Resumen

MANRIQUE, Antonio J  y  SANTANA, Weyder C. Flavonoids, antibacterial and antioxidant activities of propolis of stingless bees, Melipona quadrifasciata, Melipona compressipes, Tetragonisca angustula, and Nannotrigona sp. from Brazil and Venezuela. Zootecnia Trop. [online]. 2008, vol.26, n.2, pp.157-166. ISSN 0798-7269.

Flavonoids content, antibacterial and antioxidant activities of Brazilian and Venezuelan propolis from stingless bees, Melipona quadrifasciata, Melipona compresssipes, Tetragonisca angustula, and Nannotrigona sp. were evaluated using ethanolic extracts of propolis (EEP) against Gram positives bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus. The propolis samples were collected in three locations, São Paulo state, Brazil, and Miranda and Guárico states, Venezuela, from November 2003 to April 2004. The results showed that the flavonoid content was very low for all samples, between 0.19 and 0.32%. The antioxidant activity was lower than 22 sec for all samples (3-5 sec of average). The EEP from Melipona quadrifasciata bees showed higher antioxidant activity than the other stingless bees. All EEP showed high antibacterial activity, with an inhibition halo between 11 to 30 mm, against Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus, for all Brazilian and Venezuelan samples. EEP from Nannotrigona sp. showed higher antibacterial activity than other bees. The propolis studied showed high antibacterial and antioxidant activity, despite lower flavonoids percentages

Palabras clave : Propolis; stingless bees; antimicrobial activity; flavonoids; antioxidant activity.