Phenolic Content, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Egyptian and Chinese Propolis

Abstract

Propolis is a resinous mixture that honeybees collect from tree buds, sap flows, or other botanical sources. It is used as a sealant for unwanted open spaces in the hive. Propolis is sticky at and above room temperature, 20°C (68°F). At lower temperatures, it becomes hard and very brittle. The aim of this study is to explore the phenolic contents and identify of the Egyptian and Chinese propolis and their biological activity potentiality, especially antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Egyptian and Chinese propolis contained considerable amounts of phenolic compounds. The Egyptian propolis contains phenolic content a little bit greater than Chinese propolis. The Egyptian propolis showed an antioxidant activity higher than Chinese. IC of Egyptian propolis was (73.49 µg/ml) and (81.67 µg/ml) for Chinese propolis, whereas the IC for 50 50 L-Ascorbic acid as positive control was (39.62 µg/ml). The HPLC analysis of Egyptian and Chinese propolis approved reasonable and different concentrations of phenolic compounds in both Egyptian and Chinese Propolis. The Egyptian propolis contains high concentration levels of tannic acid (10.64 µg/g), catechol (8.12 µg/g) and caffeic acid (7.435 µg/g). The Egyptian propolis showed a highest toxicity against Bacillus subtilis DB 100 host and Streptococcus sp. (IZD= 18 and 20 mm) respectively. On the other hand, Chinese propolis showed a highest antimicrobial activity and toxicity against Candida albicans and Bacillus subtilis (IZD=20mm) for both strains.