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The aim of this study was to test the antimicrobial activity of propolis, bee pollen loads and beeswax samples collected in the year 2009 from two locations in Slovakia to pathogenic bacteria, microscopic fungi and yeasts. The antimi-crobial effect of the bee product samples were tested using the agar well diffusion method. For extraction, 99.9% and 70% methanol (aqueous, v/v) and 96% and 70% ethanol (aqueous, v/v) were used. Five different strains of bacteria, i.e. Listeria monocytogenes ccM 4699, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ccM 1960; Staphylococcus aureus ccM 3953; Salmonella enterica ccM 4420, Escherichia coli ccM 3988, three different strains of microscopic fungi, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, and seven different strains of yeasts Candida krusei, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis, Geotrichum candidum, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, were tested. After 48 hours S. aureus was the bacterium most sensitive to the 70% ethanol extract of pollen, A. fumigatus was the most sensitive microscopic fungus (70% ethanol) and C. glabrata the most sensitive yeast (70% methanol). Microorganisms most sensitive to propolis extracts were L. monocytogenes, A. fumigatus (70% ethanol) and G. candidum (70% methanol). Most sensitive to beeswax extracts were E. coli, A. niger and C. tropicalis.
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... Although the detailed composition of the beeswax used in the present study was not analyzed, the results found might be attributed, at least partly, to the presence of bioactive compounds such as remains of pollen, metamorphosis wastes, and other compounds with antimicrobial, antioxidant, and other protective effects that possibly can promote animal health and performance [7]. Indeed, the antimicrobial activity of beeswax has been extensively documented in European and Asian holistic remedies for centuries, having been shown to be effective against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger [29,30]. ...
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The aim of this work was to assess the effects of beeswax supplementation on growth rate, feed intake, nutrient digestion, rumen fermentation, blood parameters, and economic sustainability in Assaf lambs. Eighteen growing Assaf (5 months old) lambs were separated into three experimental groups (n = 6 lambs/group). The lambs were fed a basal diet without supplementation (G1) or supplemented with 2 and 4 g beeswax/head/day in G2 and G3 groups, respectively. Zootechnical performance was evaluated over a 90 day period. Feed digestibility was assessed in faeces through the acid insoluble-ash method, and rumen liquor was collected to measure ammonia (NH3-N) and total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) levels. Blood samples were obtained for the titration serum metabolites by colorimetric tests. The findings showed that G3 had an improved performance compared to the other groups (p < 0.01). The lambs in G3 revealed the highest nutrient digestibility and feed use, followed by G2, and G1. G3 recorded the highest economic efficiency followed by G2 and G1 (p < 0.01). The TVFA, acetate, and propionate concentrations were higher and the pH values, NH3-N, and butyrate concentrations were lower in G3 compared to G2 and particularly to G1 (p < 0.01). The concentrations of total protein, globulin, and glucose were significantly higher with 4 g beeswax (p < 0.05). However, albumin, cholesterol, total lipids, urea, creatinine, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) concentrations as well as the albumin to globulin ratio decreased significantly with both levels of beeswax (p < 0.05). The addition of beeswax at the level of 4 g/head/day for growing Assaf lambs significantly improved the growth performance, digestibility, rumen fermentation, and blood serum parameters in addition to the economic efficiency.
... R. . Beekeeping provides various products such as honey, wax, pollen, royal jelly, bee venom, etc. which are used in foods food and for therapeutic use (Kacaniova, 2012). The diverse uses of these products by humans provide a market with huge potential and represent an important source of income for beekeepers and traders, as well as for their households. ...
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... R. . Beekeeping provides various products such as honey, wax, pollen, royal jelly, bee venom, etc. which are used in foods food and for therapeutic use (Kacaniova, 2012). The diverse uses of these products by humans provide a market with huge potential and represent an important source of income for beekeepers and traders, as well as for their households. ...
