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Bactericidal activity of different honeys against pathogenic bacteria
Patricia E Lusby1, Alexandra L Coombes, Jenny M Wilkinson
1School of Biomedical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, Australia.
Archives of Medical Research
|August 16, 2005
Summary
Local honeys show antibacterial activity comparable to commercial options. These findings suggest new antibacterial honeys could be valuable for therapeutic uses, including wound treatment.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Natural Products Chemistry
Background:
- Growing interest in honey's therapeutic properties, particularly for infected wounds.
- Need for identification of new sources of antibacterial honey.
- Comparison of locally produced honeys with commercial therapeutic honeys (Medihoney, manuka).
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the antibacterial activity of three local honeys.
- To compare their efficacy against commercial therapeutic honeys.
- To identify potential new sources of antibacterial honey.
Main Methods:
- Agar dilution method used to test honey efficacy.
- Tested against 13 bacterial strains and one yeast (Candida albicans).
- Honeys evaluated at concentrations from 0.1% to 20%.
Main Results:
- All tested honeys inhibited 12 of 13 bacteria; Serratia marcescens and Candida albicans were resistant.
- Significant antibacterial activity observed at concentrations >= 5%, with minimal effect below 1%.
- No honey achieved complete bacterial growth inhibition; local honeys showed comparable activity to commercial honeys for some bacteria.
Conclusions:
- Locally produced honeys can possess significant antibacterial activity.
- These honeys offer a potential alternative to commercially available therapeutic honeys.
- Newly identified antibacterial honeys represent a promising resource for future medicinal applications.