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.
Highlights
For centuries honey was a popular sweet component of the human diet, but was one of the most important drugs used in folk medicine [1]
The results from this study revealed that some honeys produced in Polish apiaries could be used as an alternative agent for treatment of infections caused by staphylococci
Due to the high resistance of staphylococcal biofilm, only undiluted honey or solutions containing at least 25% of the product can be considered for therapeutic purposes
Summary
For centuries honey was a popular sweet component of the human diet, but was one of the most important drugs used in folk medicine [1]. Regular consumption of this product provides a number of health benefits and its therapeutic potential depends on the botanical origin of the nectar that is used for production of the honey. L.) honey is proposed as a remedy for prostate, liver and biliary system diseases. Honey is used in treatment of infectious diseases, especially difficult-to-heal infected wounds [1,3].
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