Effect of United States buckwheat honey on antibiotic-resistant hospital acquired pathogens

Abstract

IntroductionDue to an upsurge in antibiotic-resistant infections and lack of therapeutic options, new approaches are needed for treatment. Honey may be one such potential therapeutic option. We investigated the susceptibility of hospital acquired pathogens to four honeys from Wisconsin, United States, and then determined if the antibacterial effect of each honey against these pathogens is primarily due to the high sugar content.MethodsThirteen pathogens including: four Clostridium difficile, two Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, two Pseudomonas aeruginosa, one Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, two Vancomycin-resistance Enterococcus, one Enterococcus faecalis and one Klebsiella pneumoniae were exposed to 1-50% (w/v) four Wisconsin honeys and Artificial honey to determine their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) using the broth dilution method.ResultsBuckwheat honey predominantly exhibited a bactericidal mode of action against the tested pathogens, and this varied with each pathogen. C. difficile isolates were more sensitive to the Wisconsin buckwheat honey as compared to the other pathogens. Artificial honey at 50% (w/v) failed to kill any of the pathogens. The high sugar content of Wisconsin buckwheat honey is not the only factor responsible for its bactericidal activity.ConclusionWisconsin buckwheat honey has the potential to be an important addition to therapeutic armamentarium against resistant pathogens and should be investigated further.

Anti-Bacterial Activity of Honey Based on Floral Origin

“…One finding of major significance was the performance of buckwheat and avocado honeys, both of which outperformed manuka honey against each bacterium tested, with the exception of avocado against P. aeruginosa. These results are supported by the literature, where buckwheat honey has been shown to exhibit antibacterial activity comparable to or more potent than manuka [23][24][25][26][27][28][29]. Buckwheat has been shown to have higher concentrations of proteins, phenols, and minerals [27], and darker honeys are generally considered to be highly medicinal and have been found to have higher concentrations of pollen, total phenolics, minerals, and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) [4].…”

Dehumidified-Air-Assisted Spray Drying of Buckwheat Honey with Maltodextrin and Skim Milk Powder as Carriers

“…Jiang et al (2020) reported that buckwheat honey positively affects intestinal microbes, which results in the increase in probiotics [7]. Hammond et al (2016) noted that antibiotic-resistant pathogens were susceptible to buckwheat honey originating from the USA [8]. Baranowska-Wójcik et al (2020) investigated 47 different honeys as a source for acetyl-and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChE and BChE), which are a possible therapeutic strategy in maintaining Alzheimer's disease [9].…”

Phenolics and Carbohydrates in Buckwheat Honey Regulate the Human Intestinal Microbiota

“…Buckwheat honey is known as "black honey" with sweet, delicious taste, long aftertaste, and unique malt flavor. Buckwheat honey seems to be one of the most valued honeys due to health benefits [3]. e abilities of buckwheat honey to promote health may be significantly correlated with its phenolic and carbohydrate compounds.…”