Antibacterial activity of three ethanolic extracts of propolis from the municipalities of Sevilla, Cartago, and Armenia, Colombia, against MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus)

Abstract

Introduction: Staphylococcus aureus is a pathogen commonly associated with hospital and community-acquired infections, particularly methicillin-resistant strains that impose limi- tations on treatment options. The resistance of these strains to beta-lactam antibiotics has spurred the search for new antimicrobial sources, and natural products such as propolis extracts have demonstrated efficacy against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The an- timicrobial activity of propolis depends to the flora used by the bees to make the propolis. Aim: This study aims to determine the antibacterial activity of three ethanolic extracts of propolis from the municipalities of Sevilla, Cartago, and Armenia, Colombia, against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Methodology: The methodology involved obtaining ethanolic extracts of propolis collected from different regions of Colombia, followed by fractionation and identification of the propolis with the highest bactericidal activity. Subsequently, an analysis using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectro- metry (GC-MS) was identified the predominant compound in the selected fractions. Re- sults: All three propolis samples evaluated in this study demonstrated bactericidal activity at concentration of 10 mg/mL, with the Cartago propolis showing concentrations below 5 mg/mL. Chromatographic analysis identified 3-Hexadecyloxycarbonyl-5-(2-hydroxye- thyl) as the predominant compound. Conclusion: In conclusion, the need for additional research to understand the pharmacological potential of Colombian propolis, specifically the bactericidal activity of Cartago propolis against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus.