Dilution Of Honey Research Articles

Sensitive immunoenzyme assay for the detection of antibiotic flumequine in honey.

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics are used to cure and protect bees and apiaries from infections. Consequently, they may contaminate honey and other products of beekeeping. In this study, a highly sensitive immunoenzyme assay (EIA) was for the first time developed for the determination of a fluoroquinolone flumequine (FLU) in honey. The EIA was carried out in an indirect competitive format with colorimetric detection. The analysis was characterized by a low limit of detection of 30 pg mL-1. The polyclonal antibodies used showed no cross-reactivity with 24 other (fluoro)quinolones; the assay was highly specific only toward FLU. Different coating FLU-protein conjugates were tested to achieve the most sensitive competitive immunodetection. A highly simplified and rapid (3-5 min) sample preparation was proposed based on the 100-300 times dilution of honey by a buffer. The developed EIA has been tested to detect FLU in honey of different origins, namely acacia, flower, buckwheat, chestnut, and linden honey. It has been demonstrated that 76.2-115.9% of FLU could be determined by the assay. The versatility, simplicity, and rapidity of the EIA enable us to propose this method as an effective tool to control the contamination of honey.

PREPARATION AND EVALUATION OF MEAD

Mead is an alcoholic beverage which is obtained by fermentation of honey must, with the possible addition of various spices and hops having about 9% to 18% alcohol by volume. Honey itself contains many phenolic and flavonoids which are great source of antioxidants the content of which increases upon further fermentation of honey. Therefore, consumption of honey or mead has huge positive health impact. Honey consists of more than 70% sugar therefore the fermentation is carried out by dilution of honey by adding appropriate water. The fermentation of honey to produce mead was done using different honey and the quality of the mead was determined by alcohol content, antioxidant activity, total soluble solid and organoleptic quality of all the produced mead was analyzed. Four different honeys were collected out of which two were commercial honey and two were honey from local market. Twelve different blend of honey musts were prepared. The fermentation process was carried out by Saccharomyces cerevisiae standard culture for the production of alcohol. Standard wine yeast and bakers yeast were used as starter culture. The fermentation was carried out until constant total soluble solid was obtained. The alcohol content of the mead was in the range of 9% to 12%. The fermented mead also showed antioxidant activity, and had acceptable organoleptic characteristics.

Automatic NMR-based protocol for assessment of honey authenticity

1H NMR analysis of organic extracts of honey is a powerful technique to confirm its botanical origin, thanks to the presence of signals that are specific to each floral typology. Similarly, signals from bee metabolites provide an important tool to verify honey entomological origin. Here, we present a method for honey screening that does not require any detailed analysis of the NMR spectrum for the detection and quantification of such markers. Our approach is based on the measurement of two spectral parameters, named entomological factor (EF) and aromatic factor (AF), calculated by integration of well-defined regions of the NMR spectrum. The values of EF and AF can reveal direct or indirect dilution of honey with sugar syrups. This method was tested on honeys of different floral origins and could identify all adulterated samples previously recognized by official techniques. Notably, several samples found compliant by official methods were proven non-genuine by the proposed approach.

Influence of Honey bee Nutritive Jelly Type and Dilution on its Bactericidal Effect on Melissococcus plutonius, the Etiological Agent of European Foulbrood

To defend themselves against pathogenic microorganisms, honey bees resort to social immunity mechanisms, such as the secretion of antibiotic compounds in the jelly they feed to their larvae. Whereas the bactericidal activity of jelly fed to queen larvae is well studied, little is known about the bioactivity of compositionally different jelly fed to worker larvae. However, the numerous worker larvae are likely to drive the spread of the microorganism and influence its virulence and pathogenesis. Diluted jelly or extracts are mostly used for jelly bioactivity tests, which may bias the evaluation of the pathogen’s resistance and virulence. Here, we compared the bactericidal effect of pure and diluted jellies destined for queen and worker larvae on Melissococcus plutonius, the etiological agent of the European foulbrood (EFB) disease of honey bees, and on a secondary invader bacteria, Enterococcus faecalis. We tested three strains of M. plutonius with varying virulence to investigate the association between resistance to antibacterial compounds and virulence. The resistance of the bacteria varied but was not strictly correlated with their virulence and was lower in pure than in diluted jelly. Resistance differed according to whether the jelly was destined for queen or worker larvae, with some strains being more resistant to queen jelly and others to worker jelly. Our results provide a biologically realistic assessment of host defenses via nutritive jelly and contribute to a better understanding of the ecology of M. plutonius and of secondary invaders bacteria in the honey bee colony environment, thus shedding light on the selective forces affecting their virulence and on their role in EFB pathogenesis.

