Abstract. Mouth-dissolving fibers with antibacterial activity for the oral cavity were prepared by an electrospinning technique. Propolis extract was used as an active ingredient and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) K90 as the polymer matrix. The morphology and diameter of the fibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans and the inhibition of S. mutans adhesion on a smooth glass surface during the biofilm formation were tested. Propolis, 5% (w/ v), was combined with a PVP K90 solution, 8% (w/v), with or without Tween 80 including flavor additives and electrospun with an applied voltage of 15 kV. Uniform and smooth fibers of propolis-PVP K90 were obtained. The results showed that electrospun fibers with propolis extract can dissolve and release the propolis in water. Propolis-PVP electrospun fibers showed better antibacterial activity by reduction of bacteria adhesion on a smooth glass surface when compared to some commercial mouthwash products. These results indicated the potential of electrospun fibers to be used as mouth-dissolving fibers for effective antibacterial activity in the oral cavity.

This study investigated the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of propolis collected from two stingless bee species Tetragonula laeviceps and Tetrigona melanoleuca (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Six xanthones, one triterpene and one lignane were isolated from Tetragonula laeviceps propolis. Triterpenes were the main constituents in T. melanoleuca propolis. The ethanol extract and isolated compounds from T. laeviceps propolis showed a higher antibacterial activity than those of T. melanoleuca propolis as the constituent α-mangostin exhibited the strongest activity. Xanthones were found in propolis for the first time; Garcinia mangostana (Mangosteen) was the most probable plant source. In addition, this is the first report on the chemical composition and bioactivity of propolis from T. melanoleuca.

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Electrospinning of propolis / polylactic acid (PLA) fibres was investigated for propolis concentrations from 0-10% (w/v). Solutions could not be spun when the amount of propolis was over 8% (w/v). Mechanical characterization indicated that propolis reduced the tensile strength. The fibre mats exhibited poorer mechanical performance when the propolis concentration was increased. At propolis concentrations of 2-6% (w/v), the fibres were smooth, bead-free and homogeneous. When the concentration of propolis was more than 6% (w/v), the fibres changed from ductile to brittle. The fibres containing 2% (w/v) propolis showed bactericidal effects on Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Proteus mirabilis and Escherichia coli. At a propolis concentration of 4% (w/v) they also inhibited Bacillus cereus. Efectos bactericidas de nanofibras de propóleos/ácido poliláctico (APL) obtenidas mediante electrohilado (electrospinning) ResumenEl electrohilado de fibras de propóleos/ácido poliláctico (APL) se ha investigado con concentraciones de propóleos de 0-10% (w/v). Las disoluciones no pudieron ser hiladas cuando la cantidad de propóleos fue superior al 8% (w/v). La caracterización mecánica indicó que el propóleos reduce la resistencia a la tracción. Las esteras de fibra tuvieron un comportamiento mecánico más pobre cuando se aumentó la concentración de propóleos. A concentraciones de propóleos de 2-6% (w/v), las fibras eran lisas, sin bolitas y homogéneas. Cuando la concentración de propóleos fue de más de 6% (w/v), las fibras cambiaron de dúctil a frágil. Las fibras con 2% (w/v) de propóleos mostraron efectos bactericidas sobre Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Proteus mirabilis y Escherichia coli. A una concentración de propóleos de 4% (w/v) también inhibieron Bacillus cereus.