Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026
Live/Dead Staining for Quantifying Viable but Not Culturable Cells in Manuka Honey-Treated Wound-Causing Bacteria
Published on: April 25, 2025
Honey as an antimicrobial agent against pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from infected wounds
Vishnu Prasad Shenoy1, Mamatha Ballal, Pg Shivananda
1Department of Microbiology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Manipal, India.
Background:
As natural products garner attention in the medical field due to emergence of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria, honey is valued for its antibacterial activity.
Objective:
Fifty strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from infected wounds were evaluated for their antibacterial action using honey in comparison with different antibiotics and Dettol.
Methodology And Results:
All the strains were found to be sensitive to honey at a minimum inhibitory concentration of 20% in comparison with Dettol at 10% using agar dilution method. In the second step, the time kill assay was performed on five isolates of P. aeruginosa to demonstrate the bactericidal activity of honey at different dilutions of honey ranging from 20% to 100% at regular time intervals. All the isolates of P. aeruginosa tested were killed in 12-24 h depending on the dilutions of the honey tested. Thus, honey could prevent the growth of P. aeruginosa even if it was diluted by deionized water by fivefolds in vitro. Honey had almost uniform bactericidal activity against P. aeruginosa irrespective of their susceptibility to different classes of antibiotics.
Conclusion:
Honey which is a natural, non-toxic, and an inexpensive product has activity against the P. aeruginosa isolated from infected wounds may make it an alternative topical choice in the treatment of wound infections.
Insights
Honey exhibits significant antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common wound pathogen. This natural product demonstrates bactericidal effects, offering a potential alternative for topical wound infection treatment.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Natural Products Chemistry
- Wound Healing Research
Background:
- Increasing antibiotic resistance necessitates novel therapeutic strategies.
- Natural products, particularly honey, are recognized for their antimicrobial properties.
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a significant pathogen in wound infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of honey against wound-isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains.
- To compare honey's activity with conventional antibiotics and Dettol.
- To determine the minimum inhibitory concentration and bactericidal time-kill kinetics of honey.
Main Methods:
- Agar dilution method to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC).
- Time-kill assay to assess bactericidal activity at various honey dilutions.
- Testing against 50 clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Main Results:
- Honey demonstrated sensitivity at a 20% MIC, comparable to Dettol at 10%.
- Honey exhibited bactericidal activity, killing Pseudomonas aeruginosa within 12-24 hours across tested dilutions.
- Honey's efficacy was consistent regardless of bacterial susceptibility to other antibiotics.
Conclusions:
- Honey possesses potent in vitro antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa from wound infections.
- Its natural, non-toxic, and cost-effective profile suggests potential as an alternative topical treatment.
- Honey represents a promising option for managing challenging wound infections.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:23Hand hygiene
Hand washing...
01:28Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:25Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance
01:18Surface Membrane Barriers
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...