Antimicrobial properties and isotope investigations of South African honey

Abstract

Aims The therapeutic potential of honey for the treatment of wound infections is well documented. However, South African (SA) honey has been poorly explored as an antimicrobial agent and given the well‐established antimicrobial properties of the indigenous plant species from SA, there is the potential that honey from this geographical region may exhibit noteworthy anti‐infective properties. In this study, the antimicrobial properties of 42 SA honey samples were determined. Methods and Results The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) agar dilution method was used to determine antimicrobial activity. The MICs of the honeys ranged from 6·25 to 50·00%. Samples 4‐(CITYMIX/WC), 12‐(BUSHVELD/KZN), 15‐(ONION/WC), 16‐(FYNBOS/WC), 17‐(AKMS/FS), 19‐(CITYMIX/FS), 41‐(INDIGENOUS/WC) and 52‐(SURBURBANGARDEN/WC) displayed broad‐spectrum antimicrobial activity. The physicochemical properties including pH, water content and stable isotope analysis (SIA) was analysed. The pH of the honeys ranged between 3·89 and 5·09. The SIA revealed strong overall trends between protein concentration and MIC suggesting close links with antimicrobial activity. Conclusion A number of SA honey samples tested have potential as an effective antimicrobial agent in wound healing. Significance and Impact of the Study The future of South Africa's market for medical grade and therapeutic honeys looks promising as the antimicrobial properties of the honeys have some superior activity.

Quantification of bee-derived peptide defensin-1 in honey by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, a new approach in honey quality control

“…Our results are consistent with another study showing that high protein concentrations in honey tend to result in low MIC values (i.e. good antimicrobial activity) while low protein concentrations (due to impurities or adulterations in honeys) result in decreased antimicrobial activity (Khan et al 2014). It has been mentioned above that GOX-mediated generation of H 2 O 2 significantly affects the total antibacterial activity of honey.…”

Activity of Polish unifloral honeys against pathogenic bacteria and its correlation with colour, phenolic content, antioxidant capacity and other parameters

“…Several Polish honeys can compete with the most active honeys from other geographical locations, such as manuka honey or South African honeys recently reported as promising antibacterial agents (Khan et al . ) as well as most active pine honeydew and sunflower honey from Greece that both inhibited the growth of SA and PA at MIC of 3·125 and 6·25% (v/v) respectively (Anthimidou and Mossialos ).…”

“…; Khan et al . ). The antimicrobial activity of several popular Polish honeys was previously investigated to certain extent.…”

“…The honey properties including antibacterial potential depend on the composition, strictly related to the botanical and geographical origin (Kedzia and Holderna-Kedzia 2008). Recently, the antibacterial activity of honeys from different botanical and geographical origin have been investigated providing data on the honey types that could be successfully applied as medical-grade honeys in therapy (Anthimidou and Mossialos 2012;Kuncic et al 2012;Zainol et al 2013;Khan et al 2014). The antimicrobial activity of several popular Polish honeys was previously investigated to certain extent.…”

Scaffold of Selenium Nanovectors and Honey Phytochemicals for Inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Quorum Sensing and Biofilm Formation

“…HP have significant antimicrobial uses against different drug resistant pathogenic bacteria, particularly anti-QS action (Israili, 2014; Khan et al, 2014). But, the poor water solubility, limited bioavailability, and poor stability of phytomolecules usually hinder their full anti-QS potential (Munin and Edwards-Levy, 2011).…”