Effect of Propolis as a food additive on the growth rate of the beneficial bacteria

Propolis has been used as a medicinal agent to treat infections and promote wound healing for centuries. The aim of the present study was to test the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and probiotic activities of a commercial Saudi Arabian propolis (SAP) and analyze its chemical composition. The antimicrobial activity was tested against the pathogenic microbes Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus. The best results were found for Klebsiella pneumonia (32 mm). The ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) has high sequestrating activity for the free radical DPPH. The water extract showed positive activity toward probiotic bacteria. In GCMS of EEP, nine new compounds were found, among which were two isoflavones. Our results showed that the propolis has biological active compounds that had never been reported in other types of Saudi Arabian propolis.