Effect of Propolis on Two Bacterial Species with Probiotic Potential

Abstract

The increase in viable cell numbers and the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) by Bifidobacterium infantis and Lactobacillus acidophilus - both of human intestinal origin - were measured over 16 h at 37^o in reconstituted skim-milk (100 g/l) and in skim-milk with different concentrations of propolis extracted from hives located at the University of Jordan. Increasing levels of propolis from 100 - 800 mg/100 ml of milk inhibited significantly the growth of Bif. infantis over the control with no propolis, but even 800 mg/100 ml had a stimulatory effect on L. acidophilus. The final values for acetic (12.1 g/l), propionic (2.7 g/l) and butyric (1.4 g/l) acids secreted by Bif. infantis were much higher than those observed in milk alone, while L. acidophilus released detectable amounts of propionic and butyric acids. As these SCFA are essential for health of the human colon, it is suggested that propolis taken as a medicine could, in spite of the adverse effect on the growth of Bif. infantis, offer an additional benefit as a stimulant of the metabolism of the intestinal microflora.