The Possibility of Propolis Extract Application in Wood Protection

Abstract

Nowadays, there is a growing interest in extending the service life of wood and wood products by applying natural substances that are harmless to humans and the environment. In this paper, propolis was used as an eco-friendly wood preservative. The aim of this study was to determine the resistance of Scots pine wood treated with the propolis extract against brown-rot fungus Coniophora puteana. The wood biodegradation was assessed by gravimetric method, as well as by the analysis of ergosterol concentration in decayed wood and by the determination of changes in the wood structure by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results indicated that the impregnation of wood with propolis extract above 12% concentration limited fungal decay. The mass loss of wood treated with 18.9% propolis extract was 2.3% and was over 21 times lower than that for untreated wood. The analysis of ergosterol content and the changes in wood structure also confirmed that the propolis extract above 12% concentration protected wood against decay caused by C. puteana. Moreover, the propolis extract used in wood impregnation was rich in phenolic compounds, mainly chrysin, pinocembrin and galangin, which possess antimicrobial activity. The obtained results indicate that the extract of Polish propolis can be a promising natural wood preservative, safe for humans and the natural environment.

Natural Compounds for Wood Protection against Fungi—A Review

“…The results show that even though its effect on wood properties was mediocre, it could be a welcome addition to wood finishes based on natural ingredients [ 149 , 157 , 158 ]. Due to the proven antifungal properties, however, propolis has also been conceived as a potential natural and an environmentally-friendly wood preservative against moulds and wood-decaying fungi [ 150 , 159 , 160 , 161 , 162 ].…”

“…Woźniak et al showed that ethanol extracts of Polish propolis of concentration exceeding 12% limited effectively decay of Scots pine wood by C. puteana [ 161 ]. The higher the propolis content in a solution was, the better antifungal effect was achieved, reaching a wood mass loss of 5.9%, 3.3%, 2.3% and 2.7% for propolis concentration of 7.5%, 12%, 18.9% and 30%, respectively.…”

Propolis and Organosilanes as Innovative Hybrid Modifiers in Wood-Based Polymer Composites

“…Therefore, in recent years, literature sources have reported growing interest in wood impregnation applications of natural products and synthetic compounds characterized by low impact on human health and the environment, including essential oils, chitosan, and terpenes [ 20 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. Another example in this respect may be provided by propolis, a natural substance with various biological properties, such as antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, and antiviral [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. Compared to untreated wood, the material treated with propolis extracts exhibits activity against decay fungi, such as Coniophora puteana , Trametes versicolor , and Neolentinus lepiseus [ 32 , 33 ].…”

“…Another example in this respect may be provided by propolis, a natural substance with various biological properties, such as antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, and antiviral [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. Compared to untreated wood, the material treated with propolis extracts exhibits activity against decay fungi, such as Coniophora puteana , Trametes versicolor , and Neolentinus lepiseus [ 32 , 33 ]. Literature data indicated that the extract of Polish propolis at a concentration above 12% limited the decay of pine wood caused by C. puteana [ 33 ].…”

Effect of the Solvent on Propolis Phenolic Profile and its Antifungal, Antioxidant, and In Vitro Cytoprotective Activity in Human Erythrocytes Under Oxidative Stress

“…Chrysin, galangin, and pinocembrin are common flavonoids identified in propolis samples from various regions of Poland [ 4 , 8 , 9 , 19 , 20 ]. In addition, hesperetin, apigenin, kaempferol, naringenin, pinobanksin, quercetin, and phenolic acids, including caffeic, coumaric, ferulic, vanillic, gallic, and genistic acids, have also been identified in Polish propolis [ 4 , 8 , 9 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Fatty acids, ketones, enzymes, sterols, terpenes, minerals, and coumarins were also identified in propolis samples of various botanical origin [ 6 , 11 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ].…”