Antimicrobial activity of Malaysia stingless bees propolis against streptococcus mutans (s.mutans)

Bacteria strain Streptococcus mutans, ATCC 25175, was obtained from Health Science Faculty. The propolis samples were harvested from the sealant and pots of Geniotrigona itama and Heteretrigona thoracica stingless bee hives in Lenggong, Perak. The propolis were labelled as HIP, HIS, GTP and GTS. This study was conducted to identify the antimicrobial activity of propolis against S.mutans. The bacteria was subcultured to maintain its growth. Agar well diffusion method had been used to determine the antimicrobial activity of these propolis by measuring the zone of inhibition around the wells. Results obtained showed that HIS had the largest inhibition zone which was 18.9 ± 1.63mm (128mg/ml) , 16.7 ± 3.47mm (64mg/ml) and 15.5 ± 4.50mm (32mg/ml). Then, total phenolic content (TPC) test was conducted using Follin-Ciocalteu method to determine the amount of phenolic compound in the propolis samples. After comparing with standard curve of gallic acid, HIS propolis had showed to have the highest TPC compared to the others which is 0.113 mg GAE/1 mg. There is a positive correlation between antimicrobial activity with total phenolic content in propolis sample. The antimicrobial activity of propolis is stronger when there is a high amount of phenolic content in the propolis sample.