Correlation Between Chemical Composition and Antibacterial Activity of Propolis from Different Locations in Transilvania

Year 2018, Volume: 1 Issue: 3 - 2nd Propolis Conference Special Issue, 81 - 81, 08.12.2018

Erzsébet-timea Domokos Adriana Urcan Liviu Alexandru Margıtas Daniel Severus Dezmırean Otilia Bobıs

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. 

The tested ethanolic propolis extracts are rich
sources of polyphenolic substances (high amounts of phenolic acids and
flavonoids were quantified in the samples) and show a good antibacterial
activity against Gram-positive bacteria. As for the Gram-negative bacteria the
results obtained are very different. It can be concluded that a positive
correlation exists between antibacterial activity and the content of
polyphenols and, also between antibacterial activity of extracts and some
specific compounds from propolis. 

Keywords

Chemical Composition, Antibacterial Activity, Propolis

References

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