Manuka Honey: A Potent Cariostatic Agent–Anin vitroStudy

Sapna Konde,Javaregowda P Beena,Narayana C Kumar,N Sunil Raj,Punyatoya Sahoo

doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10005-1494

Abstract

AimThe aim of the study was to test the antibacterial activity of manuka honey and compare its efficacy with another commercially available honey (Dabur honey) on the cariogenic bacteria on Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus.Materials and methodsAn in vitro study was carried out on 40 agar specimens; the samples were divided into two groups of 20 samples consisting of S. mutans and Lactobacil-lus respectively. The 20 samples in each group were further subdivided into four groups of five each, which were tested with 25% manuka honey, 100% manuka honey, 25% Dabur honey, and 100% Dabur honey for both Lactobacillus and S. mutans groups. The antibacterial activity was tested using the agar well diffusion method against S. mutans and Lacto-bacillus. Antibacterial activity was assessed by measuring the diameter of inhibition of zones surrounding the wells. The results obtained were statistically analyzed (one-way analysis of variance test, p-value).ResultsThe results showed that 25% of manuka honey has statistically significant (p ≤ 0.001) antibacterial effect than 25% of Dabur honey on both Streptococcus and Lactobacillus species, and manuka honey with 100% concentration showed a statistically significant (p ≤ 0.001) antibacterial effect than 100% Dabur honey on the same species of bacteria. 100% of both the honeys showed statistically significant (p ≤ 0.001) antibacterial effect than 25% concentrations of the same on S. mutans and Lactobacillus.ConclusionManuka honey had more antibacterial activity than Dabur honey on S. mutans and Lactobacillus bacteria in the in vitro study. This effect was dependent on the concentration of honey used.How to cite this article: Beena JP, Sahoo P, Konde S, Raj SN, Kumar NC, Agarwal M. Manuka Honey: A Potent Cariostatic Agent—An in vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2018;11(2):105-109.

Highlights

Honey has been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians, the Hebrew kingdoms, and historically in China, India, Greece, Rome, and many other nations.[1]
The results showed that 25% of manuka honey has statistically significant (p ≤ 0.001) antibacterial effect than 25% of Dabur honey on both Streptococcus and Lactobacillus species, and manuka honey with 100% concentration showed a statistically significant (p ≤ 0.001) antibacterial effect than 100% Dabur honey on the same species of bacteria. 100% of both the honeys showed statistically significant (p ≤ 0.001) antibacterial effect than 25% concentrations of the same on S. mutans and Lactobacillus
The honey samples were tested for their antibacterial activity, according to the agar well-diffusion method proposed by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) against the two reference strains: (1) S. mutans and (2) Lactobacillus species

Summary

Introduction

Honey has been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians, the Hebrew kingdoms, and historically in China, India, Greece, Rome, and many other nations.[1] It is considered as an alternative medicine due to many health benefits attributed to it.[2] Emphasis is placed on the antibacterial properties of honey. Honey is produced by bees from the nectars they collect from flowers. When a bee collects nectar from flowers, it secretes into it enzymes from its pharyngeal gland. There are generally two varieties of honey, monofloral and polyfloral. Monofloral means it is sourced from one species of flora. The honey which is produced from the pollen and nectar from several species of flora is known as polyfloral honey.[3]

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