Introduction:

Due to their important antimicrobial properties, propolis by-products are potentially useful for the prevention and treatment of dental caries.

Objective:

Evaluate the antibacterial activity of a Peruvian propolis ethanolic extract against Streptococcus mutans.

Methods:

The propolis ethanolic extract was obtained by maceration in 70% alcohol for 15 days. The extract was diluted in distilled water to obtain concentrations of 75%, 50% and 25%. Antibacterial activity was evaluated by the disk diffusion test in brain heart agar medium inoculated with S. mutans ATCC® 25175™. Chlorhexidine (CHX) 0.12% was used as control. The Petri plates were incubated for 48 hours at 37ºC in microaerophilic conditions. The inhibition haloes were then measured with a Vernier caliper.

Results:

All the concentrations of the propolis ethanolic extract displayed antibacterial activity against S. mutans: 25% = 17.582 ± 2.578 mm; 50% = 16.906 ± 1.892 mm; 75% = 16.881 ± 2.013 mm; 100% = 17.201 ± 1.305 mm. However, values were lower than those of 0.12% CHX: 24.543 ± 2.486 mm (p < 0.05). According to the Duraffourd scale, S. mutans was sensitive (+) and very sensitive (++) to all propolis ethanolic extract concentrations, and highly sensitive to 0.12% chlorhexidine (+++) (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

The Peruvian propolis ethanolic extract displays significant antibacterial activity against S. mutans. Such activity was evaluated as sensitive and very sensitive.

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