Honey Solution Research Articles

Response of some rice cultivars (Oryza sativa L.) to spraying with a natural honey solution and effect on growth and yield characteristics

The field experiment for the current study was carried out at the rice research station in Najaf governorate, affiliated with the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture. To know the response of three cultivars of rice to spraying with the natural honey solution at different. The factorial experiment was carried out using a randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed the significant effect of the various study factors with their interactions on the characteristics of the present study, as the honey solution spray treatment at 6 g. l-1 was superior to cultivar Ambar 33 in plant height and number of panicle branches (same as cultivar Mashkhab 1 with the same concentration). The number of grains in panicle, panicle length, 1000 grain weight and fertility percentage (same as cultivar Jasmine with the same concentration) achieved 67.7%, 88.3%, 104.5%, 52.7%, 21.3% and 148% increase for the traits, respectively compared to control treatment. As for the result, the spray treatment of cultivar Jasmine with a concentration of 6 g.l-1 with the natural honey solution was superior in giving the highest grain yield with an increase of 45.6%. Keywords: rice cultivars, spraying, honey, growth, yield.

How we can improve ARGET ATRP in an aqueous system: Honey as an unusual solution for polymerization of (meth)acrylates

Aqueous solutions of various types of honey as a source of reducing sugars – glucose and fructose, were used to accelerate or control activators regeneration by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization (ARGET ATRP) in a homogeneous or heterogeneous environment. The aqueous or alcoholic-aqueous solution was applied for the polymerization of hydrophilic methacrylates i.e. 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA), glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), while the polymerization of a hydrophobic monomer – n-butyl acrylate (nBA) was conducted in miniemulsion under ion-pair and interfacial catalysis. The polymerization of DMAEMA in a honey solution accelerated the polymerization rate up to 30-fold with a significant improvement in the control over the structure of the product, namely, the polymers were characterized by narrow molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn = 1.33), and initiation efficiency up to 98 %. Controlled polymerization of nBA was conducted in a honey-contained miniemulsion. Honey-based miniemulsion was successfully checked for the synthesis of both linear and branched polymers. The use of chemical reducing agents found in commercially available food products for polymerization is an economic concept that eliminates the need for high purity laboratory reagents, moreover, food products are widely available and therefore much cheaper. The proposed concept has great potential for industrial applications.

<i>Leucoagaricus gongylophorus</i> provides protection for </i>Atta sexdens</i> against plant extracts

Plant extracts have been considered for the control the leaf-cutting ants. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the survival leaf-cutting worker ants after topical application of Ageratum conyzoides (mentrasto) and Manihot esculenta (cassava) extracts; and to evaluate the effect of Manihot esculenta hexane extract via ingestion on the survival of the workers of Atta sexdens Forel 1908 isolated or not from their colonies, in order to verify whether the symbiotic fungus Leucoagaricus gongylophorus confers protection to the workers against the extract. First, ten medium workers were removed from their colonies and received the application of 1 μL of extract on the pronotum. The cassava extract (125 µg.mL-1) was diluted in a solution of honey with water for the ingestion bioassay. Five repetitions (ten ants inside a transparent plastic container) were performed in each of the four colonies used in the experiment. The numbers of dead ants were recorded daily until the control also died. The solution of the hexane Manihot esculenta extract gave a significant result at the concentration of 100 µg.mL-1, with 100% of mortatily after 4 days. The ants maintained with the symbiont fungus that ingested the cassava hexanic extract showed a lower mortality rate (40% at the end of 25 days) than the workers who were kept isolated (90%). The symbiosis between the ants and the fungus means more than a food source for leaf-cutting ants because it reduces the toxic effect on the ants when the ants remain in contact with the fungus and is offered an unsafe vegetable.

