1. Wstęp. 2. Ogólna charakterystyka propolisu. 3. Aktywność przeciwbakteryjna propolisu. 4. Podsumowanie

Abstract: Propolis is a natural product which honey bees (Apis mellifera) manufacture from balsamic resins, actively secreted by plants on leaf buds and barks. The chemical composition of propolis is highly variable. More than 300 compounds, such as polyphenols, phenolic aldehydes, sesquiterpene, quinines, coumarins, amino acids, steroids and inorganic compounds, have been identified in propolis samples. The content depends on the specific local flora at the site of collection, on the season of collection and also on the local climate. Propolis is a complex mixture of balsams, resins, waxes, essential oils, pollen and other substances which are used by bees in the construction, repair and protection of their hives, mainly thanks to its mechanical properties, antiseptic efficacy and antimicrobial activity. Because of the broad spectrum of biological activities, propolis is still used in traditional medicine. In this article, we review the current knowledge about propolis geographic diversity and its antimicrobial activity.

1. Introduction. 2. General characteristics of propolis. 3. The antimicrobial activity of propolis. 4. Conclusion