Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Potential of n-hexane and Methanol Extracts of Benue Propolis

Authors

  • Ifeoma Sandra Iyen
    Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Federal University Wukari, Nigeria.
  • Daniel Tarungwa
    Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Federal University Wukari, Nigeria.
  • Benedict Ayomanor
    Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Nigeria.
  • Humphrey Sam Samuel
    Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Federal University Wukari, Nigeria.

Keywords:

Propolis, Maceration, Antimicrobial activity, Chemical Composition, GC-MS

Abstract

Propolis is a resinous material made by honey bees for protecting their hives against microbial attack. Propolis sample was collected from Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State. This study investigated the chemical constituents and antimicrobial activity of the crude extracts using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and in vitro susceptibility assays. Propolis sample was extracted using n-hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol. Antimicrobial evaluation against nine bacterial and four fungal strains demonstrated broad-spectrum activity significantly for the n-hexane and methanol extracts, with significant inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus (25±0.03 mm, 20±0.04 mm) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (21±0.03 mm, 17±0.01 mm) by n-hexane, and methanol extracts, respectively. Moderate activity was observed against Escherichia coli (18±0.01 mm, 20±0.04 mm). The minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentration (MIC/MBC) of the crude extracts of the inhibited bacteria ranged from 1.57 – 25 mg/mL. Significant antifungal activity was recorded against Candida krusei (24±0.02 mm) with the minimum fungicidal concentration of 1.57 mg/mL. GC–MS analysis of the extracts revealed a complex mixture of hydrocarbons, fatty acids, esters, alcohols, terpenoids, phenolics, and steroidal compounds. The methanol extract showed majorly 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (51.65%), alongside hexadecanoic acid (14.30%), glycerin (7.73%) and hydroquinone. Batilol and pregnane were reported for the first time in Nigerian Propolis. N-hexane extract was characterized by hydrocarbons and sesquiterpenes. These findings demonstrate that Benue Propolis possesses a phytochemical profile with sig-nificant antimicrobial potential, which can serve as promising source of bioactive compounds for therapeutic and drug development applications.

 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21340628

 

 

Dimensions

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Graphical abstract

Published

2026-07-17

How to Cite

Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Potential of n-hexane and Methanol Extracts of Benue Propolis. (2026). Frontiers in Physical and Applied Sciences (FIPAS), 1(1), 1-8. https://journals.fuwukari.org.ng/index.php/fpas/article/view/6

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 1 (2026): The Maiden Publication of FIPAS

Section

Chemistry
Copyright & Licensing

How to Cite

Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Potential of n-hexane and Methanol Extracts of Benue Propolis. (2026). Frontiers in Physical and Applied Sciences (FIPAS), 1(1), 1-8. https://journals.fuwukari.org.ng/index.php/fpas/article/view/6