Antimicrobial effect of propolis taken from different regions

Propolis is a natural gummy product produced by bees. The study investigated the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidants effect, and antimicrobial effect of two propolis samples collected from different geographical areas and determined the presence of the synergistic effect of propolis on azithromycin. The TPC be determined using the method of Folin–Ciocalteu. The TFC was be determined using quercetin, the antioxidant effect determined by the DPPH• agent, and the antibacterial activity test was performed using the disc diffusion method. The MIC/MBC and the synergistic effect were determined by the broth two folds dilution method. The TFC of Ordu propolis was 79.30±3.915 mg/ml and for Hatay propolis 72.63±6.57 mg/ml. The TPC of Ordu propolis was 249.07±15.71 mg/ml, and for Hatay propolis was 98.41±2.47 mg/ml, the EC50 of Ordu propolis was 4.22 µg/ml, while Hatay propolis was 12.66 µg/ml. Both propolis samples were effective against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus), Gram-negative strains (Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae). Also, propolis showed a synergistic effect when added to the azithromycin against the tested bacteria. Different geographical origins affected the propolis chemical content and biological activity. Propolis and azithromycin combination may slow the bacterial resistance against azithromycin. Key Words: Turkish Propolis, Antioxidant Effect, Antimicrobial Effect, Total Phenolic, Total Flavonoid.