T HE PRESENT study investigated the physicochemical, antioxidant, and microbiological properties of six types of honey obtained from Alexandria, Egypt. Physicochemical properties showed that optical density in the tested honey samples ranged from 0.50 to 1.65, while the pH was in the acidic range. Moisture contents and electrical conductivity in honey samples ranged from 0.5 to 0.64, and 0.29-0.79 mScm-1 , respectively. Total phenol varied from 5500 and 14120 mg/kg in the samples. Flavonoid contents were between 926-1657 mg/kg. The greater amount of phenolic and flavonoid compounds leads to more potent radical scavenging effect as shown by Cotton, Eucalyptus, and Black seed honey samples. Microbiological characteristics showed that Black seed followed by Eucalyptus honey extracts gave the maximum antibacterial activity against K. pneumonia, P. aeruginosa, P. mirabilis, E. coli and S. mutans with maximum inhibition zones equal to 42.67, 39.00, 36.00, 27.33 and 18.67 mm at 100 µl, respectively, for Black seed honey, and 41, 38.33 and 35.67 mm and approximately equal inhibition zones of 13.67 mm against E. coli and S. mutans at 100 µl, respectively, for Eucalyptus honey. The minimum inhibitory concentration values against the pathogenic bacteria showed that, at 25% concentration, Black seed and Eucalyptus honey had an effect on E. coli and K. pneumonia, while Clover honey had an effect on P. aeruginosa and P. mirabilis. Thus, honey can be used for nutritional, medicinal and industrial purposes and can be an important commodity in the international market.
