Analysis and evaluation of quality parameters of commercial propolis products using a new high Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method and Comparison of antimicrobial properties

•Propolis products sold in markets were collected.•The quantities and quality parameters of bioactive components were evaluated.•Its antimicrobial properties were evaluated.•Specific extraction methods have been developed for each product type.•HPLC analysis was performed separately and the results were interpreted. Propolis, which has an important place in functional foods, is a natural bee product with high biological active value and is consumed in different formulations and packages worldwide. Thanks to the active compounds it contains, propolis shows biological properties such as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiprotozoal, antitumoral, antiulcer and anti-inflammatory. However, it is seen that propolis supplements are prepared unconsciously in the market. Such commercial products need to be standardized. Within the scope of this study, characteristic compounds of Turkish propolis were initially determined with support from the literature. Subsequently, bioactive components of 23 commercial propolis products were analyzed using the new HPLC method. Then, the flavonoid content and antimicrobial activity of the samples were determined. According to the results of these analyses, the amounts of Caffeic Acid (2,16–1620,57 ppm, Quercetin (0,19–203,99 ppm), Apigenin (0,30–319,08 ppm), Kaempferol (0,56–251,15 ppm), Chrysin (3,97–2830,93 ppm), and Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (13,08–9666,48 ppm) were found to be quite different. The highest flavonoid content was measured as P2: 20847,43 mg/L and the lowest was 00003,10 mg/L in sample P13. Samples prepared for children were found to be highly diluted in terms of content. Again, it was determined that the samples with high preservation of active ingredients were products with production certificates based on laboratory analyzes. The samples were generally found to have inhibition activity against Gram (+) bacteria. Propolis samples P6 and P22 showed high activity against Gram (+) and Gram (−) bacteria and even fungi. When we evaluated some products that are insufficient in terms of content and antimicrobial activity, it was observed that antimicrobial activity increased depending on the other auxiliary chemicals used in the products. In this context, propolis products, which are very valuable in terms of health, may lose their real activity due to uncontrolled production and will gradually be devalued in the market. It is important that this valuable product should be produced and offered to the market w