Correlation Between Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Activity of Propolis from Different Locations in Transilvania
Abstract
Propolis is a
resinous substance collected by honeybees from buds and leaves of trees and
plants, mixing with pollen as well as enzymes secreted by bees. It is used by
bees as a glue, general-purpose sealer, and draught extruder for beehives.
Propolis contains a wide variability of
active principles (flavonoids and phenolic acids). Variations in the chemical
composition of propolis are mainly assigned to the difference in the preferred
regional plants visited by honeybees. Flavonoid and esters of phenolic acids
are generally regarded to be responsible for the antimicrobial activity of
propolis.
The aim of the present study was to
investigate the antibacterial activity of propolis samples collected from 5
counties in Transylvania (Romania) against different bacterial strains: three
Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus
aureus, Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes), two
Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and, also
different bacteria responsible for different bee diseases. The methodology used
for the determination was agar diffusion technique. Enroxil was used as
positive control and alcohol as negative control.
Keywords
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