Biofriendly Extraction of Geniotrigona thoracica Propolis Using Plant-based Oils: Phytochemical Composition and Bioactivities
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11113/mjfas.v22n4.4830Keywords:
Antioxidant activity, cytotoxicity, GC-MS, plant-based extraction, stingless bee propolisAbstract
Stingless bees propolis is increasingly recognized as a rich source of bioactive compounds with potential applications in health and skincare. Conventional ethanol-based extraction raises concerns due to skin irritation and regulatory restrictions, underscoring the need for safer alternatives. This study evaluated plant-based oils as bio-friendly plant-based extraction media for Geniotrigona thoracica propolis, using coconut (COP), olive (OOP), and sunflower (SOP) oils, with ethanol (EEP) and water (WEP) as comparators. Recoverable extract yields were determined, while total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were quantified using Folin–Ciocalteu and aluminium chloride colorimetric assays, respectively. Phytochemical composition was profiled by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Antioxidant activities were assessed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, while cytotoxicity towards human keratinocytes (HaCaT) was determined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. COP achieved the highest recoverable extract yield (10.00%) and TPC (54.40 mg GAE/g), statistically comparable to EEP (53.50 mg GAE/g) but significantly higher than other extracts. TFC was greatest in EEP (66.54 mg QE/g), followed by COP (46.55 mg QE/g). GC-MS analysis revealed distinct chemical fingerprints across extracts, encompassing fatty acids, esters, aldehydes, hydrocarbons, and phenolic derivatives. COP exhibited significantly stronger DPPH radical scavenging capacity (50.85 ± 8.70%) than all other extracts, while its ferric reducing capacity (659.00 µM Fe²⁺) was comparable to EEP (597.37 µM Fe²⁺). For ABTS, EEP (33.13 ± 4.48%) and COP (26.60 ± 2.88%) did not differ significantly and were both higher than the other extracts. All extracts were non-toxic to HaCaT cells at the concentrations tested. Overall, coconut oil demonstrated a favorable balance of phytochemical recovery, strong antioxidant activity, and cytocompatibility, supporting its potential as a plant-based extraction medium for bio-friendly propolis-based dermatological formulations.
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