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In a new propolis type, red Brazilian propolis, 14 compounds were identified (six of them new for propolis), among them simple phenolics, triterepenoids, isoflavonoids, prenylated benzophenones and a naphthoquinone epoxide (isolated for the first time from a natural source). Three of the major components demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity, and two (obtained as inseparable mixture) possessed radical scavenging activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH).

-Validated spectrophotometric procedures were used to quantify three main groups of bioactive substances (phenolics, flavones/flavonols, flavanones/dihydroflavonols) in 114 samples of poplar-type propolis from different geographic origins. From the results, we characterized raw poplar propolis in terms of minimum content of its bioactive components (antimicrobial and antioxidant) as follows: 45% resin, 21% total phenolics, 4% total flavones/flavonols; 4% total flavanones/dihydroflavonols, and a maximum Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) against S. aureus of 250 µg/mL. A significant negative correlation was observed between the amount of total phenolics and MIC. The results indicate that measuring the concentrations of groups of active compounds, rather than individual components, is an appropriate approach in developing quality standards for propolis. poplar propolis / chemical characteristics / antibacterial activity / standardization

In vitro activity of nine cyanobacterial and ten microalgal newly isolated or culture collection strains against eight significant food-borne pathogens has been evaluated and compared. Water extracts and culture liquids of Gloeocapsa sp. and Synechocystis sp. demonstrated the widest spectrum of activity with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 1.56 to 12.5 mg mL À1 . Culture liquid of Anabaena sp. had the highest activity (MIC = 0.39 mg mL À1 ) but only to Gram-positive bacteria. Ethanol extracts and fatty acids from all cyanobacteria and microalgae were active against Streptococcus pyogenes and/or Staphylococcus aureus. The fatty acids of Synechocystis sp. inhibited the growth of Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans (MIC values of 2.5-1.25 mg mL À1 , respectively). Exopolysaccharides (EPS) of Gloeocapsa sp. were the sample that exhibited activity against all test pathogens with lowest MIC values (0.125-1 mg mL À1 ). High activity with a narrower range of susceptible targets demonstrated the exopolysaccharides of Synechocystis sp. and Rhodella reticulata. Antimicrobial activity was proven for phycobiliproteins isolated from Synechocystis sp., Arthrospira fusiformis, Porphyridium aerugineum and Porphyridium cruentum, respectively. In conclusion Gloeocapsa sp. and Synechocystis sp. and especially their exopolysaccharides showed the most promising potential against the examined food pathogens.In vitro antimicrobial activity of microalgae H. Najdenski et al. ResultsSamples of all investigated cyanobacterial and microalgal strains were initially evaluated for antimicrobial activity by agar diffusion test. No biological activity of In vitro antimicrobial activity of microalgae H. Najdenski et al. 1539 In vitro antimicrobial activity of microalgae H. Najdenski et al.

Twenty-one propolis samples produced by 12 different Meliponinae species were analyzed by GC-MS. Several chemical types of stingless bees’ propolis could be grouped, according to the prevailing type of compounds like: “gallic acid”, “diterpenic” and “triterpenic” types. The results confirm that neither the bee species nor the geographical location determine the chemical composition of Meliponinae propolis and the choice of its plant source, respectively. This could be explained by the fact that Meliponinae forage over short distances (maximum 500 m) and thus use as propolis source the first plant exudate they encounter during their flights. The antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic activities of the samples were also investigated. Most samples had weak or no activity against E. coli, weak action against Candida albicans. Some of them showed significant activity against St. aureus., presumably connected to the high concentration of diterpenic acids. Samples rich in diterpenic acids possessed also high cytotoxic activity (Artemia salina test).

From a biologically active extract of Indonesian propolis from East Java, 11 compounds were isolated and identified: four alk(en)ylresorcinols (obtained as an inseparable mixture) (1-4) were isolated for the first time from propolis, along with four prenylflavanones (6-9) and three cycloartane-type triterpenes (5, 10 and 11). The structures of the components were elucidated based on their spectral properties. All prenylflavanones demonstrated significant radical scavenging activity against diphenylpicrylhydrazyl radicals, and compound 6 showed significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. For the first time Macaranga tanarius L. and Mangifera indica L. are shown as plant sources of Indonesian propolis.

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The chemical composition of fresh flowers from Allium ursinum (ramsons, bear's garlic, wild garlic) growing in Bulgaria has been studied. Thymidine (1), adenosine (2), astragalin (kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), kaempferol-3-O-β-Dglucopyranosyl-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), kaempferol-3-O-β-D-neohesperoside (5), and kaempferol-3-O-β-Dneohesperoside-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (6) were isolated from the n-butanol extract and identified by different spectroscopic and spectrometric methods. Thymine (7), uridine (8), uracil (9) and 5-chloro-uridine (10) were detected in the same extract by GC-MS. This is the first report of the occurrence of 1, 2, 4, 7-10 in the flowers of A. ursinum. GC-MS of the volatile components of fresh flowers and leaves from the same plant revealed a high content of sulfur compounds, some of which are reported for the first time for A. ursinum. The antimicrobial activities of extracts from fresh flowers and leaves of A. ursinum have been tested; some extracts exhibited moderate antifungal properties.