Development and validation of the method for determination of amitraz in honey using high-performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometric detection

Method for determination of the insecticide amitraz residual content in honey has been developed and validated. The method is selective, express and easy-to-perform. The technique is based on the extraction of amitraz from alkalized aqueous solutions of honey with n-hexane and quantitative determination by high-performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometric detection. Validation was performed using three types of honey at three levels of amitraz application 6, 120 and 220 µg/kg. The limit of quantification was 0.9 µg/kg, the calibration curves were linear in the concentration range from 2.5 to 125.0 ng/mL (the corresponding analyte content in honey is from 5.0 to 250.0 µg/kg), relative values of the standard deviations of repeatability and within-laboratory reproducibility did not exceed 3.4 and 5.9 %, respectively, the bias values varied from –8.2 to 5.6 %, the expanded uncertainty estimates of the results ranged from 12 to 16 % (P = 0.95). Instrumental limit of quantification, overall efficiency of the process and robustness were also evaluated during the validation process.

Straightforward purification method for the determination of the activity of glucose oxidase and catalase in honey by extracting polyphenols with a film-shaped polymer

Glucose oxidase (GOX) and catalase (CAT) regulate the amount of H2O2 in honey, by generating or consuming it, so they are related to the antibacterial and antioxidant activity of honey. However, their activities are hardly analysed, since the process requires a previous dialysis that is non-selective, very time-consuming (>24 h), eco-unfriendly (>6L of buffer) and expensive. This research shows the design and performance of a material that selectively removes the actual interferents. The film-shaped-polymer is immersed for 90́ within a honey solution (12.5 mL of buffer), where it interacts exclusively with 1,2-dihydroxybenzenes, which we proved to be the real interferents (the material contains motifs derived from phenylboronic acid to interact with 1,2-diols). Polymeric chains favour condensation to occur exclusively with 1,2-dihydroxybenzenes, excluding monosaccharides. The interferents’ removal using our designed polymer is selective, low cost (1.42€ per test), rapid and eco-friendly (saves 6L of buffer and 20.5 h of experimental workout per sample).

Dipicolinic Acid-Tb3+/Eu3+ Lanthanide Fluorescence Sensor Array for Rapid and Visual Discrimination of Botanical Origin of Honey.

In the present study, a lanthanide fluorescence sensor array was developed for the discrimination of honey's botanical origin. Dipicolinic acid (DPA) was used as the antenna ligand for sensitizing the fluorescence of Tb3+ and Eu3+ to prepare the DPA-Tb3+/Eu3+ complex. This lanthanide fluorescence sensor showed a cross-reactive response to the major constituents of honey, which led to the result that different classes of honey solution exhibited distinct quenching effects on the fluorescence of the DPA-Tb3+/Eu3+ complex. Furthermore, a fluorescence sensor array composed of ten sensors was constructed by adjusting the pH and the component of the DPA-Tb3+/Eu3+ complex to show multivariate responses towards honey. The visual fluorescence image of the sensor array was recorded by using a smartphone under excitation with portable UV lamp. Results indicated that the pattern of the visual image was related with the botanical origin. After extracting the RGB value of each sensor in 96-well plate, the ratio of R/G was used for principal component analysis (PCA). The results showed that three classes of honey (astragalus, logan, and litchi) were well distinguished. Moreover, the value of principal component 1 (PC1) showed good linearity with the composition of mixing honey and could be used for semi-quantitative analysis. The proposed lanthanide fluorescence sensor array presents a visual and portable method for the discrimination of a honey's origin without the use of analytical instruments, and might provide a novel and simple strategy for the measurement of food origin.

Wolbachia-Driven Memory Loss in a Parasitic Wasp Increases Superparasitism to Enhance Horizontal Transmission.

