Antibacterial activity of honeys from Amazonian stingless bees of Melipona spp. and its effects on bacterial cell morphology
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Susan Christina Braga Domingos1, Victor Hugo Clebis2, Gerson Nakazato2
1Unidade de Ensino e Pesquisa em Medicina Veterinária, Center for Biological and Nature Sciences, Universidade Federal do Acre, Rio Branco, Brazil.
Background:
Stingless bee honey has great therapeutic potential, especially as an antimicrobial agent. In the present study, we evaluated the in vitro antibacterial potential of honey from Melipona spp. with occurrence in Rio Branco-AC and Xapuri-AC from the Amazonian region. Samples were collected from the species Melipona eburnea, Melipona grandis, Melipona flavolineata and Melipona seminigra. The antibacterial activity of the honey samples was tested against standard Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and two strains isolated from bovine mastitis.
Results:
In the agar diffusion assay, we observed antibacterial activity for the four honeys against the tested strains. The honey from M. flavolineata showed a minimmum inhibitory concentration (MIC) lower than 3.12% (v/v). The minimum bactericidal concentration values were larger than the MIC for most of the microorganisms tested. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed the damaging effect of the honey of M. flavolineata on Staphylococcus aureus cells, as well as its inhibitory effect on cell division.
Conclusion:
The results of the present study demonstrate that the honey from stingless bees possesses in vitro antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria. The effects observed by SEM show that honey from the Amazonian stingless bee M. flavolineata has promising therapeutic potential as a future antimicrobial agent. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
Insights
Amazonian stingless bee honey, particularly from Melipona flavolineata, exhibits significant in vitro antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria. This natural product shows promising potential as a future therapeutic agent for infections.
Area of Science:
- Ethnobotany
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Stingless bee honey possesses notable therapeutic properties, particularly as an antimicrobial agent.
- The Amazonian region hosts diverse Melipona species, including M. eburnea, M. grandis, M. flavolineata, and M. seminigra, known for their honey production.
- Honey from these stingless bees is explored for its potential medicinal applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of honey from four Melipona species found in Rio Branco-AC and Xapuri-AC, Amazonian region.
- To determine the efficacy of stingless bee honey against standard bacterial strains and isolates from bovine mastitis.
- To investigate the morphological effects of honey on bacterial cells using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).
Main Methods:
- Agar diffusion assays were performed to assess antibacterial activity.
- Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) were determined.
- Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was utilized to visualize the effects of honey on bacterial cell structure and division.
Main Results:
- All four stingless bee honeys demonstrated antibacterial activity against the tested bacterial strains.
- Honey from Melipona flavolineata exhibited a low Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) below 3.12% (v/v).
- SEM analysis revealed that M. flavolineata honey damages Staphylococcus aureus cells and inhibits their division.
Conclusions:
- Stingless bee honey from the Amazonian Melipona species displays significant in vitro antimicrobial properties against pathogenic bacteria.
- The observed effects on bacterial cells, particularly by M. flavolineata honey, highlight its potential as a novel antimicrobial agent.
- Further research into stingless bee honey could lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies for combating bacterial infections.
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