CARACTERIZACIóN FISICOQUíMICA DEL PROPóLEO DE LA REGIóN DEL BAJO CAUCA ANTIOQUE？O (ANTIOQUIA, COLOMBIA)

propolis is a resinous substance collected by apis mellifera bees from exudates of plants. in the present study, organoleptic and physicochemical characteristics of 18 samples of propolis from three apiaries located in the region of bajo cauca antioque？o (colombia) were evaluated. the samples were collected in three different periods by methods of mesh and scraping. the physicochemical characterization of propolis was performed according to protocols recommended by the brazilian ministry of agriculture. the results obtained showed differences in the sensorial profiles of the samples analyzed. the content of alcohol extractable materials (eep), waxes, insoluble material, moisture, ash and melting point of the tested propolis varied from 6,5 to 25,8%; 2,0 to 33,6%; 45,1 to 94,1%; 1,3 to 8,2%; 0,9 to 2,3%, and 58 to 81°c, respectively. the biplot representation showed a direct correlation between the wax and eep content, and an inverse relationship with the content of insoluble material. additionally, it was also established that propolis samples collected by scraping method showed the highest moisture, waxes and eep contents and the lowest percentages of insoluble material.