Artificial Honey Research Articles

Application of Steady-State and Time-Resolved Fluorescence Spectroscopy in Identification of Bee Products

In this study, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy techniques have been applied to determine fluorescence characteristics and fluorescence decay kinetics parameters (fluorescence lifetimes and their amplitudes) of available on the Polish market bee products, including several nectar honeys, royal jelly, bee bread in honey and in liquid artificial honey. The fluorescence properties of the tested bee products arise from the presence of a unique composition of aromatic amino acids, vitamins, phenolic compounds and Maillard reaction products. In the 300–550 nm region of the emission spectra (excited at 280 nm), each of the tested bee products exhibited (showed) a specific and distinctive vibronic structure, which was not observed in the spectrum of artificial honey. Quantitative and qualitative composition as well as specific interactions between fluorescent constituents determine the specific fluorescence characteristics of a given bee product providing a unique fingerprint that can be used in the identification of bee products of different botanical origin. Combination of stationary and time-resolved fluorescence techniques seems to be a promising approach in the identification, authentication and quality control of bee products to verify their health-beneficial properties.

In vitro activity of Western Australian honeys and Manuka honey against clinically important yeasts.

With the steady rise in antifungal resistance amongst clinically important yeasts, antifungal drug discovery remains of the utmost importance. To determine the potential of some honeys as alternative antifungal agents, we quantified the antifungal activity of 12 Western Australian honey samples, two Manuka honey samples and an artificial honey against 10 yeast isolates including clinical and reference strains. Results showed that the tested honeys varied in activity, and yeasts species also differed in susceptibility, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) determined by broth microdilution ranging from 8% to >44% w/v honey. Honeys with the highest overall activity were derived from Blackbutt (Eucalyptus patens), Jarrah (E. marginata), and Karri (E. diversicolor). The optical density of each MIC microtitre plate was determined after incubation and showed that at relatively low concentrations of honey the growth of all yeasts was enhanced compared to the untreated control, whereas at and above approximately 12% w/v, honeys exerted a dose-dependent growth inhibitory effect, the extent of which varied by honey type. Time-kill studies with 64% w/v honey showed that all eight of the natural honeys tested had greater fungicidal activity than the comparator artificial honey. Our findings suggest that the specific nectar-derived phytochemicals present within each honey play an important role in antifungal activity, and support the notion that activity is due to a combination of factors including osmotic activity, hydrogen peroxide and phytochemical compounds. These data indicate that honey is worthy of further investigation as a potential therapeutic agent for superficial yeast infections.

Hybrid weight optimized deep learning for autism and visual sensory processing disorder detection: A heuristic strategy on medical domain

An Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affected individual has several difficulties with social-emotional cues. The existing model is observed with emotional face processing in adolescents and ASD and Typical Development (TD) by utilizing various body parameters. Scanning facial expressions is the initial task, and recognizing the face’s sensitivity to different emotional expressions is the next complex task. To address this shortcoming, in this work, a new autism and visual Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) detection model for supporting healthcare applications by processing facial expressions and sensory data of heart rate and body temperature. Here, initially, the individual data regarding facial emotions and other body parameters like heart rate and body temperature are collected from various subjects. Then, the selection of optimal features is executed by a hybrid algorithm named Density Factor-based Artificial Bee Honey Badger Optimization (DF-ABHBO), where the most essential features are attained and fed to the detection phase. The optimal feature selection is made by resolving the fitness function with constraints like correlation, data variance, and cosine similarity for inter and intra-class. Finally, the autism and visual SPD detection are performed through a Hybrid Weight Optimized Deep Neural Recurrent Network (HWODNRN), where the hyperparameter and weights of “Deep Neural Network (DNN) and Recurrent Neural Network (RNN)” are optimized with the developed DF-ABHBO technique. From the result analysis, the accuracy and F1-score rate of the offered DF-ABHBO-HWODNRN method have attained 96% and 93%. The findings obtained from the simulations of the designed system achieve better performance.

