Antifungal activity of microcapsule propolis from Tetragonula spp. To Candida albicans

Abstract

Propolis is a mixture of resin and saliva of Tetragonula spp. that have an antifungal activity. The purpose of this study was to develop spray-dried microcapsule propolis (SDMP) and to analyze its antifungal activity to Candida albicans. The SDMP was obtained using maltodextrin and gum Arabic coating with a spray drying method. The antifungal activity of SDMP of rough propolis (taken from the outside beehive) and smooth propolis (taken from the inside beehive) was analyzed. The macroscopic characterization showed that SDMP had a brownish-yellow powder form and a spherical uniform particle with the size of 9.32 - 14.61 ìm. The encapsulation efficiency of SDMP of smooth and rough type was 81.22% and 83.04%; moisture content of 5.58% and 5.84%; water solubility of 98.19% and 98.31%, respectively. The diameter of microbial inhibitory to C. albicans was in the range of 6.33±1.5 to 10±2.5 mm. SDMP displayed remarkable activity in the assays against C. albicans.