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Updated: Aug 30, 2026
Extraction and Analysis of Taiwanese Green Propolis
Published on: January 7, 2019
Exploiting the Potential of Propolis: A Multifaceted Approach to Applications and Sustainable Practices
Anchu Rachel Thomas1, N Hemapriya2, A Malarvizhi2
1Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Manipal University College, Melaka, Malaysia.
Background:
Propolis is a resinous natural product produced by honeybees and is known for its diverse phytochemical composition and biological activities. Its bioactive constituents and potential use in the green synthesis of nanoparticles have attracted increasing interest for antimicrobial and anticancer applications.
Objectives:
To evaluate the phytochemical composition, antibacterial activity, and anticancer potential of ethanol and acetone extracts of propolis and to investigate the synthesis, characterization, and biological activities of propolis-mediated silver nanoparticles (AgNPs).
Materials And Methods:
Propolis collected from Melaka, Malaysia, was extracted with ethanol and acetone using Soxhlet extraction. The extracts were subjected to qualitative phytochemical analysis and thin-layer chromatography. Antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus and Enterococcus faecalis was evaluated using the well diffusion method. Anticancer activity against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells was assessed using the MTT assay. AgNPs were synthesized using the propolis extracts through a green synthesis approach and characterized using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The antibacterial and anticancer activities of the synthesized AgNPs were subsequently evaluated.
Results:
Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and terpenoids in both extracts, whereas alkaloids were detected only in the ethanol extract. The acetone extract demonstrated antibacterial activity against B. cereus, with inhibition zones ranging from 10 to 13 mm at the tested concentrations, whereas no inhibition was observed against E. faecalis. The ethanol extract showed no inhibitory activity against either bacterial strain. Both propolis extracts exhibited concentration-dependent anticancer activity against MDA-MB-231 cells, with IC₅₀ values of 183.14 μg/mL and 192.61 μg/mL for the ethanol and acetone extracts, respectively. Propolis-mediated AgNPs were successfully synthesized and characterized by UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy. The AgNPs also demonstrated concentration-dependent anticancer activity, with IC₅₀ values of 127.23 μg/mL for ethanol-derived AgNPs and 141.72 μg/mL for acetone-derived AgNPs.
Conclusion:
Ethanol and acetone extracts of propolis contain bioactive phytochemicals and exhibit anticancer activity, while the acetone extract demonstrated antibacterial activity against B. cereus. Green synthesis of propolis-mediated AgNPs enhanced the anticancer activity of the extracts, supporting their potential for further investigation in biotechnological and therapeutic applications.
