Antimicrobial properties of Libyan propolis against Staphylococcus aureus

Najat Hossin Sarkez

doi:10.54361/ljmr.v8i1.09

Authors

Najat Hossin Sarkez Department of Microbiology, National Medical Research Center, Zawia, Libya Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54361/ljmr.v8i1.09

Abstract

Libyan propolis Libyan propolis, bee glue" produced by honey bees feeding on plant buds, leaves and exudates was obtained from hives of apiary in Zawia area of western Libya. Its antimicrobial properties against pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase positive obtained from Central hospital, Tripoli. The effects of ethanloic extract of propolis against S. aureus under different incubation temperatures (6, 20 and 37 C), salt concentrations (5 and 10%), and pH values (3.5, 6.3) was investigated. Several fractions were obtained during the partial purification of propolis: crude ethanolic extract, resinous material ethanolic solution, and alkaline hydrolysis of water soluble compounds solution. Tests conducted included measurement of inhibition zone by the disk diffusion method, minimal inhibitory concentration by tube dilution method, and minimal bactericidal concentration by agar plating. Only crude ethanolic extract of propolis exhibited effective inhibition zone at different seed concentrations: a diameter of 19.62 mm at 30 mg/150 µl (w/v) and 19.73 mm at 40 mg/ 200 µl (w/v). There was no antibacterial effect of the extract at 10 mg/50 µl concentration. The minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal bactericidal concentration were found at 26.04 mg/ml, and 34.72 mg/ml respectively. Higher temperature (37 ºC) under natural acidic pH of 3.5 enhanced the antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extract of propolis, while high salt concentration, 10%, showed no added antibacterial effect. Possible use of propolis extract as food or pharmaceutical preservative, or topical treatment for skin diseases caused by S. aureus is encouraging and feasible.

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