Propolis is a honey bee product containing resin derived from plants. It has been shown that propolis protects beehives against infections and enhances their immunity. The honey bee favorite source of resin for propolis production in southeast Brazil is Baccharis dracunculifolia (Asteraceae), a species not adapted to grow inside forests. Colonies of Africanized honey bees were placed in a clearing inside the Atlantic Forest in Ubatuba (São Paulo state, Brazil), aiming to obtain a distinct type of propolis, containing resin derived from local plants. It was expected that the chemical composition of the propolis could afford means to suggest likely plant sources of resin. Propolis was eventually obtained, from which a volatile oil was extracted by steam distillation and analyzed by GC-EI-MS. Thirty-one constituents were characterized, among them some typical constituents of Baccharis dracunculifolia, which, however, appeared as minor constituents. The most abundant components of the oil were benzyl benzoate (45.3%) and benzyl salicylate (10.04%). Both volatile esters have been detected in volatile oils from species of Peperomia and Piper. The essential oil of Peperomia tetraphylla, an epiphytic herb inhabiting the Atlantic Forest, contains benzyl benzoate and benzyl salicylate in proportions close to the oil of the propolis obtained. Both phytogeography and chemical composition are consistent with Piper or Peperomia species as the resin source of the propolis analyzed. This is the first report pointing out species of Piperaceae as likely origin of propolis.

蜂胶是一种含有来自植物的树脂的蜜蜂产品。已经表明，蜂胶可以保护蜂箱免受感染并增强其免疫力。巴西东南部蜜蜂最喜欢的蜂胶生产树脂来源是Baccharis dracunculifolia（菊科），一种不适应在森林内生长的物种。非洲化蜜蜂群被放置在乌巴图巴（巴西圣保罗州）大西洋森林内的空地中，目的是获得一种独特类型的蜂胶，其中含有来自当地植物的树脂。预计蜂胶的化学成分可以提供建议可能的树脂植物来源的方法。最终获得蜂胶，通过蒸汽蒸馏从中提取挥发油并通过 GC-EI-MS 进行分析。表征了 31 种成分，其中一些典型的Baccharis dracunculifolia成分，然而，它作为次要成分出现。油中含量最多的成分是苯甲酸苄酯 (45.3%) 和水杨酸苄酯 (10.04%)。在Peperomia和Piper物种的挥发油中检测到这两种挥发性酯。Peperomia tetraphylla 的精油是一种栖息在大西洋森林的附生草本植物，含有苯甲酸苄酯和水杨酸苄酯，其比例接近于所获得的蜂胶油。既地理学和化学组成是一致荜或椒草物种作为蜂胶的树脂源进行分析。这是第一份指出胡椒科物种可能是蜂胶来源的报告。