Abstract

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Propolis (bee glue) is a sticky dark-colored material that honeybees collect from plants and use in the hive, which contains higher amounts of bioactive components. The study was aimed at evaluating phytochemical constituents and antibacterial activity of propolis extract against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Phytochemical analyses of the extract were carried out using qualitative and quantitative procedures. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were isolated and identified using Bergy’s manual of determinative bacteria. Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of extracts was carried out using the agar well diffusion method. The result of antibacterial activity showed that Escherichia coli had the higher zone of inhibition in ethanolic extract than in aqueous at the concentration of 50mg/ml and 25mg/ml (18.5+0.17 and 10.0+0.17), (4.0+2.67 and 3.3+0.89) respectively, the higher the concentration the higher the zone of inhibition. The result of phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, alkaloids, tannins, phenolics, flavonoids, steroids, and cardiac glycosides in ethanolic extract while anthraquinone was not detected. While quantitative phytochemical screening revealed that phenolic compounds had the highest absorbance followed by flavonoids and tannins. The ethanolic extract of propolis can be an alternative material for treating skin and wound infection

Keywords: Anthraquinone, Phytochemicals, Propolis, and Staphylococcus aureus