Study of the Anti-Staphylococcal Potential of Honeys Produced in Northern Poland

Abstract

The antimicrobial activity of 144 samples of honeys including 95 products from apiaries located in Northern Poland was evaluated. The antibacterial activity of those natural products, their thermal stability, and activity in the presence of catalase was investigated by microdilution assays in titration plates. The MTT assay was performed for the determination of anti-biofilm activity. Spectrophotometric assays were used for the determination of antioxidant potential, total phenolic content, and ability to generate hydrogen peroxide. Some of the investigated honeys exhibited surprisingly high antimicrobial, especially anti-staphylococcal, potential, with Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values of only 1.56% (v/v). Much higher resistance was observed in the case of staphylococci growing as biofilms. Lower concentrations of the product, up to 12.5% (v/v) stimulated its growth and effective eradication of biofilm required concentration of at least 25% (v/v). Hydrogen peroxide has been identified as a crucial contributor to the antimicrobial activity of honeys supplied by Polish beekeepers. However, some of the results suggest that phytochemicals, especially polyphenols, play an important role depending on botanical source (both positive, e.g., in the case of buckwheat honeys as well as negative, e.g., in the case of some rapeseed honeys) in their antimicrobial potential.

Dissecting the Antimicrobial Composition of Honey

“…This shows promise for the use of honey against multispecies biofilms, especially within wounds. However, the concentration of honey administered needs to be considered, as it has been demonstrated that sub-inhibitory concentrations of honey can improve biofilm formation in S. aureus, rather than inhibit it [16,95]. Therefore, more research is required to define the appropriate concentrations of honey to be administered for this purpose.…”

Physical characteristics and antimicrobial properties of Apis mellifera, Frieseomelitta nigra and Melipona favosa bee honeys from apiaries in Trinidad and Tobago

“…This popular bee product is versatile and is effective against microbes [1][2][3][4], reducing inflammation [5], combating cancer [6], hypertension [7], and liver disease [8], aids in wound healing [3,9] and provides cough relief [10]. An important therapeutic quality of honey is its antimicrobial activity [11][12][13][14]. Investigations into alternative, natural antimicrobial agents such as honey is of immense importance to safeguard human and animal health.…”

“…It protects the bee against American Foulbrood and has potent antimicrobial activity [15,22]. Although honey may contain these compounds and enzymes, there is immense variability in the antimicrobial activities of honeys of different origins due to factors such as the species of bee [12,14], geographical location [23], soil type [24], floral source [25], season [26] and age of honey [11,27].…”

Testimony for veterinary apitherapy

“…26 Although H 2 O 2 is an important factor in the bacterial growth inhibition, polyphenolic compounds and their interaction with H 2 O 2 are the key factors responsible for honey high antibacterial activity. 28 Other micro components honey glycoprotein fractions as antimicrobial peptide bee defensin-1 11,22 exhibited strong growth inhibition by binding and agglutination of bacterial cells or membrane permeabilization of bacterial cells. 29,30 Moreover, the presence of methylglyoxal(MGX) exhibited in manuka honey may modify some honey proteinaceous compounds and therefore affect the glucosidase activity 31 sharing in antimicrobial action.…”

“…There is an important correlation between high antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, 11 moreover, the antioxidant components present in honey [61][62][63] and EEP 61,64 play a great role in their immunomodulation properties. So, the above mentioned bioactive components at least have all antimicrobial, antioxidant and immunological boosting factors.…”