Pollen analysis of Brazilian propolis

Eleven samples of Brazilian propolis were analysed for their pollen content: seven from the state of Rio de Janeiro, three from Minas Gerais and one from Rio Grande do Sul. A standard methodology for the analysis of Brazilian samples of propolis in terms of their pollen content is proposed. The preparation of a sample of the sediment just prior to acetolysis is useful in order to examine plant hairs (trichomes) and other plant structures not resistant this procedure. The most important pollen types detected were Eupatorium‐type, Cecropia‐type and Eucalyptus‐type each one certainly comprising more than one plant species with similar morphology. Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia type dominated in a sample collected next to the city of Rio de Janeiro. It was possible to characterize a sample coming from the state of Rio Grande do Sul relative to the samples obtained from the two other states. The influence of the large city of Rio de Janeiro could be recognized in the pollen spectra of propolis collected in its vicinity. Pollen of plant species characteristic of the southeast Atlantic forest could be determined in some samples. The importance of pollen grains from anemophilous plant species is emphasized.