Antibacterial Activity and Chemical Composition of Turkish Propolis

Abstract

The antibacterial activities of propolis samples have been examined in vitro, according to the principles accepted for the determination of a similar activity of antibiotics with the use of solid and liquid media. It has been found that propolis extracts showed antibacterial activity through a range of commonly encountered gram positive cocci (5. aureus, beta hem. Streptococus), but had weak activity against gram negative bacteria (E . coli, P. aeruginosa). GC/MS analysis showed that propolis samples contain a variety of chemical compounds in­ cluding aromatic compounds, fatty acid esters and sesquiterpenes.