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-The purpose of this study was to investigate the antifungal action of three single samples of South African honey (wasbessie, bluegum and fynbos) against Candida albicans. Various dilutions of honey were prepared in brain-heart infusion broth, ranging in concentration from 0 to 25% (w/w). This was inoculated with C. albicans, while a hypertonic sugar solution served as a control. All dilutions were incubated overnight and the optical density was measured in a spectrophotometer. The sugar control and the 3 honey samples stimulated the growth of C. albicans and was optimal between 2.5% and 5%. Increased honey concentrations resulted in reduced growth of C. albicans; wasbessie honey at a concentration of 25% demonstrated 29.4% inhibition on the growth of C. albicans, while the control, bluegum and fynbos honey produced only partial inhibition.honey / antifungal action / antimicrobial action / oral micro flora / Candida albicans

Fluorosis levels and caries prevalence were evaluated in 152 children aged 6-8 yr residing from birth in an area with 5 ppm fluoride in the drinking water. Sixty-two of the subjects had mild fluorosis in both primary and permanent dentition, 31 were defined as moderate, and 4 cases had no signs of fluorosis; 14 cases had a more severe fluorosis level in the primary dentition as compared to 41 cases in which fluorosis was more severe in the permanent dentition. More primary dentitions were free of fluorosis in females than in males (P less than 0.05). No differences between males and females were found in the permanent dentition fluorosis. The decay rate in the permanent dentition gradually increased with increasing fluorosis severity, a finding not observed in the primary dentition. Reasons are discussed for the lower fluorosis level in the primary dentition and the more severe fluorosis in older age groups as well as the fluorosis severity difference by gender.

The antibacterial activity of natural honey consumption has been examined in patients suffering from head and neck cancer who developed hyposalivation following irradiation treatment. Enumeration of total bacteria and streptococcus mutans was carried out in saliva of the patients and of a normal volunteer group before and after honey consumption. Total bacteria count was not significantly different between both groups, whereas the streptococcus mutans count decreased significantly in the experimental group following honey consumption.