Antimicrobial activity of honeys from two stingless honeybee species and Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) against pathogenic microorganisms

Abstract

Honeys are described possessing different properties including antimicrobial. Many studies have presented this activity of honeys produced by Apis mellifera bees, however studies including activities of stingless bees honeys are scarce. The aim of this study was to compare the antimicrobial activity of honeys collected in the Amazonas State from Melipona compressipes, Melipona seminigra and Apis mellifera against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Chromobacterium violaceum, and Candida albicans. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined using the agar dilution method with Müller-Hinton agar (for bacteria) or Saboraud agar (for yeast). Staphylococcus aureus and E. faecalis were inhibited by all honeys at concentrations below 12%, while E. coli and C. violaceum were inhibited by stingless bee honeys at concentrations between 10 and 20%. A. mellifera honey inhibited E. coli at a concentration of 7% and Candida violaceum at 0.7%. C. albicans were inhibited only with honey concentrations between 30 and 40%. All examined honey had antimicrobial activity against the tested pathogens, thus serving as potential antimicrobial agents for several therapeutic approaches. KEYWORDS: Melipona, antibacterial, antifungal, natural products, functional food Atividade antimicrobiana de méis de duas espécies de abelhas sem ferrão e Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera, Apidae) contra micro-organismos patogênicos RESUMO Méis são descritos possuindo diferentes propriedades, incluindo a antimicrobiana. Muitos estudos têm apresentado essa atividade de méis produzidos por abelhas Apis mellifera, no entanto estudos incluindo atividades de méis de abelhas sem ferrão são escassos. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a atividade antimicrobiana de méis de Melipona compressipes, Melipona seminigra e A. mellifera, coletados no Estado do Amazonas, contra Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Chromobacterium violaceum, e Candida albicans. As concentrações inibitórias mínimas foram determinadas usando o método de diluição em ágar, com ágar Muller-Hinton (para bactérias) ou ágar Sabouraud (para a levedura). S. aureus e E. faecalis foram inibidos por todos os méis em concentrações inferiores a 12%, enquanto E. coli e C. violaceum foram inibidos por méis de abelhas sem ferrão em altas concentrações entre 10 e 20%. A. mellifera inibiu E. coli na concentração de 7% e C. violaceum em baixa concentração (0,7%). C. albicans foi inibida apenas em concentrações entre 30 e 40% dos méis. Assim, todas as variedades de mel testadas apresentaram atividade antimicrobiana sobre os patógenos testados, servindo assim como agente antimicrobiano potencial para diversas abordagens terapêuticas. PALAVRAS CHAVE: Melipona, antibacteriano, antifúngico, produtos naturais, alimentos funcionais

Antimicrobial activity, physical-chemical and activity antioxidant of honey samples of Apis mellifera from different regions of Paraná, Southern Brazil

“…Similar results were found by Chan-Rodrigues et al 2012, with inhibition from 15 to 31% for S. aureus and E. coli. Such results diverge from those found by Cruz et al (2014), whose MIC was 7% for E. coli and S. aureus, and 40% for C. albicans, values that are considerably inferior compared to those of our experiment. Kuncic et al (2012) analyzed Slovenian honey samples from several floral origins, which presented a MIC of 2.5% against S. aureus.…”

“…For determining the Minimal Bactericidal Concentration (MBC), we pipetted 10 μL of the suspension of each well of the microplate that did not present growth and one subsequent well that presented turbidity in a Petri dish containing MH agar for E. coli and S. aureus, and SD agar for C. albicans yeast. The plates were identified e incubated in a bacterial incubator at 35 °C for 24h, and analyzed for determining the MBC (Cruz et al, 2014).…”

Pharmacophagy and pharmacophory: mechanisms of self-medication and disease prevention in the honeybee colony (Apis mellifera)

“…Pollen and honey were shown to have the highest variability in their pharmacophagic activity for several Apis (Tables III and IV) and nonApis bee species (Boorn et al 2010;Chanchao 2009b;Chan-Rodríguez et al 2012;da Cruz et al 2014;Kimoto-Nira and Amano 2008;Logan et al 2005;Temaru et al 2007;Vandenberg 1994). An outstanding nonpharmacophagic but defensive usage of stored honey was observed for the stingless bee Hypotrigona braunsi .…”

“…In vitro assay Chan-Rodríguez et al 2012;da Cruz et al 2014;Efem et al 1992;Erler et al 2014;Gallardo-Chacón et al 2008;Islaa et al 2011;Temaru et al 2007;Tenore et al 2012;Ulusoy et al 2010 Methanol- Efem et al 1992;Fahim et al 2014;Gulfraz et al 2010;Radwan et al 1984;Tenore et al 2012;Wellford et al 1978 Bee products for self-medication other honey compounds (nectar-derived flavonoids: pinobanksin, pinobanksin 5-methyl ether, pinocembrin) may well interact with additive or synergistic consequences for innate immunity and detoxification (Mao et al 2013). A second group of plant-derived products enhancing bee health are phytohormones.…”

Avaliação Microbiológica De Uma Cerveja Tipo Pilsen Com Adição De Chá Verde Na Etapa De Maturação

“…Apesar da proximidade entre as amostras M4, M5, M6, M7 e M8, é importante destacar que os solos e a vegetação amazônicos têm composição muito variável, o que influencia diretamente na composição do mel (BORSATO;CRUZ;ALMEIDA, 2009;AKUJOBI, 2010). Além disso, os méis coletados no período seco normalmente apresentaram maiores halos de inibição que os coletados no período chuvoso (Tabela 1), o que pode estar diretamente associado a maior variedade de espécies florais nesse período.…”