DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sajp.2026.v15i01.001

Pages: 1-15

Due to the rise in resistance of synthetic antibiotics, researchers have centered on identifying antimicrobial properties of agricultural wastes. Propolis was harvested from the scraping of bee hives in the Agricultural garden of the University of Benin, using standard techniques and macerated in absolute ethanol for 2 weeks in a dark room, at room temperature. The preparation was concentrated and stabilised in 5% Tween 80. The hydrogel were prepared at different concentrations of Propolis and Carbopol. Physical properties of the formulation were evaluated by an independent panel of three researchers. Physicochemical properties of the formulation (pH, spreadability, depth and viscosity) were evaluated, and analyzed. The antibacterial spectrum of propolis were evaluated against different gram- negative and gram-positive organisms by agar well diffusion method. The percentage yield of Propolis was 50.5%. Quantitative study indicated the presence of Alkaloid (351.6mg/g), Flavonoid (300mg/g), Phenolics (50mg/g), Tannin (10.9mg/g) and Saponin (0.199mg/g). The pH of the formulation was 6.73 – 6.6 (p-value = 0.04); spreadability was 4.72 – 3.17 (p-value = 0.64); depth was 18.67 – 14.83 (p-value < 0.001); viscosity was highest in formulations of 2% Carbopol (72,802 – 72,122 mPas.s). The stability studies revealed that preparations stored in the refrigerator had a better profile (pH of 6.86 – 4.51; spreadability of 3.25 – 5.57; viscosity of 7997 – 72,802 mPas.s) over 90-days period. The inhibition zone diameter against Staphylococcus aureus was between 17-21mm, 16.5-21mm for Streptococcus pyrogen, 0-7.5mm for Staphylococcus epidermis, 14.5-18mm for Escherichia coli, and between 16.5-20mm for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. All batches of the hydrogel did not elicit inhibitory effect against Staphylococcus epidermidis. The minimum inhibitory concentration was determined, for Staphylococcus aureus it was at 62.5mg/ml concentration; for Streptococcus pyrogen, it was at 125mg/ml concent