In Vitro Antimicrobial, Antioxidant and Anticancer Activities of Egyptian Citrus Beebread

Abstract

In this study, Egyptian beebread (EBB) was investigated for its nutritive value, chemical composition, antioxidant properties, antimicrobial and antitumor activities. Results indicated that EBB was a good source of protein (23.58 ± 0.183 g/100 g BB), total free sugar (20.266 ± 0.930) and potassium (290.202 ± 2.645 mg/100 g). Additionally, 14 fatty acids were identified in EBB, wherein polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids represented 51.06% ± 0.09% and 9.86% ± 0.01%, respectively. The EBB extract exhibited almost 400% better antiradical activity than BHT, with IC50 of EBB extract being 10.7 µg/mL compared to 39.5 µg/mL for BHT. EBB exhibited higher inhibitory activity than the reference compound against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, followed by Bacillus subtilis. No inhibitory activity was observed against Aspergillus Niger. Additionally, the highest inhibitory activity was recorded against Caco-2 cells, followed by PC3 and HepG-2 cancer cell lines with IC50 values 262, 314 and 386 μg/mL, respectively. These findings establish the potential of EBB as an antioxidant, antimicrobial and antitumor agent, with possible applications as natural food supplements and natural preservatives.

Bee Bread as a Promising Source of Bioactive Molecules and Functional Properties: An Up-To-Date Review

“…Flavonoids, phenolic acids, and other antioxidant components are recognized as effective functional molecules, displaying numerous bio-pharmacological potentialities. In fact, several researchers suggest the use of bee bread as a common food preservative and bio-functional dietary supplement, or as a therapeutic strategy in the prevention of oxidative stress and associated ailments, such as cardio-metabolic, neurodegenerative, and cancerous diseases [ 46 , 51 , 52 ].…”

“…In a study conducted by Didaras et al [ 84 ], it was reported that the aqueous extract of Greek bee bread was effective against Gram-positive bacteria (MIC values ranging between 3.9 mg/mL and 48 mg/mL) and against Gram-negative bacteria (MIC values ranging between 7.8 mg/mL and 90.4 mg/mL). It has also been shown that bee bread ethanolic extracts (70%, 95%, 80%, and 50%) have strong antibiotic activity against Gram-positive bacteria ( Bacillus cereus , Clostridium perfringens, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus Subtilis, methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Listeria monocytogene ), Gram-negative bacteria ( Haemophilus influenza, Klebsiella pneumonia, Salmonella enteric, Escherichia coli, Shigella, Salmonella typhi , and Pseudomonas aeruginosa )and fungi ( Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger , Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis , Aspergillus clavatus, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus versicolor, Penicillium expansum, Penicillium chrysogenum, and Penicillium griseofulvum ) [ 52 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 ].…”

Pharmaceutical Prospects of Bee Products: Special Focus on Anticancer, Antibacterial, Antiviral, and Antiparasitic Properties

“…Apart from that, the investigation on the mechanisms in the activity of royal jelly as anticancer revealed that it may enhance production of cytokine from mononuclear cells to suppress the growth of U937, a leukemia cell model [138]. Meanwhile, bee bread, a bee product that is closely related to royal jelly, was also shown to have antiproliferative activities against Caco-2 and PC-3 cell lines [139]. Bee bread has also been tested against MCF-7, HeLa, HepG-2 and non-small cell lung cancer (NCI-H460), although the potency was relatively low to moderate (GI 25 > 400 to 68 µg/mL) [89].…”

“…Bee bread has also been tested against MCF-7, HeLa, HepG-2 and non-small cell lung cancer (NCI-H460), although the potency was relatively low to moderate (GI 25 > 400 to 68 µg/mL) [89]. It consists mainly of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids [139], but the substances that are thought to be responsible for the anticancer potency are its flavonoids and polyphenolic constituents including isorhamnetin-O-glycoside, quercetin-O-glycoside, herbacetin glycosides, kaempferol, and myricetin [89].…”

Nano Milk Protein-Mucilage Complexes: Characterization and Anticancer Effect

“…Protein samples were acid hydrolyzed using 6 N HCl according to Peksa et al [49]. An automated amino acid analyzer (AAA 400, INGOS Ltd.) was used for determining amino acids.…”