Comparing antipseudomonal effects of honey samples with different geographical and botanical origin

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, resistant to all broad-spectrum antibiotics, is on the World Health Organization's list of first-priority critical pathogens. Using reserve antibiotics, such as colistin, highlights the imperative for safer, more effective alternatives to combat these superbugs.Medical-grade honey, known for its antibacterial properties and efficacy in wound healing, emerges as a promising candidate.This study analyzed eleven honey samples, diverse in geographical, botanical, and entomological origins, for their antipseudomonal activity using the agar well-diffusion method. Zones of inhibition growth were measured in mm. The function switch was used to approximate the zones of inhibition values for antibacterial activity expressed as minimal inhibitory concentrations MIC99, MIC90, and MIC80, the lowest concentration, killing 99 %, 90 %, and 80 % of organisms, respectively. The authenticity and quality of honey samples complied with the European Commission, Codex Alimentarius, and Serbia Rulebook standards for honey. Melissopalynological analysis ensured the botanical authenticity of tested honey samples. A unique aspect of this research is that it included a honey sample from Serbia's Zlatar mountain region, harvested from Apis mellifera carnica bee colonies. The study's findings reveal that wild-type and multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas clinical isolates were susceptible to the tested honey samples. Honeydew honey from Zlatar showed the highest antibacterial activity on both tested bacteria. Honeydew and buckwheat honey from Zlatar yielded larger inhibition zones than manuka honey. Artificial honey showed no antibacterial effect.In conclusion, this research suggests the potential of honey, particularly from Zlatar, as an alternative therapy for treating infected wounds, warranting further investigation into its antimicrobial efficacy.

Predicting compressive and flexural strength of high-performance concrete using a dynamic Catboost Regression model combined with individual and ensemble optimization techniques

Compressive Strength (CS) and Flexural Strength (FS) cannot be overstated when designing reinforced concrete structures, as industry standards govern these factors. Creating reliable predictive models for these properties offers the potential to enhance cost-effectiveness and efficiency by decreasing the necessity for numerous rounds of lab testing and iterative experiments, which are essential for obtaining valuable design information. In construction, evaluating the characteristics of advanced high-performance concrete (HPC) is crucial. Machine learning techniques are widely recognized as competent tools for forecasting the mechanical characteristics of concrete substances. This research centers on the comparison of different algorithms, including the standalone Catboost Regression model (CAT), hybrid models that incorporate the CAT model along with two distinct optimization algorithms, namely Artificial Rabbits Optimization (ARO) and Honey Badger Algorithm (HBA), as well as an ensemble approach that combines CAT with the ARO-HBA ensemble optimization algorithm. Considering the results indicated by the R2 values, the CAHB model showed significantly better performance in predicting both CS (R2trainCAHB=0.996) and FS (R2trainCAHB=0.994). Furthermore, when examining statistical accuracy metrics such as RMSE and MAE, it became evident that CAHB performed significantly better than CAT in forecasting the mechanical properties of concrete.

Metabolomics and network pharmacology reveal the mechanism of Castanopsis honey against Streptococcus pyogenes

Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) is one of the most virulent and infectious bacteria, severely threatening health and lives of people worldwide. Honey has been proven to have effective capability against GAS, but the underlying metabolites and mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, the Castanopsis honey (CH) showed significant antibacterial ability compared to other seven kinds of honey and artificial honey. Furthermore, the antibacterial metabolites and their targets in CH were screened by combined method of metabolomics, network pharmacology, and molecular docking. The results suggested that the activities of two antioxidant enzymes, glutathione peroxidase and tyrosyl tRNA synthetase identified as the primary targets, were significantly inhibited by CH, which significantly increased the level of oxidative stress in GAS. The results revealed a possibly novel mechanism regulating the oxidative stress and inhibits the growth in bacteria, providing strong experimental evidence to support the further development of CH as a novel antibacterial agent.

Blueberry floral probiotics: nectar microbes inhibit the growth of Colletotrichum pathogens.

To identify whether microorganisms isolated from blueberry flowers can inhibit the growth of Colletotrichum, an opportunistic plant pathogen that infects flowers and threatens yields, and to assess the impacts of floral microbes and Colletotrichum pathogens on artificial nectar sugars and honey bee consumption. The growth inhibition of Colletotrichum (Colletotrichum acutatum, Colletotrichum fioriniae, and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) was screened using both artificial nectar co-culture and dual culture plate assays. All candidate nectar microbes were screened for antagonism against a single C. acutatum isolate. Then, the top four candidate nectar microbes showing the strongest inhibition of C. acutatum (Neokomagataea thailandica, Neokomagataea tanensis, Metschnikowia rancensis, and Symmetrospora symmetrica) were evaluated for antagonism against three additional C. acutatum isolates, and single isolates of both C. fioriniae and C. gloeosporioides. In artificial nectar assays, single and three-species cultures inhibited the growth of two of four C. acutatum isolates by ca. 60%, but growth of other Colletotrichum species was not affected. In dual culture plate assays, inhibition was observed for all Colletotrichum species for at least three of four selected microbial antagonists (13%‒53%). Neither honey bee consumption of nectar nor nectar sugar concentrations were affected by any microbe or pathogen tested. Selected floral microbes inhibited growth of all Colletotrichum species in vitro, although the degree of inhibition was specific to the assay and pathogen examined. In all microbial treatments, nectar sugars were preserved, and honey bee preference was not affected.

