Abstract

The antimicrobial activity of propolis against 9 species of gram –positive and gram –negative bacteria and 2 strains of Candida albicans were tested by the agar-well diffusion method. The propolis impacts a nature and molecular pattern of Candida albicans were evaluated by SDS–PAGE and RAPD–PCR techniques. Ethanolic extracts of propolis (EEP) exerted a significant inhibitory effect on the tested pathogenic bacteria and fungi, particularly at concentrations 50 and 100 mg/ml. The antibacterial activity of EEP was higher against Gram-positive bacteria than gram- negative bacteria. The maximum inhibition zones were recorded against Micrococcus sp and MRSA followed by Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans 2, Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus sp, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans 1. The least activity was against recorded Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) has similar or greater inhibitory effect than the standard antibiotics tested. Molecular characterization of Candida albicans by RAPD analysis clearly showed the effects of propolis on gene expression.

Key words: Propolis, Pathogenic Bacteria, Candida albicans, RAPD-PCR amplification condition, SDS-PAGE of cell protein, Antibiotics.