A mini report on palynological and antibacterial tests of four propolis samples from different regional origins

Abstract

In this study, palynological and antibacterial tests of propolis samples from Iran-Turan (IP1 and IP2), Mediterranean (MP), and Europe-Siberia (EP) phytogeographical regions were performed. The pollens of Asteraceae, Betulaceae, Boraginaceae, Brassicaceae, Campanulaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Fabaceae, Fagacee, Lamiaceae, Pinaceae, Salicaceae, Ranunculaceae, Rosaceae and Scrophulariaceae taxa were found in the palynological analysis. However, gram negative and gram positive bacteria were used to determine in vitro antibacterial activities of the propolis samples. The most potent inhibitory effect against the target microorganisms was obtained from IP1. The most resistant strains were Burkholderia cepacia, Citrobacter freundii and Streptococcus pneumoniae for all the propolis samples. But, the antibacterial activity levels of the samples were quite different from each other. These results indicate that propolis can be assessed in different areas such as cosmetic, medicine and food as an antimicrobial agent.