Оценка кристаллогенной активности меда северных территорий Нижегородской области в различных разведениях

Crystallization of honey is one of its main properties. The component composition of honey has been studied for a very long time, but there are no express methods for examining its characteristics. For this reason, the issue of finding innovative methods for assessing the quality and safety of bee honey remains relevant at the present time. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of various honey dilutions on the crystallization of a model crystal-forming solution. Twenty samples of polyfler honey collected from apiaries located on the territory of the Shakhunya district of the Nizhny Novgorod region in the summer served as the material for the study. 4 samples were formed from each collected honey sample, the mass of each of which was 0.1 g, then homogenization of all samples was carried out. By adding an appropriate amount of saline solution to the honey samples, the following dilutions were obtained: 1:4, 1:8, 1:16, 1:32. A control sample representing 0.9% sodium chloride solution was also used. 100 μl of substrate from each sample was applied to a slide and dried in vivo. Facias were analyzed by microscopy using qualitative and quantitative criteria. It was found that in micro-preparations of diluted honey, the density of crystalline elements monotonically increases from the minimum dilution to the maximum. This is due to the high concentration of carbohydrates in honey, which are known inhibitors of crystallization. The use of this testing method during the examination will allow to identify the presence of honey adulterants with artificially increased sugar content.

Interaction between properties of commercial Australian honey and saliva: in vitro exploratory study of a potential mechanism in the treatment of oral mucositis.

Oral mucositis is a debilitating oncology treatment side effect, with honey identified as a viable management option due to established wound-healing abilities. However, effects of saliva on properties attributed to honey's wound-healing abilities is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to identify interactions between saliva, and antioxidant characteristics and pH of honey. Saliva was collected from 15 healthy participants (Females n=9; mean age=34.1±11.2 years). Centrifuged salivary supernatant, whole saliva, and water were independently used to dilute commercial Australian honeys (n=42). Antioxidant characteristics (DPPH and FRAP) and pH of diluted honeys were analysed, and differences between dilution conditions were determined. Honey and saliva dilutions increased antioxidant characteristics compared to water, and addition of honey to saliva reduced pH compared with saliva alone. There were significant differences between dilutions for FRAP and pH, and water and salivary conditions for DPPH (p<0.001). No difference was observed between salivary conditions for DPPH (p=0.931), suggesting smaller cells remaining in the supernatant possess antioxidant abilities. However, differences observed for FRAP suggest precipitable molecules, including epithelial and food debris, could provide additional antioxidant power. The addition of saliva to honey may support properties attributed to honey's wound-healing abilities and should be considered in the context of oral mucositis management.

MEAD OF NATURAL FERMENTATION

Mead is an alcoholic fermented obtained from the dilution of honey and water in different amounts, depending on the desired alcohol content. This study aimed to evaluate a natural alcoholic fermentation for mead process. Bee honey was used, also Tahiti lemon, Gala apple and black raisin in order to diversify beekeeping products and to evaluate the effect. The production of pure mead (A) was from 17.60º Brix, the production of lemon mead (B) was from 16.80º Brix, the production of mead raisin (C) was from 19.60º Brix, while mead with apple (D) was from 16.10º Brix, and all mead were produced from wild yeast present in the environment. The alcoholic fermentation occurred at room temperature for 56 days and obtained alcohol content (v/v) and volatile acidity (mEq/l) in A of 4.92% and 24.47, in B of 1.78%. and 8.71, in C of 6.47% and 11.26 and in D of 1.53% and 6.46, respectively. Moreover, after the 56 days of maturation of the mead were obtained the methanol (mg/l) and alcoholic (v/v) content, in this order, in A of 666.67 and 11.04%, in B of 1,000.00 and 6.71%, in C 200.00 and 13.28% and in D 833.33 and 5.06%. From the results obtained can be concluded that only C is within the legislation of the mead standard, but that A and C yeasts presented the highest fermentation potential. Thus, further studies on mead production and a reassessment of the quality and identity standard agreed by Normative Instruction no 34/2012 are required.

