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Research Project: Biobased Pesticide Discovery and Product Optimization and Enhancement from Medicinal and Aromatic Crops

Location: Natural Products Utilization Research

Title: Chemical Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of Green Propolis from the Brazilian Caatinga Biome

Author
item ALDANA-MEJIA, JENNYFER - University Of Mississippi
item RIBEIRO, VICTOR - Orise Fellow
item KATRAGUNTA, KUMAR - University Of Mississippi
item AVULA, BHARATHI - University Of Mississippi
item TATAPUDI, KIRAN - University Of Mississippi
item BASTOS, JAIRO - Federal University Of Sao Paulo
item KHAN, IKHLAS - University Of Mississippi
item Meepagala, Kumudini
item ROSS, SAMIR - University Of Mississippi

Submitted to: Plants
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/18/2024
Publication Date: 12/21/2024
Citation: Aldana-Mejia, J., Ribeiro, V., Katragunta, K., Avula, B., Tatapudi, K., Bastos, J., Khan, I., Meepagala, K.M., Ross, S. 2024. Chemical Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of Green Propolis from the Brazilian Caatinga Biome. Plants. 13:1-22. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13243576.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13243576

Interpretive Summary: Caatinga green propolis has gained attention for its rich natural compounds and potential health benefits. This study analyzed its chemical composition and tested its ability to fight harmful microorganisms. We have identified various natural substances, including flavonoids and phenolic acids. While the raw extract had a weak effect against certain drug-resistant bacteria, specific fractions containing compounds like sakuranetin and quercetin showed better antimicrobial activity. These findings suggest that Caatinga green propolis could be useful for developing new antimicrobial treatments, especially due to the combined effects of its natural compounds.

Technical Abstract: Green propolis, particularly from the unique flora of the Brazilian Caatinga biome, has gained significant interest due to its diverse chemical composition and biological activities. This study focuses on the chemical characterization and antimicrobial evaluation of Caatinga green propolis. Twelve compounds were isolated through different chromatographic techniques, including flavanones (naringenin, 7-O-methyleriodictyol, sakuranetin), flavones (hispidulin, cirsimaritin), f lavonols (quercetin, quercetin-3-methyl ether, kaempferol, 6-methoxykaempferol, viscosine, penduletin), and one chalcone (kukulkanin B). Using liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (LC-QToF-MS), a total of 55 compounds excluding reference standards were tentatively identified, which include flavonoids, phenolic acids derivatives, and alkaloids, with f lavonols, flavanones, and flavones being predominant. Antimicrobial testing against pathogens revealed that the crude extract exhibited low inhibitory activity, against Gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) (IC50: 148.4 and 120.98 µg/mL, respectively). Although the isolated compounds showed limited individual activity, a fraction containing sakuranetin and penduletin (Fraction 8) exhibited moderated activity against Cryptococcus neoformans (IC50: 47.86 µg/mL), while a fraction containing quercetin and hispidulin showed moderated activity against VRE (IC50: 16.99 µg/mL). These findings highlight the potential application of Caatinga green propolis as an antimicrobial agent, particularly against resistant bacterial strains, and underscore the importance of synergistic interactions between compounds in enhancing biological effects.