Advancements in red propolis: a technological prospection for antimicrobial applications

Abstract

The red propolis is a bee product with great biotechnological potential due to its antimicrobial and therapeutic properties. The present study used technological mapping to investigate the antimicrobial activities of red propolis in patents deposited in Brazil (INPI) and in international databases such as the European Patent Office (Espacenet) and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The results indicated that Brazil holds the highest number of patents related to red propolis, and propolis produced in Alagoas was the most cited. Class A61K was the most frequent, suggesting strong therapeutic potential, especially in dental applications. Public universities were the main patent depositors, with institutions in Alagoas standing out. The data also revealed potential for patent deposits in areas such as agriculture and new pharmaceutical applications, including the production of controlled-release devices and the synthesis of nanomaterials. Red propolis is a promising raw material for the development of products with antimicrobial activity, and the deposited patents indicate a growing interest in exploring its properties in various areas, including the pharmaceutical industry and agriculture.