The Antibacterial Properties of Polish Honey against Streptococcus mutans-A Causative Agent of Dental Caries.

Streptococcus mutans is considered the main pathogen responsible for dental caries, one of the major infectious diseases, affecting more than 4 billion people worldwide. Honey is a natural product with well-known antibacterial potential against several human pathogens. The aim of the study was to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of Polish honey against S. mutans and analyze the role of some bioactive substances on its antibacterial action. The antibacterial potential of different honey varieties (goldenrod, buckwheat, honeydew, and lime) was analyzed using a microdilution assay. Manuka and artificial honey were used as controls. The content of GOX, hydrogen peroxide, total polyphenols, and antioxidant potential was assayed in honey. The influence of catalase and proteinase K on antibacterial activity as well as antibiofilm action was also determined. The strongest antibacterial activity was observed for buckwheat, honeydew, and manuka honey, which were also characterized by the highest antioxidant activity and polyphenols content. Catalase treatment decreases the antibacterial activity of honey, while proteinase K treatment influences the antibacterial potential of honey slightly less. Obtained results suggest that honey can be a good natural product against S. mutans, and hydrogen peroxide was identified as a crucial contributor to its antimicrobial action.

Effectiveness of neutral honey as a tissue fixative in histopathology.

Background: In routine histopathology, 10% neutral buffered formalin (NBF) is the choice fixative. However, formalin is a human carcinogen, so there is a necessity for a safer alternative. To the best of our knowledge, neutral honey, not natural or artificial honey, has not been tested to fix histological samples. This study determined the effectiveness of neutral buffered honey and other types of fixatives to fix histological tissues. Methods: The study was conducted between July 2019 and August 2020 at Sultan Qaboos University, Oman. Sections from three rat livers, kidneys, and stomach tissues were fixed with 10% NBF, neutral buffered Sumer honey, neutral buffered date honey, formalin, Sumer honey, date honey, alcoholic formalin, alcoholic Sumer honey, and alcoholic date honey for 24 hours. Samples were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), special stains, and vimentin methods. Three expert biomedical scientists then evaluated the fixed and stained samples for the quality of all sections. The fixation ability of the different honey solutions was then compared to 10% NBF and the utility was determined using nuclear and cytoplasmic criteria, specificity, and intensity. Results: H&E showed adequate staining in all groups compared to 10% NBF. The specificity and intensity of all groups for the Periodic acid-Schiff method were identical to 10% NBF except for Sumer honey and alcoholic date honey. Vimentin showed comparable findings with 10% NBF as there were no significant differences. Conclusions: The findings of this study encourage the use of honey, including neutral, as a possible safe substitute fixative for formalin, however, further experiments on larger specimens should be conducted.

Characterisation of physicochemical parameters and antibacterial properties of New Caledonian honeys.

Honey is an attractive natural product with various health benefits. A few honey-based commercial products have successfully been adopted in clinics to improve wound healing. However, screening of other potential sources of medical-grade honey, in particular, honeys from territories with high floral species diversity and high endemicity, is highly needed. The goal of this study was to characterise the physicochemical and antibacterial properties of New Caledonian honey samples (n = 33) and to elucidate the major mechanism of their antibacterial action. Inhibitory antibacterial activity of honeys against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was determined with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay. Enzymatic activity of glucose oxidase and the content of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in honey samples were analysed. Furthermore, total protein content of honeys together with their electrophoretic protein profiles were also determined in the study. The antibacterial efficacy of 24% of the tested honey samples was slightly superior to that of manuka honey with unique manuka factor 15+. The antibacterial activity of catalase-treated honey sample solutions was significantly reduced, suggesting that H2O2 is a key antibacterial compound of diluted honeys. However, the kinetic profiles of H2O2 production in most potent honeys at a MIC value of 6% was not uniform. Under the experimental conditions, we found that a H2O2 concentration of 150 μM in diluted honeys is a critical concentration for inhibiting the growth of S. aureus. In contrast, 150 μM H2O2 in artificial honey solution was not able to inhibit bacterial growth, suggesting a role of phytochemicals in the antibacterial activity of natural honey. In addition, the continuous generation of H2O2 in diluted honey demonstrated an ability to counteract additional bacteria in re-inoculation experiments. In conclusion, the tested New Caledonian honey samples showed strong antibacterial activity, primarily based on H2O2 action, and therefore represent a suitable source for medical-grade honey.

