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An in vitro study on antimicrobial activity of propolis from Mugla province of Turkey
1Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Mugla University, Kotekli-Mugla, Turkey. augur@mu.edu.tr
Abstract:
Antibacterial and antifungal activities of acetone and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) extracts of 45 different propolis samples from the Mugla province of Turkey were investigated. Antimicrobial activity of propolis varied depending on propolis sample, dosage of propolis, and the extraction solvents for all test microorganisms. Antimicrobial activity of all propolis samples increased with increasing dosage without reaching a plateau at the highest dosage tested. Except for Brucella melitensis, the DMSO extracts of all propolis samples were more active than the acetone extracts of the same samples. For B. melitensis, the acetone extracts of all propolis samples showed greater activity. The most sensitive microorganism to propolis was Shigella sonnei in the gram-negative group and Streptococcus mutans in the gram-positive group. The least sensitive microorganism was Candida albicans. A control test run with standard antibiotics revealed that propolis samples from the Mugla province of Turkey has a similar or greater inhibitory effect on S. mutans, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, S. sonnei, and C. albicans growth.
Insights
Turkish propolis extracts exhibit significant antibacterial and antifungal properties. DMSO extracts generally showed higher antimicrobial activity than acetone extracts against most tested microorganisms.
Area of Science:
- Natural Products Chemistry
- Microbiology
- Pharmacognosy
Background:
- Propolis, a resinous mixture collected by honeybees, possesses diverse biological activities.
- Investigating regional variations in propolis composition and efficacy is crucial for its potential applications.
- The Mugla province in Turkey is a significant source of diverse propolis types.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antibacterial and antifungal potential of propolis samples from Turkey's Mugla province.
- To compare the efficacy of different extraction solvents (acetone and dimethyl sulfoxide) on antimicrobial activity.
- To identify the most susceptible microorganisms to propolis extracts.
Main Methods:
- Acetone and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) extracts were prepared from 45 distinct propolis samples.
- Antimicrobial activity was assessed against a panel of gram-negative, gram-positive bacteria, and fungi.
- Dosage-dependent activity and comparative efficacy of extraction solvents were analyzed.
- Results were compared against standard antibiotic controls.
Main Results:
- Antimicrobial activity varied significantly based on propolis source, dosage, and extraction solvent.
- Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) extracts demonstrated superior activity against most tested microorganisms compared to acetone extracts, with exceptions noted for Brucella melitensis.
- Shigella sonnei and Streptococcus mutans were the most sensitive bacteria, while Candida albicans was the least sensitive.
- Propolis extracts exhibited comparable or superior inhibitory effects to standard antibiotics against several pathogens.
Conclusions:
- Propolis from Turkey's Mugla province possesses potent broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties.
- Extraction solvent choice significantly influences the antimicrobial efficacy of propolis.
- The findings support the potential therapeutic use of Turkish propolis as a natural antimicrobial agent.