Colloidal structure of honey and its influence on antibacterial activity.

Honey colloidal structure emerges as a new trend in research on honey functions since it became recognized as a major factor altering bioactivity of honey compounds. In honey complex matrix, macromolecules self-associate to colloidal particles at the critical concentration, driven by honey viscosity. Sequestration of macromolecules into colloids changes their activities and affects honey antibacterial function. This review fills the 80-year-old gap in research on honey colloidal structure. It summarizes past and current status of the research on honey colloids and describes physicochemical properties and the mechanisms of colloid formation and their dissociation upon honey dilution. The experimental observations are explained in the context of theoretical background of colloidal science. The functional changes and bioactivity of honey macromolecules bound to colloidal particles are illustrated here by the production of H2 O2 by glucose oxidase and the effect they have on antibacterial activity of honey. The changes in the production of H2 O2 and antibacterial activity of honey were coordinated with the changes in the aggregation-dissociation states of honey colloidal particles upon dilution. In all cases, these changes were nonlinear, assuming an inverted U-shaped dose-response curve. At the curve maximum, the production of H2 O2 and antibacterial activity reached the peak. The curve maximum signaled the minimum honey concentration required for the phase separation. With phase transition from two-phase colloidal condense state to dilute state dispersion, the change to opposite effects of dilution on these honey's activities occurred. Thus, the colloidal structure strongly influences bioactivity of honey compounds and affects its antibacterial activity.

Is the Water Supply a Key Factor in Stingless Bees' Intoxication?

Water is an important resource for stingless bees, serving for both honey dilution and the composition of larval food inside nests, yet can be an important route of exposure to pesticides. Assuming bees can forage naturally on pesticide-contaminated or noncontaminated areas, we investigated whether water supply influences the choice between neonicotinoid-dosed or nondosed feeders and on mortality of the stingless bee, Melipona scutellaris (Latreille, Hymenoptera, Apidae). At the field concentration, there was no significant mortality; however, the bees were not able to distinguish the feeders. In the cages containing high-concentration feeders, with water supply, the bees preferred nondosed food, and with no water, the mortality increased. Considering that in the field it is common to find extrapolated concentrations, our work suggested that water may allow avoidance of high dosed food and minimize mortality.

Use of a model to understand the synergies underlying the antibacterial mechanism of H2O2-producing honeys

Honey has been valued as a powerful antimicrobial since ancient times. However, the understanding of the underlying antibacterial mechanism is incomplete. The complexity and variability of honey composition represent a challenge to this scope. In this study, a simple model system was used to investigate the antibacterial effect of, and possible synergies between, the three main stressors present in honey: sugars, gluconic acid, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which result from the enzymatic conversion of glucose on honey dilution. Our results demonstrated that the synergy of H2O2 and gluconic acid is essential for the antibacterial activity of honey. This synergy caused membrane depolarization, destruction of the cell wall, and eventually growth inhibition of E. coli K-12. The presence of H2O2 stimulated the generation of other long-lived ROS in a dose-dependent manner. Sugars caused osmosis-related morphological changes, however, decreased the toxicity of the H2O2/gluconic acid. The susceptibility of catalase and general stress response sigma factor mutants confirmed the synergy of the three stressors, which is enhanced at higher H2O2 concentrations. By monitoring cellular phenotypic changes caused by model honey, we explained how this can be bactericidal even though the antimicrobial compounds which it contains are at non-inhibitory concentrations.

Pollen spectrum of the honey of Apis mellifera L. collected in the period of honey production

Knowledge of the flora that bees visit is important for characterization of their products and conservation of flora and fauna. Thus, this study identified the flora used by Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) during the honey production period through the pollen spectrum. Honey samples were collected at apiaries in the municipality of Cruz das Almas, Bahia, Brazil. International methods for samples preparation were used. ETOH was use for honey dilution and subsequently subjected to acidic treatment by the standard method of acetolysis. The pollen content resulting from the analysis was examined under an optical microscope, with separation and counting of pollen grains. Pollen types were identified by consultation and comparison to reference pollen collections and specialized literature. Twenty-seven pollen types distributed among 19 botanical families were identified in the sample set, and Fabaceae, Rubiaceae, Asteraceae and Sapindaceae were the families with a greater number of pollen types. The most frequent pollen types were Mimosa tenuiflora, Vernonia condensata, Bidens, Hyptis, Amaranthus spinosus, Schefflera morototoni and Serjania pernambucensis, all with relative frequency in samples equal to or greater than 70%. The honey evaluated showed a diverse pollen spectrum, evidencing multifloral characteristic.

