Highly Efficient Antibiofilm and Antifungal Activity of Green Propolis against Candida species in dentistry material

Background This study evaluated the influence of green propolis9 extract on the adhesion and biofilm formation of Candida species on dentistry material. Methods Phytochemical analysis of green propolis9 extract was performed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography. Adhesion was quantified in a Neubauer chamber, counting the number of yeast cells adhered to the fragments; Biofilm formation was determined by counting the number of colony forming units (CFU). The intensity of biofilm formation adhesion was classified as negative, weak, moderate, strong and very strong. Fifteen compounds were identified in green propolis extract, mainly flavonoids. Results All strains were able to adhere and form biofilm on the surface of the orthodontic materials studied. In steel and resin, the adhesion intensity of the yeast cells was weak at all incubation times, except for C. parapsilosis and C. tropicalis which at 12hs showed moderate intensity. Regarding biofilm formation (24 and 48 hours), it was observed in the steel that C. albicans had moderate intensity at 24 and 48 hours; C. parapsilosis at 24 and 48 hours had very strong intensity; C. tropicalis at 24 hours had strong intensity and at 48 hours very strong. While in the resin, all species at 24 and 48 hours had strong intensity, except for C. tropicalis which at 48 hours had very strong intensity. Green propolis extract showed antifungal activity and was able to inhibit both adhesion and biofilm formation at 2.5 µg/mL. Conclusions This study reinforces the idea that green propolis has antifungal activity and interferes with virulence factors of Candida species.