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Propolis is a complex resinous substance produced by Apis mellifera L. through a process of mixing tree resins with saliva and beeswax. This substance plays a crucial role in the hive’s defence against a range of pathogenic agents, maintaining a consistent internal temperature and aseptic environment for the bee colony. The objective of the present study was to assess the chemical composition and antibacterial characteristics of five hydroalcoholic propolis extracts sourced from diverse geographic regions within Romania. This study shows that the biological and functional properties of propolis extracts are related to the plant resources in the vicinity of the hives, and this relates to greater or lesser bioactivity of the extracts; therefore, to standardise the extracts, it is essential to catalogue the plant essences in the proximity of the hives. The antimicrobial activity of propolis extract from each apiary was evaluated against five Gram-positive, five Gram-negative bacteria, and one fungal strain, using the difuzimetric method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The results showed some variability, supporting the hypothesis that not only may the botanical origin influence the properties of propolis but also that a higher number of flavonoids influences the higher antimicrobial activity in the extracts.

Nowadays, entomology is one of the most studied domains due to the pivotal role of insects in ecology, agriculture, the pharmaceutical industry, and medicine. Insects are the most diverse and numerous group of species, and their impact represents a high interest for the scientific community. Due to their well-documented high applicability in various areas, two of the most studied insects are silkworms and honeybees. One of the most important roles of silkworms is their role in medicine and the pharmaceutic industry as bioreactors and model organisms. Honeybees represent the main pollinator for numerous crops and wild plants and present a major contribution to the food chain. Despite their beneficial role in nature and the numerous products obtained from the hive, the bees face several stressors, both biotic and abiotic. The most important progress in this direction has been made by applying genome editing tools to enhance their productivity and agricultural sustainability. Until now, researchers have obtained disease-resistant individuals, limiting the high need for chemical treatments and promoting environmental health. These advancements exhibit progress in biotechnological innovations, including the production of innovative biomaterials for medical applications, underscoring the broad impact of these techniques on the economy, ecology, and medicine.