An optimized green preparation method for the successful application of Raman spectroscopy in honey studies

Raman spectroscopy represents an emerging technique for food authentication being a fast, reliable analytical method, requiring a minimum sample preparation step. Anyway, as in the case of any analytical techniques, there are some limitations which need to be properly assessed before applying this method in honey authentication. In this regard, the aim of this study consisted in the development of a simple working protocol, for honey sample preparation, which can simultaneously overcome the main limitations of Raman spectroscopy in honey studies, such as crystallization and fluorescence. Thus, in this work, a new green sample preparation method is proposed, discussed and its robustness is tested. It has been demonstrated that through honey dilution, in distilled water, reliable and reproductible spectra could be obtained, allowing the investigation of different types of honey. The main advantage of the method consists in the simultaneously overcoming of the most significant limitations of Raman spectroscopy employment in honey studies, such as crystallization and fluorescence, by a simple 1:1 w/v dilution of honey in distilled water.

Comparison of Effectiveness of Germania Honey Compared to Manuka Honey in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Killing

Purpose: Manuka honey is currently used in medical-grade sterile wound treatment products and has been shown to be effective in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) killing in vitro and in wound healing in a number of case studies and series. Locally produced honey in Pakistan and Chile have been proposed to be as effective as Manuka honey in bacterial killing in vitro, presenting potentially more accessible and affordable alternatives. In this study, we compared the effectiveness of a local Germania honey from Saudi Arabia to Manuka honey MGO 550 for in vitro killing of MRSA. Methodology: Overnight Muller Hinton broth cultures of 50 wound culture isolates of MRSA from 50 patients were incubated with a series of dilutions of Manuka honey MGO 550 and corresponding Germania honey dilutions for 24 h. Turbidity was assessed to determine whether bacterial growth had occurred, and no growth was confirmed by a further 24 h sub-culture on blood agar. Results/Key findings: Manuka honey MGO 550 was significantly more effective than Germania honey at MRSA killing at 100% v/v, 50% v/v and 25% v/v (p=0.025, 0.000265, and 0.000112 respectively) Conclusion: Manuka honey MGO 550 is significantly more effective in killing MRSA in vitro than Germania honey. Germania honey does not appear to be a promising locally produced alternative to Manuka honey for the development of honey-based wound dressings. Further experiments could determine if Germania honey is effective against other bacterial species.

EFFECT OF TRIGONA HONEY ON Escherichia Coli CELL CULTURE GROWTH: IN VITRO STUDY

Honey is considered to be the emerging antibacterial agent that may take over the role of antibiotics in future. Effectiveness of Trigona honey was assessed against E. colicell culture growth using brain heart infusion medium. The antimicrobial activity was examined by agar well diffusion assays, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), time-kill curve and biofilm formation in 96-well plates. Planktonic cells were cultivated in microtiter plates with varying concentrations of honey (10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% w/v) for specific incubation time (24, 48, and 72 hours) at 37oC. The extent of cell growth was estimated by staining with crystal violet dye and taking measurements at 570nm. Agar diffusion assay showed thatTrigona honey to possess highest total antibacterial activity against E.coli, 18.2±0.6 mm, 17.2±0.4 mm, 15.2±0.3 mm, 13.5±0.4 mm, 9.0±0.2 mm at concentration 50%, 40%, 30%, 20% and 10% of honeyrespectively. The MIC value against E.coliwas 10% (w/v) and MBC was 30% (w/v). In time-kill curve Trigona honey was inhibited E.coli in a 4 log10 at 18 hours, and total viable counts (TVCs) were killed after 24 hours. It was found that even ≥30% Trigona honey dilution interfered significantly with E. coli cell culture growth. Moreover it was found that a difference of more than 10% honey concentration between the treatments was considered significant to produce inhibitory effects. This study has shown that Trigona honey has significant inhibitory effects on E. coli growth in vitro. Trigona honey may be used as an alternative to antibiotics in controlling infections caused by E. coli. However further investigation is required to strengthen this argument. Keywords: Trigona honey, Escherichia coli,Inhibitory effects,Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration, Time Kill Curve