... Based on these data, it was found that the activity of the chitosan film detected in this work was the result of the activity of the propolis additive. Moreover, the propolis extracts showed activities against A. niger and A. flavus, but the fungi were less sensitive or even insensitive to the propolis extracts at lower concentrations compared to the effect of the extracts on bacteria [79][80][81]. In this study, no antifungal activities of any of the chitosan films on A. niger were found. ...
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Nowadays, natural foods that can provide positive health effects are gaining more and more popularity. Bees and the products they produce are our common natural heritage that should be developed. In the article, we presented the characteristics of bee products and their use in industry. We described the development and importance of beekeeping in the modern world. Due to their high nutritional value and therapeutic properties, bee products are of great interest and their consumption is constantly growing. The basis for the use of bee products in human nutrition is their properties and unique chemical composition. The conducted research and opinions confirm the beneficial effect of bee products on health. The current consumer awareness of the positive impact of food having a pro-health effect on health and well-being affects the increase in interest and demand for this type of food among various social groups. Enriching the daily diet with bee products may support the functioning of the organism. New technologies have appeared on the market to improve the process of obtaining bee products. The use of bee products plays a large role in many industries; moreover, the consumption of bee products and promotion of their medicinal properties are very important in shaping proper eating habits.
... Previous researches have shown that the solvent used for extraction and the extraction method can significantly influence its biological processes and inclusive antimicrobial activity [38,39]. Since the amount and number of solutes of the extracts vary depending on the solvent used, we thought that the inhibition against the same bacterial strain might be variable. ...
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Background: Beeswax is a naturally occurring product secreted from worker bees that has varied uses in modern day. In skincare, its function ranges from its role as an occlusive, helping to create a semi-occlusive skin barrier that minimizes transepidermal water loss; as a humectant, locking in hydration; and an emollient to soften and soothe the skin. As a natural substance, its use has been shown to help alleviate symptoms associated with common cutaneous conditions like dermatitis, psoriasis, and overgrowth of normal skin flora. Aims: In this narrative review, we aim to describe current uses of beeswax in skincare that has been published in the literature. Materials and methods: A review of beeswax related publications was performed by searching the PubMed database studies. Results: A total of five clinical studies were included with three studies on animals and two studies in humans. Discussion: Several studies show the benefits of topical beeswax in supporting the skin barrier. Conclusion: Beeswax can be a low-cost, natural ingredient for use in products. Further studies with topical beeswax are warranted.
... Therefore, our study is just one of two (see Invernizzi et al., 2011) finding a dietary control of Nosema infection. As pollen feeding is known to reduce virus concentration in bees (DeGrandi-Hoffman et al., 2010) and different extracts of pollen and bee bread inhibit bacterial (Lavie, 1960;Crailsheim & Riessberger-Gallé, 2001) and fungal (Kacániová et al., 2012) growth, the ability of bee bread to control disease spread could be widespread. ...
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... A crude extract of beeswax inhibited S. aureus, S. enterica, C. albicans, and Aspergillus niger [23]. Whereas methanol and ethanol extracts inhibited pathogenic bacteria and microscopic fungus [25]. This type of impact might be due, at least in part, to plant-derived beeswax components [26]. ...
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During ancient times, people throughout the world commonly used pollen, praising it for its goodness and medicinal properties. Some of the reasons the ancients used bee-pollen are why we use it today. To date no scientific evidence has been cited to disprove the claimed properties of bee-pollen.
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Propolis is a resinous hive product collected by honeybees from various plant sources. It is a popular folk medicine possessing a broad spectrum of biological activities. It has also been used as a health drink in various Asian, European and American countries. Several groups of researchers have focused their attention on the biological activity of propolis and its active principles. Many scientific articles are published every year in different international journals related to the pharmacological properties of propolis. This review article compiles recent findings (since 1995) on the pharmacological properties of propolis focusing on its antihepatotoxic, antitumour, antioxidative, antimicrobial and antiinflammatory properties. The possible mechanism of action of propolis as well as the active compounds are discussed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.