engleski

Potential of propolis in the control of diseases caused by Oomycetes

Background: Oomycetes are globally important pathogens of plants and animals, causing significant economic losses in agriculture and aquaculture. Since current methods for their treatment include chemicals harmful to humans and the environment, new environmentally friendly methods for their control should be developed. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine anti-oomycete effects of propolis, a natural substance with known antimicrobial activity but poorly investigated anti-oomycete potential. Methods: Two propolis formulations were used: P1 and P2, and their chemical composition was determined spectrophotometrically. Their anti- oomycete activity was determined using an in vitro plate assay and a range of pathogenic oomycetes that parasitize on animals (Aphanomyces astaci, crayfish pathogen, and Saprolegnia parasitica, parasite of salmonid fish) and plants (Phytophora cactorum and P. plurivora). Results: Both propolis samples contained high, mg / mL concentrations of bioactive compounds: flavonoids, total phenols, hydroxyacetic acids and flavanols. Accordingly, high inhibitory activity of propolis was demonstrated against all tested Oomycetes in vitro: mycelium growth was slowed down from 30 % to 75 % in the presence of propolis formulations and the degree of inhibition was positively correlated with the concentration of flavonoids in the samples. In conclusion, this is one of the first studies that demonstrates strong inhibitory effect of propolis towards pathogenic Oomycetes. In the future, the effect of propolis should be tested in vivo, e.g. as food additive in freshwater aquaculture facilities.

Propolis ; Oomycetes ; Inhibition

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