Phenolic content, flavonoid distribution, and radical-scavenging activity of honey, propolized honey, and propolis extracts from Cauca, Colombia

Honey and propolis are valued for their phenolic content and antioxidant capacity, yet propolized honey remains insufficiently characterized, particularly in botanically diverse regions such as southwestern Colombia. This study evaluated the physicochemical properties, total phenolics and flavonoids, antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS •+, IC₅₀), and phenolic composition of honey, propolized honey, and ethanolic propolis extracts from two sites in Cauca. Methods included AOAC physicochemical analyses, Folin–Ciocalteu with aluminium chloride assays, and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for phenolic profiling. Propolis extracts exhibited the highest phenolic and flavonoid content and the strongest antioxidant activity, followed by propolized honeys and pure honeys. Liquid–liquid extraction provided greater phenolic recovery than solid-phase extraction. LC–MS consistently identified key phenolic acids—caffeic, p-coumaric, ferulic, and gallic acids—while flavonoid distribution varied by matrix and region. Phenolic content correlated with antioxidant capacity, indicating that propolis-derived phenolic acids primarily drive the bioactivity of propolized honey.