The impact of the geographical zone on the antimicrobial activity of propolis against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and yeast Candida albicans.

Abstract

This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of three samples of propolis on 3 species of microorganisms: Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, and Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and yeast Candida albicans. The antimicrobial activity of propolis extracts is well documented, but little is known about the antimicrobial properties of propolis that vary according to the geographical region in which the propolis is obtained. The tested products were three samples of propolis from Kabarole district (HBP), Wobulenzi in Luweero district(Malaika Honey), and Namulonge, Wakiso district (Bravo bees). Antimicrobial activity was determined by the agar well diffusion technique, using Mueller Hinton media. Different concentration levels i.e., 100%, 50% and 40%, 30%, 20% of the propolis were used. Drugs chloramphenicol (250 mg) and chromatrimazole (100 mg) were used as positive controls. Results; HBP, Malaika Honey, and Bravo bees showed moderate antimicrobial (12% - 16%) activity against all tested bacteria and yeasts. The maximum antibacterial (100%) activity of the propolis extract was recorded at 100% concentration. Compared to chromatrimazole, the antibacterial activities of chloramphenicol were statistically significantly different from the propolis extract. (P = 0.05). MIC was determined for Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and yeast Candida albicans using the method of broth dilution with the propolis extract in serial concentrations. There was no significant antimicrobial activity between the propolis obtained from the three geographical zones against S. aureus (One-way ANOVA, Tukey’s post hoc, (p = 0.001) p < 0.05, P. aeruginosa (One-way ANOVA, Tukey’s post hoc, (p = 0.0015) p < 0.05 and C. albicans (One-way ANOVA, Tukey’s post hoc, (0.0685) p < 0.05. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the propolis extract was 16% HBP, 14% Malaika Honey and 12% Bravo Bees.

Key Words: Microorganisms, propolis, antimicrobial activity.