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Review
. 2019 May 29;24(11):2047.
doi: 10.3390/molecules24112047.

Antibacterial Properties of Propolis

Izabela Przybyłek  1 , Tomasz M Karpiński  2
Affiliations
Review

Antibacterial Properties of Propolis

Izabela Przybyłek et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

Researchers are continuing to discover all the properties of propolis due to its complex composition and associated broad spectrum of activities. This review aims to characterize the latest scientific reports in the field of antibacterial activity of this substance. The results of studies on the influence of propolis on more than 600 bacterial strains were analyzed. The greater activity of propolis against Gram-positive bacteria than Gram-negative was confirmed. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity of propolis from different regions of the world was compared. As a result, high activity of propolis from the Middle East was found in relation to both, Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) strains. Simultaneously, the lowest activity was demonstrated for propolis samples from Germany, Ireland and Korea.

Keywords: Escherichia coli; Staphylococcus aureus; antibacterial; bee product; polyphenols; propolis; terpenoids.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Composition of propolis.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Flavonoids found in propolis: (a) chrysin; (b) pinocembrin; (c) apigenin; (d) galangin; (e) kaempferol; (f) quercetin; (g) tectochrysin; (h) pinostrobin.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Aromatic acids present in propolis: (a) ferulic acid; (b) cinnamic acid; (c) caffeic acid; (d) benzoic acid; (e) salicylic acid; (f) p-cumaric acid.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Substances responsible for characteristic fragrance of propolis: (a) phenolic compound artepillin C; terpenes: (b) camphor; (c) terpineol; (d) geraniol; (e) nerol; (f) farnesol.
Figure 5
Figure 5
The mechanisms of propolis activity against bacteria.
Figure 6
Figure 6
A number of studies with the ten most-analyzed bacterial strains in terms of sensitivity to propolis extracts.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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