Effectiveness of neutral honey as a tissue fixative in histopathology

Background: In routine histopathology, 10% neutral buffered formalin (NBF) is the choice fixative. However, formalin is a human carcinogen, so there is a necessity for a safer alternative. To the best of our knowledge, neutral honey, where the pH is around seven, not natural or artificial honey, has not been tested to fix histological samples. This study determined the effectiveness of neutral buffered honey and other types of fixatives to fix histological tissues. Methods: The study was conducted between July 2019 and August 2020 at Sultan Qaboos University, Oman. Sections from three rat livers, kidneys, and stomach tissues were fixed with 10% NBF, neutral buffered Sumer honey (dwarf honey bee), neutral buffered date honey, formalin, Sumer honey, date honey, alcoholic formalin, alcoholic Sumer honey, and alcoholic date honey for 24 hours. Samples were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), special stains, and vimentin methods. Three expert biomedical scientists then evaluated the fixed and stained samples for the quality of all sections. The fixation ability of the different honey solutions was then compared to 10% NBF and the utility was determined using nuclear and cytoplasmic criteria, specificity, and intensity. Results: H&E showed adequate nuclear staining in all groups compared to 10% NBF. The specificity and intensity of all groups for the Periodic acid–Schiff method were identical to 10% NBF except for Sumer honey and alcoholic date honey. Vimentin showed comparable findings with 10% NBF as there were no significant differences. Conclusions: The findings of this study encourage the use of honey, including neutral, as a possible safe substitute fixative for formalin, however, further experiments on larger specimens should be conducted.

Honey analysis in terms of nicotine, patulin and other mycotoxins contamination by UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS - method development and validation

Fifty-seven samples of honey of different types and origins were screened for nicotine and nine mycotoxins (aflatoxin B1, aflatoxin B2, fusarenon X, ochratoxin A, penicillic acid, zearalenone, sterigmatocystin, gliotoxin, and patulin). The sample set consisted of monofloral, multifloral, nectar, honeydrew, cream, and artificial honey originating mainly from Poland. The physicochemical characterization of honey was performed by determining colour (by Pfund method), water content (by refractometry), total phenolics and flavonoids content (by spectrophotometry). For nicotine and mycotoxins determination a QuEChERS-based UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS method was developed and validated. Analyses were carried out in alkaline conditions to ensure patulin-methanol adduct formation and facilitate this mycotoxin detection. About 33% of tested honey samples were contaminated by nicotine or/and mycotoxins. However, the presence of mycotoxins was not related to herein evaluated physicochemical parameters of honey samples.

Monitoring the Release of Methylglyoxal (MGO) from Honey and Honey-Based Formulations

Methylglyoxal (MGO) is considered to be one of the vital components responsible for the anti-bacterial activity of Leptospermum spp. (Manuka) honey. While many studies have demonstrated a dose-dependent antibacterial activity for MGO in vitro, from a therapeutic viewpoint, it is also important to confirm its release from Manuka honey and also from Manuka honey-based formulations. This study is the first to report on the release profile of MGO from five commercial products containing Manuka honey using a Franz diffusion cell and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis. The release of MGO expressed as percentage release of MGO content at baseline was monitored over a 12 h period and found to be 99.49 and 98.05% from an artificial honey matrix and NZ Manuka honey, respectively. For the investigated formulations, a time-dependent % MGO release between 85% and 97.18% was noted over the 12 h study period.

