Characterization of Chinese crude propolis by pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

•Analysis of crude propolis was performed by Py–GC/MS without any pretreatments.•76 compounds were identified and grouped into 8 categories.•Both low and high molecular components in propolis were analyzed by Py–GC/MS.•The major categories of Chinese propolis were flavonoids, esters or hydrocarbons.