Comparison of Antimicrobial Potential of Honey Samples from Apis mellifera and Two Stingless Bees from Nsukka, Nigeria

Abstract

The antimicrobial activity of honey depends on many factors, including its botanical origin, geographical and entomological source. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the antimicrobial potential of honey varieties from Apis mellifera, Hypotrigona sp. and Melipona sp. against MDR Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 25783, Candida tropicalis, Candida albicans SC 5314 and Cryptococcus neoformans. By using standard microbiological procedure, the agar-well diffusion and broth microdilution methods were used to evaluate honey samples for their antimicrobial and non-peroxidase activity. Different concentrations of the honey samples showed inhibition zones diameter (mm) against the test isolates. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) of the honey varieties from A. mellifera, Hypotrigona sp. and Melipona sp. ranged from 6.3-25.0%, 3.1-12.5% and 6.3-25.0% (v/v) respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between the mean MICs of honey varieties against E. coli, P. aeruginosa (ATCC 25783) and C. neoformans. Hypotrigona sp. honey had the least mean against most of the test organisms. The Minimum Biocidal Concentration (MBC) of the honey varieties from A. mellifera, Hypotrigona sp. and Melipona sp. against the test organisms varied from 6.3-50%, 3.1-25% and 12-50% (v/v) respectively. There were no significant differences between the mean MBCs of the honeys against MDR S. aureus (p=0.179), E. coli (p=0.564), P. aeruginosa (ATCC 25783) (p=0.846), and C. albicans (SC5314) (p=0.264). The honeys had some levels of non-peroxidase activity against E. coli, P. aeruginosa (ATCC 25783) and C. neoformans. This study has scientifically authenticated the potential use of stingless bee honeys from "Okotobo and Ifufu" as complementary therapeutic agents.

Antimicrobial Activities for Hadhrami Honey on Growth of Some Pathogenic Bacteria

“…The different concentrations of the two honey samples had good growth inhibitory effect on the tested microorganisms. A similar result was previously reported by Mohapatra et al 47 for E. coli and P. aeruginosa 48 , for E. coli, K. pneumoniae and for Haemophilus influenza 49 . The less inhibition effect of the two tested honey against K. pneumoniae and S. aureus was in agreement with Patricia et al, 50 who reported that the overall poor activity of the honey against S. aureus was unexpected as previous reports which recorded that Maunka honey has an excellent activity against this organism.…”

Trihoney ameliorates hypercholesterolemia-induced epididymal histopathological changes in male rabbits

“…The epididymis was suggested to be an early target of lipid-related infertility and can be dramatically affected by excess intake of a high cholesterol diet (Ouvrier et al, 2011). On the other hand, the interest has been increased towards the use of honey as a prophylactic and therapeutic agent for various diseases as well as for improving and maintaining the overall wellbeing (Inoue et al, 2005;Nweze et al, 2016;Pyrzynska & Biesaga, 2009). Trihoney is a mixture of three types of honey namely Trigona, Mellifera and Tualang at a specific ratio.…”

Therapeutic Properties of Honey

“…In other words, honey has proven to be an effective antimicrobial activity against both pathogenic and nonpathogenic microorganisms (such as bacteria, yeasts, and fungi), even in opposition to those microorganisms which have developed resistance to many antibiotics. The honey's antimicrobial effect could be bacteriostatic or bactericidal, relying upon the concentration used [4,11]. Notwithstanding, its potentials have been credited to specific variables like high osmolarity (low water action), low pH (acidity), hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), and non-peroxide components [12,13].…”

“…These unfastened radicals are initiated by specific leucocytes that are stimulated as major aspect of the inflammatory process, as inflammatory processes are what activate the series of cellular events which precipitate to the initiation of growth factors that influence proliferation of fibroblasts, angiogenesis, and epithelial cells [21]. Several honey types from different countries have been reported to have anti-inflammatory effect, including honeys from stingless bees [4].…”

“…The therapeutic potential of honey is greatly complex as a result of the action of various compounds as well as due to large variations in the concentrations of these compounds among honeys. The major biological properties that make it perfect as a therapeutic agent are antimicrobial (bactericidal or fungicidal), bacteriostatic (or fungistatic), anti-inflammatory potential, wound (sunburn healing) potential, antioxidant potential, radical scavenging activity, and antiviral activity [4][5][6]. Apart from boosting of the immune system, it can be used to treat other medical conditions such as diarrhea, gastric ulcer, canine recurrent dermatitis, diabetics, tumor, and arthritis and can also be used for skin disinfection and wound healing.…”