3-Phenyllactic Acid and Polyphenols Are Substances Enhancing the Antibacterial Effect of Methylglyoxal in Manuka Honey

Manuka honey is known for its unique antibacterial activity, which is due to methylglyoxal (MGO). After establishing a suitable assay for measuring the bacteriostatic effect in a liquid culture with a time dependent and continuous measurement of the optical density, we were able to show that honey differs in its growth retardingeffect on Bacillus subtilis despite the same content of MGO, indicating the presence of potentially synergistic compounds. In model studies using artificial honey with varying amounts of MGO and 3-phenyllactic acid (3-PLA), it was shown that 3-PLA in concentrations above 500 mg/kg enhances the bacteriostatic effect of the model honeys containing 250 mg/kg MGO or more. It has been shown that the effect correlates with the contents of 3-PLA and polyphenols in commercial manuka honey samples. Additionally, yet unknown substances further enhance the antibacterial effect of MGO in manuka honey. The results contribute to the understanding of the antibacterial effect of MGO in honey.

A Modified Folin-Ciocalteu Assay for the Determination of Total Phenolics Content in Honey

The Folin-Ciocalteu assay is a widely used method for measuring the total phenolic content (TPC) in honey, but it can be affected by the presence of reducing sugars in honey, which can lead to interference and an over-estimation of its TPC. To optimize the Folin-Ciocalteu assay for honey analysis, the effect of pH on the assay was investigated. A number of pH scenarios were tested using different concentrations of Na2CO3 (0.00%, 0.75%, 0.94%, and 7.50%) in order to minimize reducing sugar interference and maximize the reaction of phenolics in the assay. The modified TPC method was then validated in accordance with current International Council on Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines. The findings of this study demonstrate that the traditional Folin-Ciocalteu assay (using 7.50% aqueous Na2CO3 solution, pH 10.8) leads to a significant overestimation of the TPC of honey due to the interference of reducing sugars. However, a pH of 7.9, achieved by using a 0.75% aqueous Na2CO3 solution, provides suitable conditions to account for most of the phenolic compounds without interference from reducing sugars. This finding was further confirmed by testing various sugar solutions and artificial honey which yielded TPC values below the established limit of detection and quantification of the assay. However, a slight increase in pH, even by a moderate deviation (pH 8.9), leads to significant discrepancies in absorbance readings, indicating that pH control is crucial for the accurate analysis of TPC in honey.

(U)śmiechy kobiet. Komizm a emancypacja w piosenkach Agnieszki Osieckiej

(Smiling) Laughter of a Woman. Comedy and Emancipation in the Songs of Agnieszka Osiecka The article interprets the oeuvre of Agnieszka Osiecka in the context of communist aesthetics and the feminist theory. Analyzed were the songs Damą być (To Be a Lady), Nie ma jak pompa (There Is Nothing Like Splendour) oraz Sztuczny miód (Artificial Honey). The author recognises them as songs of emancipatory character. Research tools constructed by Bohdan Dziemidok were introduced and combined with the theses developed by Henri Bergson, while being focused on the communal dimension of laughter. Amongst all the feminist theoreticians, Hélène Cixous proved to be most inspiring. With their help the constructing methods used by the poet that support the emancipatory efforts of women fighting for their decision-making rights and independence during communist times were characterised. The analysis is supplemented by interpreting the performances of Osiecka’s songs as well as alluding to the theory from the area of song studies.

ПАЛИНОЛОГИЧЕСКОЕ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ МЁДА В РЕСПУБЛИКЕ БУРЯТИЯ

In recent years, agricultural production has been given the strategic task of intensifying and strengthening the production of a quality food product. Many experts testify that indicators regulated by documents, although providing sufficient information about the quality of honey, they do not allow characterizing some properties, for example, its botanical origin. The botanical type of honey is substantiated by the nectar collection area. In practice, examples are given when natural honey is falsified by introducing various impurities into it. For example, they falsify with sugar, flour, starch, sugar syrup, starch and sugar syrup, artificial honey. Palynological analysis is the most objective method for assessing the botanical origin of honey, on which many of its value and quality characteristics depend. The goal is to study the palynological composition of honey obtained in the conditions of the Republic of Buryatia, identify falsification and confirm naturalness. The studies were carried out using a Carl Zeiss Primo Star microscope. The morphometric study was carried out on a Carl Zeiss Primo Star microscope at a magnification of about 10, volume 5 in the program Zeiss Efficien tNavigation (ZEN). Results: Microscopic examination revealed crystals of various shapes in the samples: needle-shaped, star-shaped, irregular and regular geometric shapes. In natural honey, crystals should only be needle-shaped and star-shaped. According to the results of the research, it was revealed that crystals were found in 40 % of the studied samples, namely, regular and irregular geometric shapes. This indicates that honey samples are falsified and made by bees using sugar syrup or sugar. Based on a palynological study, pollen grains were found in all 20 samples studied, corresponding to their botanical origin. Solitary pollen grains of other associated plants were also found. This method of analyzing honey allows you to detect falsification of a product with sugar or powdered sugar under a microscope, as well as fungal spores, pollen grains of plants.

