Inhibitory effect of pollen and propolis extracts

Bee pollen and propolis were collected from Apis mellifera colonies in five regions of Turkey. The antifungal properties of methanol extracts of pollen and propolis (2% and 5% concentrations) were determined on Alternaria alternata and Fusarium oxysporium f sp. melonis. The least active concentration towards the tested fungi was 2% concentration of both extracts. The inhibitory effect of all propolis extracts on growth of F. oxysporium and A. alternata were generally higher when compared with pollen extracts. The growth of A. alternata and F oxysporium were not affected at both concentrations of pollens. However, F oxysporium against propolis extracts was more sensitive than A. alternata (P < 0.01). None of the pollen extracts tested completely inhibited mycelial growth of fungi used in our experiment. Percent inhibition of both pollen concentrations against A. alternata and F. oxysporium was lower than 50%. However, both concentrations of Alanya and Beysehir propolis extracts were 100% effective on mycelial growth of F oxysporium until the 7(th) day of incubation (P < 0.01). 2% Alanya and Beysehir pollen extracts completely stimulated mycelial growth of F oxysporium on the 7(th) day of incubation. Both concentrations of propolis extract showed more than 50% inhibition against F. oxysporium. It is suggested that high concentrations of propolis extract could be used as an antifungal agent against tested fungi.