Antimicrobial Activity of Some Commercial Extracts of Propolis Prepared with Different Solvents

Abstract

Some commercial extracts of propolis obtained with different solvents were tested to evaluate their antibacterial and antifungal activity. All propolis preparations exhibited antimicrobial activity, particularly against Gram-positive bacteria, yeasts and dermatophytes with zones of inhibition ranging from 3 to 30 mm. Against yeasts and dermatophytes, oil, ethanol and propylene glycol solutions showed an inhibition for more 2 weeks, while the glycerine solution maintained inhibition only for some days. The results indicate that the solvent employed for the extraction may enhance the potency of the antimicrobial activity of propolis. Consistency in the properties and characteristics of propolis were related to the formulation of extraction procedures.