Promising Antimicrobial Properties of Bioactive Compounds from Different Honeybee Products

Molecules. 2021 Jun 30;26(13):4007. doi: 10.3390/molecules26134007.

Abstract

Bee products have been known for centuries for their versatile healing properties. In recent decades they have become the subject of documented scientific research. This review aims to present and compare the impact of bee products and their components as antimicrobial agents. Honey, propolis, royal jelly and bee venom are bee products that have antibacterial properties. Sensitivity of bacteria to these products varies considerably between products and varieties of the same product depending on their origin. According to the type of bee product, different degrees of activity were observed against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeasts, molds and dermatophytes, as well as biofilm-forming microorganisms. Pseudomonas aeruginosa turned out to be the most resistant to bee products. An analysis of average minimum inhibitory concentration values for bee products showed that bee venom has the strongest bacterial effectiveness, while royal jelly showed the weakest antibacterial activity. The most challenging problems associated with using bee products for medical purposes are dosage and safety. The complexity and variability in composition of these products raise the need for their standardization before safe and predictable clinical uses can be achieved.

Keywords: antimicrobial activity; bee venom; honey; honeybee products; propolis; royal jelly.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Bee Venoms* / chemistry
  • Bee Venoms* / therapeutic use
  • Bees / chemistry*
  • Fatty Acids* / chemistry
  • Fatty Acids* / therapeutic use
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / growth & development
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / growth & development
  • Honey*
  • Propolis* / chemistry
  • Propolis* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Bee Venoms
  • Fatty Acids
  • Propolis
  • royal jelly