Compositions of Propolis, Myroxylon pereirae Resin, and Colophonium for Patch Testing: Analyses With Gas Chromatography—Mass Spectrometry

Background: Propolis, Myroxylon pereirae resin (balsam of Peru), and colophonium are complex botanical materials that frequently co-react when patch tested. Detailed knowledge of their compositions may help explain the co-reactivity pattern and identify the haptens responsible for positive patch tests. Objective: To study the compositions of propolis, M. pereirae resin, and colophonium used for patch testing and assess whether they contain identical ingredients. Methods: The ingredients of 3 samples of propolis, 2 of M. pereirae resin and 2 of colophonium used for preparing patch test preparations by Chemotechnique and SmartPractice (brand Allergeaze) were analyzed using gas chromatography—mass spectrometry. Results: Major ingredients in Brazilian propolis were non-volatile fatty materials; in Chinese propolis tectochrysin, pinostrobin, pinocembrin, and p -vinylguaiacol; in M. pereirae resin benzyl benzoate, benzyl cinnamate and nerolidol; in colophonium Chemotechnique isoabienol, β-caryophyllene, sandaracopimarinal, sandaracopimarinol and longifolene; in colophonium Allergeaze lupeol acetate, longifolene, sandaracopimarinol, abietinal and isoabienol. Only 11 chemicals were present in 2 materials, none in all 3. Conclusions: Very few identical chemicals were found in propolis, M. pereirae resin, and colophonium. The results do not support the notion that the frequently observed co-reactivity to these complex natural materials can be explained by identical chemicals detected in this study.