2021/07/02 by Ruby Mountford-McAuley, Jason Prior, Andrea Clavijo McCormick
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Bee Products Chemical Analysis #Insect Pest Control Strategies #Insect and Pesticide Research
paper · doi:10.1080/00218839.2021.1938456
crossref issued 2021/07/02 · crossref published 2021/07/02 · crossref published-online 2021/07/02 · openalex publication_date 2021/07/02 · crossref created 2021/07/02 · crossref published-print 2023/01/01 · crossref deposited 2023/01/24 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · crossref indexed 2026/07/29 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
As interest in propolis as a human medicinal product increases, so too does interest in its botanical sources and production. While literature reviewing the chemical constituents and therapeutic properties of propolis is relatively thorough, work regarding the biological, ecological, and environmental factors affecting propolis production is rarer. In this review, literature investigating factors that affect propolis production was compiled with the aim of informing producers on how to improve propolis quality and quantity; and researchers on the knowledge gaps to guide future studies. We identified six factors as being determinants to propolis production: the botanical origin of the resin, honey bee genetics, hive structure, food availability, environmental factors, and disease. This article advocates the importance of future research into these and other factors that affect propolis production.