Propolis from the Mediterranean region: chemical composition and antimicrobial activity

Z Naturforsch C J Biosci. 2000 Sep-Oct;55(9-10):790-3. doi: 10.1515/znc-2000-9-1019.

Abstract

The chemical composition of propolis from Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece and Algeria was investigated by GC-MS. All of them contained mainly flavonoids and esters of caffeic and ferulic acids, which indicated that their main source are buds of poplars of the taxonomic section Aegieros. Some Turkish samples contained a low percent of diterpenic acids, while in Algerian samples significant amounts of a hydroxyditerpenic acid (M=322, its structure not determined by its MS) were found. All samples showed significant antibacterial and weak to moderate antifungal activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algeria
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents*
  • Bees
  • Bulgaria
  • Carbohydrates / analysis
  • Carboxylic Acids / analysis
  • Cycadopsida
  • Diterpenes / analysis
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects*
  • Escherichia coli / growth & development
  • Esters / analysis
  • Fatty Acids / analysis
  • Flavonoids / analysis
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Greece
  • Mediterranean Region
  • Propolis / chemistry*
  • Propolis / pharmacology*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / growth & development
  • Trees
  • Turkey

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Carbohydrates
  • Carboxylic Acids
  • Diterpenes
  • Esters
  • Fatty Acids
  • Flavonoids
  • Propolis