Horizontal transmission of the endosymbiont, Wolbachia, may occur during superparasitism when parasitoid females deposit a second clutch of eggs on a host. Wolbachia may increase the superparasitism tendency of Trichogramma wasps by depriving their memory. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the effects of conditioning experience and memory inhibitors (actinomycin D [ACD] and anisomycin [ANI]) on memory capacity, and expressions of memory-related genes (CREB1 and PKA), and superparasitism frequency of Wolbachia-infected (TDW) and uninfected (TD) lines of Trichogramma dendrolimi after conditioning with lemon or peppermint odor. We detected the presence of Wolbachia in eggs, larvae, pre-pupae, pupae, and adults of Trichogramma by using fluorescence in situ hybridization. The results showed that TDW females had a more reduced memory capacity than TD females after conditioning. Compared with TD females, TDW females showed a higher proportion of superparasitism and a downregulation of CREB1 and PKA genes after conditioning. TD females fed ACD or ANI showed a higher tendency for superparasitism and a downregulation of CREB1 and PKA, along with memory loss after conditioning than TD females fed honey solution only. The presence of Wolbachia was detected in the anterior region of the larva, pre-pupa, and pupa, but was not found in the head of the adult. The results provide evidence of host behavioral manipulation of Wolbachia by depriving memory of host Trichogramma wasps based on Poulin' s criteria. These host behavioral changes led by Wolbachia may be caused by the virulence of Wolbachia on the nervous system of the host. IMPORTANCE The endosymbiotic bacteria, Wolbachia, live widely within cells of arthropods. Wolbachia are not only transmitted vertically from host mother to offspring, but are also transmitted horizontally among host individuals. Horizontal transmission is expected to occur during superparasitism when host parasitoid females deposit a clutch of eggs on a host previously parasitized by the same parasitoid species. Thus, a question is proposed regarding whether superparasitism behavior is a behavior modification induced by the symbiont to favor symbiont transmission. This study highlights behavioral mechanisms of Wolbachia-induced superparasitism in Trichogramma wasps and the manipulation of symbionts on host parasitoids.

Secretion of IL-6 by fibroblasts exposed to Australian honeys involves lipopolysaccharide and is independent of floral source

Honey stimulates cellular secretion of cytokines, which has been attributed to activation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-dependent and LPS-independent pathways. The objective of this study was to identify whether LPS is present in Australian honey samples at levels that can stimulate interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion by fibroblasts and whether it can transduce cell signalling by activating toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). IL-6 was measured in culture media of fibroblasts exposed to honey for 24 h. LPS was detected in a 0.125 mg/mL solution of grey ironbark honey (0.61 ± 0.05 ng/g honey). TLR4 signalling was observed in RAW264.7 macrophages that were exposed to honey and this was prevented by preincubating the honey with the LPS-neutralising agent, polymyxin B. Australian Eucalyptus, Leptospermum and Cyathode honeys stimulated IL-6 secretion in cultured human dermal fibroblasts. To examine whether the response was dependent on floral source, fibroblasts were exposed to four different samples of grey ironbark honey obtained from Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. The magnitude of the cytokine response to these honeys was highly varied. We conclude that Australian honeys contain endotoxin at levels that can stimulate IL-6 secretion by fibroblasts and that signalling in macrophages involves TLR4 activation. The IL-6 secretory response was independent of floral source.

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.

Hazim Alhiti's Method for Local Burn Treatment

In July 2017, an Iraqi teenager girl suffered an acute burn on her right foot. She was in distress, in severe pain, with all stages of the burn. After the girl/her family's consent, I gave analgesia; utilized a mixed solution of olive oil and honey; dressed the burn; washed the oil mixture after one hour; encouraged the girl to walk with analgesi; ordered nutritional support; advised her to lift her burnt foot during rest. Two weeks later, this girl had an itching, so I applied cactus oil twice daily. After four weeks, the girl walked better, and the burn healed.

Vacuum impregnation of fresh-cut apples with osmotic solutions containing honey

Fresh-cut apples were subjected to mild vacuum impregnation (Vacuum pressure=67.7 mbar). M0: 30 °Brix honey solution (HS); M0.5: HS+0.5% citric acid (CA)+0.5% ascorbic acid (AA); and M1: HS+1% CA+1% AA were used as osmotic solutions. Changes in soluble solids (SS), pH, firmness, color (∆E*ab), total phenolic and vitamin C content, and antioxidant capacity were evaluated on days 0 and 7 of storage at 1.5 °C. Mass transfer parameters were calculated. The best results were obtained with the M1 treatment. Vacuum-impregnated fresh-cut apples gained solids (3.3%) and weight (1.6%) and lost water (1.8%). The following modifications were observed on day 0: an increase of SS (26%), a reduction in firmness (14%), a slight color change (∆E*ab=3.3), a great increase in vitamin C content (31 times higher than in fresh-cut fruits) and increases in total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity (27% and 77%, respectively). On day 7 of storage, an additional reduction of firmness was observed, but the other attributes were maintained or increased. The M1 treatment is an appropriate alternative for processing fresh-cut apples and obtaining improved healthy attributes.

