Partial characterization of ethanolic extract of Melipona beecheii propolis and in vitro evaluation of its antifungal activity

Abstract

Abstract The ethanolic extract of Melipona beecheii Bennett 1831, propolis from Yucatan Mexico was evaluated in vitro for the determination of its phenolic compound content, antioxidant capacity and antifungal activity. The results were compared against those of the ethanolic extract of Apis mellifera propolis. The total phenolic content, flavonoid content and flavanones–dihydroflavonols content were assessed by colorimetric methods. The antifungal activity was assessed in vitro against Candida albicans. For the ethanolic extract of M. beecheii propolis; total phenolic content, was 263.25\xa0±\xa08.78\xa0μg/ml, total flavonoid content was 768\xa0±\xa0204\xa0μg/ml and flavanones–dihydroflavonols content was 335.42\xa0±\xa015.08\xa0μg/ml. For antioxidant activity assessed as DPPH scavenging and iron reducing power ethanolic extract of M. beecheii propolis reported IC50 of 32.47 and 1.60\xa0μg/ml of gallic acid equivalent respectively. Regarding antifungal activity against C. albicans, the minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal fungicidal concentration for ethanolic extract of M. beecheii propolis were 1.62\xa0±\xa00.33 and 2.50\xa0±\xa00.22\xa0μg/ml of dry extract; For both minimal inhibitory concentration and minimal fungicidal concentration, ethanolic extract of M. beecheii propolis required 30% less concentration of dry extract than ethanol extract of A. mellifera propolis to exert the same antifungal actions against C. albicans. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report about the flavonoid and flavanones–dihydroflavonols content of M. beecheii propolis. Due to the lack of information available about the stingless bee s honeycomb products, the study and conservation of endemic honeybees should remain as an active focus of research.