Antimicrobial activity and time kill kinetics of Nigerian Honeys on multi-resistant Enteric Bacilli

Antimicrobial activities of some Nigeria honeys were tested on multi-antibiotic resistant enteric bacilli strains (MAREBS) that are becoming dreadful among the populace. Enteric bacilli isolated from fecal samples randomly collected from community populace were biotyped and profiled for antibiotic susceptibility by micro-broth dilution assay. Honey physico-chemical and phyto-chemical metabolites were analysed and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility to MAREBS while its time kill kinetics was evaluated. Significant rate of 31.3% Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, (19.5%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15.3%) were found with only 62.6% showed significant resistance to cefotaxime (30μg) and 61.6% to ampicillin (10μg). more than 40% showed significant resistance to Cotrimoxazole, ciprofloxacin and tetracycline with MIC ≥16 μg/ml (p<0.05). Physico-chemical parameters vary significantly with high phenol and alkaloids contents. Few honey samples showed antimicrobial activity of more than 37% inhibition rate while 8.1% MAREBS were further inhibited at lower MIC 31.25mg/mL, 10.8% at MIC 125mg/mL and 8.1% MIC 250mg/mL, while cidal rate of 8.1% was recorded. Significant reduction in average count of different MAREBS was recorded at honey dilutions of 1:2 and 1:4 to less than 2.10Log10CFU/mL. Amidst global burden of enteric infection with persistence antibiotic resistance, Nigerian honeys showed a reliable bacteriostatic and cidal activity as prospective novel alternative therapy for MAREBS infections.

Repositing honey incorporated electrospun nanofiber membranes to provide anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory microenvironment for wound regeneration.

Topical application of honey for tissue regeneration, has recently regained attention in clinical practice with controlled studies affirming its efficacy and indicating its role in regeneration over repair. Parallely, to overcome difficulties of applying raw honey, several product development studies like nanofibrous matrices have been reported. However, one approach concentrated on achieving highest possible honey loading in the nanofiber membranes while other studies have found that only specific honey dilutions result in differential cellular responses on wound healing and re-epithelization. From these results, it can be suggested that high honey loading provides optimum external microenvironment, low-loaded membranes could provide a more conducive internal microenvironment for tissue regeneration. With this hypothesis, this paper sought to evaluate ability of low-honey loaded nanofibers to modulate the anti-oxidant, anti-biofilm and anti-inflammatory properties which are important to be maintained in wound micro-environment. A loading-dependent reduction of biofilm formation and anti-oxidant activity was noted in different concentration ranges investigated. After scratch assay, a certain honey loading (0.5%) afforded the maximum re-epithelization. Since there is lack of methods to determine anti-inflammatory properties of nanofiber membranes during epithelial healing process, we performed anti-inflammatory assessment of nano-fibers by evaluating the expressions of pro-inflammatory markers-Cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and to confirm the optimized concentration. Considering the role of COX-2 and IL-6, the novel methodology used in this study can also be developed as an assay for anti-inflammatory matrices for wound healing.

Screening bioactivity and bioactive constituents of Nordic unifloral honeys

The objective of this study was to screen the antibacterial and antioxidant activity of thirty nine honey samples from Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Their physicochemical properties were analysed, antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH assay and antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus was assessed by microdilution assay. The honey samples obtained were buckwheat, caraway, clover, dandelion, fireweed, heather, lime tree, lingonberry, rape, raspberry, sweet clover, willow, mire, honeydew and polyfloral. Eleven honey samples showed high antioxidant activity. With 15% honey dilution, three unifloral honeys had over 85% inhibition against growth of P. aeruginosa and ten honey samples against S. aureus. The buckwheat, raspberry and honeydew honeys showed the highest antibacterial and antioxidant activity. An unexpectedly high amount of methylglyoxal was found in mire and forest honeys. Some phenolic compounds are shown to be plant species-specific floral markers due to their appearance in specific unifloral honey samples.

Honey dilution impact on in vitro wound healing: Normoxic and hypoxic condition.

