Medical Effects and Extraction of Apis Mellifera. L in Southern Albania

Xhejni Borshi

Bee products have attracted the attention of consumers and researchers due to their curative properties and their chemical composition. Propolis (Apis Mellifera, L) is one of the bee products which are formed by mixing the wax and resinous substances with glycosidase enzyme present in the spit of bees. This product is used by bees to protect the hive from external inflows, pollution and keeps under control the temperature of the bees hive. Studies have shown that propolis presents a high number of biological and pharmacological properties as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer. In this study the extractions of propolis are carried out by liquid CO₂ under pressure at 0⁰C, 20⁰C and 40⁰C. Propolis is collected in the southern Albania and the amount used for every the extractions is about 16 grams. The extraction carried out at 40⁰C gave the best yield of 9.5 %, whereas the extractions at 0⁰C and 20⁰C gave rise to lower yields of 1.9 % and 4.9 % respectively.