Study of antibacterial potential and mixed antibiofilm formation of green propolis against multidrug resistant strains

Abstract

Bacterial resistance to antimicrobials is one of the greatest threats to public health worldwide. It is a major concern not only in hospital environments, but also in the community because it culminates in morbidity and mortality. Bacterial resistance development is a natural phenomenon that many times results from indiscriminate drug use-there is a clear link between inadequate use of antibacterials and elevated bacterial resistance levels. In an attempt to prevent and to treat bacterial infections, numerous natural materials have been studied and used as sources of bactericidal and bacteriostatic agents. In the current scenario of emerging resistance to various drugs and decline in new research into antibiotics, Brazil stands out: it is home to wide plant biodiversity and varied ecosystems and biomes, which offer great potential for study and production of phytopharmaceutical and phytotherapic compounds. This project aims to study the action of green propolis crude extract, fractions, and pure compounds against eleven multiresistant bacterial strains from the American Type Culture Collection. Antibacterial action will be assessed by the broth microdilution method for determination of the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), followed by determination of the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC). The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of Mixed Biofilm (MICB50) will also be analyzed. Nowadays, the search for new antibacterials is crucial as judged from the alarming estimates suggesting that the number of deaths triggered by mutiresistant bacteria may increase and surpass other significant causes of death. Therefore, this project intends to contribute with new information and with the future development of new antibacterials from natural products.