Honey is known as a popular healing agent against tropical infections and wounds. However, the effects of honey dilutions on keratinocyte (HaCaT) wound healing under hypoxic condition is still not explored. In this study, we examined whether honey dilution have wound healing potential under hypoxic stress. The antioxidant potential and healing efficacy of honey dilution on in vitro wound of human epidermal keratinocyte (HaCaT cells) under hypoxia (3% O2 ), and normoxia is explored by nitro blue tetrazolium assay. The cell survival % quantified by MTT assay to select four honey dilutions like 10, 1, 0.1, and 0.01 v/v% and the changes in cellular function was observed microscopically. Further, the cell proliferation, migration, cell-cell adhesion, and relevant gene expression were studied by flow cytometry, migration/scratch assay, immunocytochemistry, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. The expression pattern of cardinal molecular features viz. E-cadherin, cytoskeletal protein F-actin, p63, and hypoxia marker Hif 1α were examined. Honey dilution in 0.1% v/v combat wound healing limitations in vitro under normoxia and hypoxia (3%). Its wound healing potential was quantified by immunocytochemistry and real-time PCR for the associated molecular features that were responsible for cell proliferation and migration. Our data showed that honey dilution can be effective in hypoxic wound healing. Additionally, it reduced superoxide generation and supplied favorable bioambience for cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation during hypoxic wound healing. These findings may reveal the importance of honey as an alternative and cost effective therapeutic natural product for wound healing in hypoxic condition.

Modulating prime molecular expressions and in vitro wound healing rate in keratinocyte (HaCaT) population under characteristic honey dilutions

Ethnopharmacology relevanceIn traditional medicines honey is known for healing efficacy and vividly used as “Anupan” in Ayurvedic medicines appreciating roles in dilutions. Validating efficacy of physico-chemically characterized honey in dilutions, studies on in vitro wound healing and attainment of cellular confluence epithelial cells including expressions of cardinal genes is crucial. To evaluate effects of characterized honey in varied dilutions on cellular viability, in vitro wound healing and modulation of prime epithelial gene expressions. Materials and methodsSix Indian honey-samples from different sources were physico-chemically characterized and optimal one was explored in dilutions (v/v%) through in vitro studies on human epithelial (HaCaT) cells for viability, wound healing and expressions of genes p63, E-cadherin, β-catenin, GnT-III and GnT-V. ResultsStudied honey samples (i.e. A–F) depicted range of pH (2–4), water (12.48–23.95), electrical conductivity (2.57–14.34), carbohydrate (68.73–98.65), protein (.316–5.36) and antioxidant potential. Though sample A and F showed physico-chemical proximity, but overall bio-impact of the earlier was better, thus studied in 8–.1% (v/v) dilution range. Four dilutions (.01, .04, .1, .25 v/v%) augmented cellular viability but in vitro wound healing was fastest (p<.05) under .1%. Such efficacy was further documented for p63 up-regulation by immunocytochemistry and mRNA studies. The E-cadherin and β-catenin mRNA-expressions were also up-regulated and their proteins were predominantly cytoplasmic. E-cadherin up-regulation was corroborative with down-regulation and up-regulation of GnT-III and GnT-V respectively. ConclusionPresent study illustrated efficacy of particular honey dilution (.1%) with characteristic free radical scavenging activity in facilitating cell proliferation and attainment of confluence towards faster wound healing and modulation of cardinal epithelial genes (viz. p63, E-cadherin, β-catenin, Gnt-III and V).

Antipseudomonal property of honey and aminoglycosides

Pseudomonas aeruginosa has an ability to rapidly develop resistance to most antimicrobial compounds, and to check this ability. The isolates were collected from different pathological human sources and tested for their sensitivity to aminoglycoside antibiotic and to honey, a natural product that is generating renewed interest for its therapeutic application using Kirby Bauer disc diffusion technique. Aminoglycoside antibiotic which is normally active against gram-negative bacteria was used alongside honey. The 29 isolates of P. aeruginosa showed 100%sensitivity to honey tested in their undiluted form. This was not the case with gentamicin (10?g) and amikacin (30 ?g), both of which varied in their antipseudomonal activity, like even 1:2 aqueous dilution of honey appreciably inhibited pseudomonal isolates than either of the two aminoglycoside antibiotic. Honey is therefore suggested as an effective natural product in overcoming the widespread antibiotic resistance of P. aeruginosa.