The effect of forest honey solution on the plaque and gingivitis index in adolescent

Introduction: Plaque is the main factor that causes dental and oral health problems, one of which is gingivitis. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gingival tissue and is often found in children, adolescents, and adults. The peak of the highest prevalence of gingivitis occurs in adolescence (90%). Maintaining dental and oral hygiene can be done mechanically by brushing your teeth, but mechanical action will be more effective if combined with chemical action, namely gargling. Forest honey solution is a natural liquid produced by honey bees and is beneficial for dental and oral problems. So, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of gargling a solution of forest honey on plaque index and gingivitis in the oral cavity of adolescents. The research uses a literature studymethod by reviewing nationally published journals. The results showed that forest honey has four factors such as organic compounds, osmotic pressure, hydrogen peroxide, and pH. Forest honey are antibacterial and antioxi-dant so that it helps reduce pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity. It is concluded that gargling a solution of forest honey is effect-tive in reducing plaque and gingivitis index scores in the oral cavity of adolescents.

Uranium Determination in Waters, Wine and Honey by Solid Phase Extraction with New Ion Imprinted Polymer.

An analytical method for uranium determination in waters, wine and honey was developed based on solid phase extraction (SPE) with new ion imprinted polymer. The sorbent was synthesized using 4-(2-Pyridylazo)resorcinol (PAR) as a ligand via dispersion polymerization and characterized by SEM for morphology and shape of polymer particles and nitrogen adsorption–desorption studies for their surface area and total pore volume. The kinetic experiments performed showed that the rate limiting step is the complexation between U(VI) ions and chelating ligand PAR incorporated in the polymer matrix. Investigations by Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherm models showed that sorption process occurs as a surface monolayer on homogeneous sites. The high extraction efficiency of synthesized sorbent toward U(VI) allows its application for SPE determination of U(VI) in wine and honey without preliminary sample digestion using ICP-OES as measurement method. The recoveries achieved varied: (i) between 88 to 95% for surface and ground waters, (ii) between 90–96% for 5% aqueous solution of honey, (iii) between 86–93% for different types of wine. The validity and versatility of proposed analytical methods were confirmed by parallel measurement of U in water samples using Alpha spectrometry and U analysis in wine and honey after sample digestion and ICP-MS measurement. The analytical procedure proposed for U determination in surface waters is characterized with low limits of detection/quantification and good reproducibility ensuring its application for routine control in national monitoring of surface waters. The application of proposed method for honey and wine samples analysis provides data for U content in traditional Bulgarian products.

Controlling the Particle Size and Absorption Spectra of Honey Mediated Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles for Antibacterial Application

Silver nanoparticles were synthesized using locally purchased honey and silver nitrate solution. This method provides a simplistic and straightforward approach to the formation of silver nanoparticles. The silver nanoparticles with varying amounts of silver nitrate solution were characterized using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. In addition, dynamic light scattering characterization was used to determine the average size and size distribution of silver nanoparticles. Experimental results revealed that varying the amount of silver nitrate solution can control the size and absorption spectra of silver nanoparticles. A large amount of silver nitrate solution will exhibit a peak in the higher wavelength. The shifting of the absorption peaks at 401, 406, 407, 408, and 409 nm are believed to be related to the wavelength of the surface plasmon resonance. Moreover, a larger amount of silver nitrate solution also results in an increasing size with 27.2, 57.9, and 63.4 nm as revealed in the size distribution via dynamic light scattering. This green synthesis method of silver nanoparticles will provide a cost-effective production as an alternative to commercial antibacterial agents.

Effects of Adult Feeding Treatments on Longevity, Fecundity, Flight Ability, and Energy Metabolism Enzymes of Grapholita molesta Moths.