СРАВНЕНИЕ ОРГАНОЛЕПТИЧЕСКИХ И ФИЗИКО-ХИМИЧЕСКИХ ПОКАЗАТЕЛЕЙ НАТУРАЛЬНОГО И ФАЛЬСИФИЦИРОВАННОГО МЕДА

Currently, such falsifications of honey as «sugar honey» (obtained by feeding bees with sugar syrup during the honey collection time) and «artificial honey» (obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis of sucrose) are the most common and difficult to detect. To identify them, the comprehensive assessment of organoleptic and physicochemical parameters is carried out. It’s a labor- and time-consuming process, and, unfortunately, doesn’t always guarantee obtaining objective results. The paper presents the results of palynological, organoleptic and physicochemical analyzes of these falsifications, as well as samples of natural linden tree honey. It has been established that both falsifications were characterized by a low content of pollen grains. The analysis of their organoleptic parameters didn’t reveal significant deviations from the standards. The reliable data have been obtained as the result of a comprehensive assessment of physicochemical parameters, both regulated by State Standards and some additional ones. The determination of hydrogen peroxide content (H2O2 ) is the most promising additional indicators.

A Comprehensive HPTLC-Based Analysis of the Impacts of Temperature on the Chemical Properties and Antioxidant Activity of Honey.

Honeys are commonly subjected to a series of post-harvest processing steps, such as filtration and/or radiation treatment and heating to various temperatures, which might affect their physicochemical properties and bioactivity levels. Therefore, there is a need for robust quality control assessments after honey processing and storage to ensure that the exposure to higher temperatures, for example, does not compromise the honey's chemical composition and/or antioxidant activity. This paper describes a comprehensive short-term (48 h) and long-term (5 months) study of the effects of temperature (40 °C, 60 °C and 80 °C) on three commercial honeys (Manuka, Marri and Coastal Peppermint) and an artificial honey, using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis. Samples were collected at baseline, at 6 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h, and then monthly for five months. Then, they were analysed for potential changes in their organic extract HPTLC fingerprints, in their HPTLC-DPPH total band activities, in their major sugar composition and in their hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content. It was found that, while all the assessed parameters changed over the monitoring period, changes were moderate at 40 °C but increased significantly with increasing temperature, especially the honeys' HPTLC-DPPH total band activity and HMF content.

P100 Potent inhibition of dermatophyte fungi by Australian native jarrah honey

Poster session 1, September 21, 2022, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM ObjectivesHoney has been used as a remedy for multiple ailments, and the antibacterial activity of many different floral honeys has been extensively explored. The capacity of honey to inhibit fungi is much less well understood. Here we investigate the inhibition of dermatophyte species by native Australian jarrah honey.MethodsJarrah honey was sourced from beekeepers and commercial suppliers. Artificial honey, made from glucose (22.9%), fructose (20.7%), and sucrose (1.6%), was used to control for osmolarity. Hydrogen peroxide production by honey was assessed using horseradish peroxidase (HRP)/ο‐dianisidine colorimetric test. Dermatophytes included Microsporum canis, M. nanum, Nannizzia gypsea, Trichophyton interdigitale, T. rubrum, and T. tonsurans. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) for honey were assessed using CLSI methods. Fluorescent and scanning electron microscopy were used to visualize the effect of honey on fungal conidia and hyphae.ResultsJarrah honey inhibited all of the dermatophyte species with MICs ranging from 1.5-3.5% w/v, and MFCs from 2-5% w/v. No antifungal activity was seen with the artificial honey indicating this was not due to osmolarity. Microscopy revealed honey treatment prevented the germination of conidia and caused hyphae to bulge and collapse. While the inhibitory action of jarrah honey was greatly reduced by the addition of catalase suggesting hydrogen peroxide production was responsible for inhibition and killing, microscopy revealed hyphae were still damaged suggesting there are agents within honey that augment antifungal activity. REDOX fluorophores failed to detect internal oxidative stress within hyphae, indicating that damage likely occurs on the hyphal surface.ConclusionJarrah honey is a non-toxic agent that may have utility in the treatment of superficial fungal infections caused by dermatophyte fungal species.