# Functional and Antimicrobial Properties of Propolis from Different Areas of Romania  
[PERSON]  
1 Department of Agriculture, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, Via De Sanctis snc, 86100 Campobasso, Italy; [PERSON]DRESS] (G.A. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (M.L. ); [PERSON]ADDRESS] (A.D.C.) [PERSON]  
2 Department of Agriculture and Agriculture, Faculty of Animal Science and Biotechnology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj Napoca, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; [PERSON]_ADDRESS] (O.B. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (S.B. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (V.B. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (T.N.T. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (C.D. ); [EMAIL_ADDRESS] (D.S.D.) [PERSON]  
2 Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Animal Science and Biotechnology, University of Agriculture and Agriculture, Faculty of Animal Science and  
botanical products are, in fact, secreted or exuded from different parts of the plant, either as a result of wound formation or as a secretion [4]. In areas with high plant diversity, honeybees have access to a variety of resinous or secretory materials throughout the active season. However, in areas that are intensively cultivated, the landscape may undergo a transition to a monoculture, which can result in a reduction in the availability of these compounds during the active period [5; 6]; consequently, the variability of these compounds may also be significantly diminished. In the case of hives situated in urban areas, the composition of propolis is likely to be influenced by the botanical species present in that location [7; 8]. Given the distance that the honeybee is required to traverse, it may be reasonably assumed that the principal materials for propolis are also gathered from the area surrounding the hive. Honeybees are capable of identifying these compounds and can transport them to the hive, thereby maintaining an aseptic environment and contributing to the hive's overall health [5; 9]. Propolis defends the hive, as bees use it to seal small openings and smooth out the interior spaces of hives, thus achieving a constant internal temperature and an aseptic environment [10]. The most representative compounds present in propolis include phenolics, terpenoids, amino acids, sugars, minerals, and vitamins. Given their beneficial properties, bee products have a long history of being employed for the disinfection and healing of wounds, as well as for their antimicrobial effects. In the context of the emergence of new pathologies associated with multidrug-resistant pathogens (MDR) and the irrational use of antibiotics, there is a growing need for extensive research and development of new antibiotics or complementary drugs on a global scale [11]. According to a report by the World Health Organisation, the use of active ingredients not belonging to traditional medicine is rapidly growing [12]. In this regard, laboratory tests have demonstrated that propolis and its constituents (flavonoids, galangin, and pinochemrin) are effective in the treatment of Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria [11; 13]. The phytochemical profile of propolis is inextricably linked to its geographical and botanical origins [14; 15], thereby influencing its therapeutic efficacy. The specific plants used by bees for resin collection have been shown to influence the flavonoids, phenolic acids, and other bioactive compounds present in the resulting propolis [16; 17]. The flavonoids and phenolic compounds present in propolis from temperate regions have been linked to strong antibacterial and antifungal activities. In contrast, tropical propolis often contains terpenes that target different pathogens [18; 19]. Furthermore, the physical properties of propolis, including colour, are indicative of floral diversity, with specimens ranging from light yellow to dark brown [20]. Geographical and botanical factors exert a profound influence on the bioactivity of propolis, even within the same region [16; 17; 21].