Simple SummaryThe effect of food supplements on performance of Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) moths produced in mass rearing programs is not well known. We investigated the effect of three feeding regimes of the adult moths (supplement with sterile water or 10% honey solution and starvation) on the longevity, 10-d fecundity, flight ability, and the activity of major energy metabolism enzymes in the flight muscles of G. molesta. The results showed that adult food supplement can make a difference to the rearing of G. molesta. Under starvation, the longevity, fecundity, and five flight-related parameters of G. molesta adults were significantly lower than those with access to sterile water and a honey solution. There was no significant difference in adult fecundity and the five flight-related parameters of G. molesta with access to sterile water or honey solution. We concluded that the supply of sterile water is a better food substitution when mass-rearing of G. molesta for some environment-friendly insect pest control tactics such as the sterile insect technique (SIT)The oriental fruit moth, Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is one of the most severe fruit tree pests in China, causing huge economic losses to fruit production. So far, there are few detailed reports on the rearing protocols of G. molesta. In this study, we compared the longevity, 10-d fecundity, flight ability, and the activity of major energy metabolism enzymes in the flight muscles of G. molesta under three feeding regimes (supplement with sterile water, supplement with 10% honey solution and starvation) of the adult moths. The results showed that the longevity, 10-d fecundity, and flight parameters (cumulative flight distance and time, maximum flight distance and duration, and the average flight speed) of adult moths when supplemented with sterile water or honey solution were significantly higher than those of moths that were starved. There were no significant differences in the 10-d fecundity, flight parameters, and the activity of major energy metabolism enzymes of flight muscles between moths that were supplemented with sterile water or 10% honey solution. The flight muscles of G. molesta mainly used carbohydrates as an energy source when sterile water and honey solution were supplemented, and the moth mainly used lipids as an energy source under starvation. Considering the cost and potential for diet contamination during mass-rearing, supplying sterile water is considered a cost effective option for food substitution of adult G. molesta.

Study of activation energy and moisture diffusivity of various dipping solutions of ivy gourd using solar dryer.

The study is aimed to enhance the shelf life of ivy gourd through the solar drying method in open, forced, and natural convection mode. Ivy gourd is treated as the primary agent to prepare medicines and the stems, leaves and flowers are used to cure diseases related to diabetics, ulcer and skin. The normal shelf life is 2-3days and it can be increased up to 6months with an effective drying process. The experiment is intended to find the best drying process among the open, natural, and forced convection mode with an initial dipping method with ascorbic acid, lemon juice, sugar solution, honey solutions individually, and a control sample (without dipping). A 3kg sample of ivy gourd is dipped in 10g/L of each of the solutions and it is used for the three drying processes individually. The obtained results are indicating that the forced convection method for ascorbic acid is best among the other drying method, with the highest moisture diffusivity is 7.88 × 10-8 m2/s and the lowest activation energy of 21.12kJ/mol. The lemon juice sample is found to have better sensory appeal in terms of colour (darkness) and shrinkage followed by honey, ascorbic acid, and control sample, whereas the honey-dipped sample offers a better taste followed by lemon juice-dipped samples, control, and ascorbic acid-dipped samples, respectively. The influence of dipping solution and drying mechanisms on the functionalities of drying are discussed with suitable illustrations.

Preparation and Characterisation of a Cyclodextrin-Complexed Mānuka Honey Microemulsion for Eyelid Application.

