Physicochemical characteristics and antimicrobial activity of the extracts propolis of the Paraiba, Brazil

Abstract

This study was aimed at analysing the propolis produced in beehive of Apis mellifera L. bee in the state of Paraiba - Brazil. Propolis was collected by the method of plastic screen, determining the physical-chemical composition and antimicrobial activity according to the period of collection of the samples. For the physical-chemical determination, it was assessed the. humidity, ashes, insoluble residues, wax, soluble solids, phenols, flavonoids and oxidation index. To study the antimicrobial activity, microorganisms Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus were used. The humidity contents, insoluble residues, ashes, soluble solids, phenols, flavonids and index of oxidation of the tested propolis varied from 1.03 to 8.58%; 23.47 to 40.38%; 1.13 to 3.25%; 31.97 to 62.54%; 1.01 to 8.13%; 0.045-0.52% and from 14 to 29 seconds, respectively. None of the etanol extracts of propolis inhibited the growth of bacteria pathogenic. It was also observed that the propolis collected in different times of the year, as well as propolis originated from of different beehives, showed different chemical composition and bioactive and that propolis sampled in periods of greater precipitation had better values of bioactive compounds. flavonoids, bees, propolis.