Honey has been widely purported as a natural remedy due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. In recent years, several studies have suggested that the considerably high methylglyoxal (MGO) concentration in Mānuka honey (MH) makes it particularly effective to manage bacterial overload, such as that observed in blepharitis. However, the poor solubility, high viscosity, and osmolarity of aqueous honey solutions, especially at the high MGO concentrations studied in the literature, render the formulation of an acceptable dosage form for topical application to the eyelids challenging. Here, the antibacterial properties of raw MH and alpha-cyclodextrin (α-CD)-complexed MH were evaluated at relatively low MGO concentrations, and a liquid crystalline-forming microemulsion containing α-CD-complexed MH was formulated. After determining pH and osmolarity, ocular tolerability was assessed using human primary corneal epithelial cells and chorioallantoic membranes, while the antibacterial efficacy was further evaluated in vitro. The α-CD–MH complex had significantly greater antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus than either constituent alone, which was evident even when formulated as a microemulsion. Moreover, the final formulation had a physiologically acceptable pH and osmolarity for eyelid application and was well-tolerated when diluted 1:10 with artificial tear fluid, as expected to be the case after accidental exposure to the ocular surface in the clinical setting. Thus, a safe and efficient MH dosage form was developed for topical application to the eyelids, which can potentially be used to support optimal eyelid health in the management of blepharitis.

Antioxidant and reducing activity of Tilia cordata honey produced by Apis mellifera compared to inflorescence Tilia cordata infusion and their mixtures

Herbal and apiculture preparations are examples of products with a very long history of medicine and human body care use. This study aimed to compare the antioxidant activity and reduction potential of Tilia cordata honey solution (TCH) and inflorescence Tilia cordata infusion (ITC) as well as their analysis in the ratio of ITC: TCH 1:1, 2:1, and 1:2 (v/v). All performed tests were done with the use of spectroscopic techniques. It was shown that ITC infusion has stronger antioxidant activity and higher reduction properties than TCH solution and the mixtures with a higher proportion of ITC infusion than TCH solution. The highest antioxidant activity and higher reduction properties had samples within the ratio of ITC: TCH 2:1. A synergistic effect in the area of both antioxidant and reduction potential has been confirmed.

In-situ sorbent formation for the extraction of pesticides from honey.

An organic polymer was re-precipitated in solution to use as an adsorbent in dispersive solid-phase extraction of some pesticides from honey samples prior to their determination by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. In this approach, different deep eutectic solvents were prepared using lysine and their ability in elution of the analytes from the adsorbent surface was tested. A diluted honey solution was transferred into a glass test tube and then a solution of polystyrene dissolved in dimethylformamide was injected into the solution. By doing this, polystyrene is re-precipitated in the solution and dispersed in whole parts of it as many tiny particles. Then the mixture was centrifuged and the adsorbed analytes on the particles were eluted using a proper hydrophilic deep eutectic solvent. The central composite design approach was used for the optimization of effective parameters. The limits of detection and quantification were in the ranges of 0.06-0.20 and 0.22-0.69ng/g, respectively. The calibration curves obtained by matrix-matched standard solutions were linear in the range of 0.69-500ng/g with a coefficient of determinations ≥0.9962. The method provided high extraction recoveries (70-99%) and enrichment factors (140-198), and an acceptable precision (relative standard deviations ≤7.1%).

Detection of Viable Zygosaccharomyces rouxii in Honey and Honey Products via PMAXX-qPCR

In order to establish a fast detection method for the living Zygosaccharomyces rouxii (Z. rouxii) cells in honey and honey products, the performance of propidium monoazide bromide (PMA) and enhanced propidium monoazide bromide (PMAXX) combined with real-time PCR for detecting living cells of Z. rouxii was compared. PMAXX was chosen as the added agent because of its better performance. The optimal concentration of PMAXX was found to be 76.92 μM in cell solution (the cell concentration was 1.0 × 108 CFU/mL). The LODs of PMAXX-qPCR in detecting Z. rouxii in pure MEA and honey solution were found to be 103 and 101 CFU/mL, respectively. Living Z. rouxii cells in 18 real honey samples were detected using this PMAXX-qPCR method and compared with the plate count method. The two methods showed consistent detection results in ten negative samples. In the other eight plate count zero but PMAXX-qPCR-positive samples, further verification experiments showed that six of the PMAXX-qPCR-positive samples contained viable but nonculturable (VBNC) Z. rouxii, while the other two PMAXX-qPCR-positive samples may have contained DNA contamination of Z. rouxii. This method is not only fast and sensitive but also can detect both culturable and viable but nonculturable Z. rouxii. This study provides a promising fast and culture-independent method for the detection of living Z. rouxii cells in honey and honey products.