Antibacterial Activity of Different Honeys

The following are some of the results observed in laboratory studies, in vitro results, when comparing the antibacterial activity of honeys against particular bacteria. (Source: Manuka Honey as a Medicine by PC Molan, 2001. Honey Research Unit Website).


Other Honey is honey which has antibacterial activity due to hydrogen peroxide.
Manuka honey is that which has activity due to high levels of the UMF (it is not manuka honey which does not have UMF).


Note. In some studies catalase was added to the manuka honey to break down any hydrogen peroxide.
In the cases where catalase was added (such as test result #1 wound-infecting bacteria; and #11 mastitis-causing bacteria) the results for the manuka honey would been approximately halved if the hydrogen peroxide was present because of the synergistic action of the two properties.


The results are summarised as follows, expressed as the minimum concentration of honey (% v/v) that will completely stop the growth of each species of micro-organism:

*1. Seven common wound-infecting species of bacteria (Willix et al 1992): Manuka Honey: 1.8 to 10.8%; Other honey: 2.6 to 7.1%

*2. 20 isolates of Pseudomonas from infected wounds (Cooper and Molan, 1999): Manuka Honey: 5.5 to 8.7%; Other honey: 5.8 to 9.0%


*3. 58 clinical isolates of Staphylococcus Aureus (Cooper et al 1999): Manuka Honey: 2 to 3%; Other honey: 3 to 7%

*4. 82 epidemic strains of MRSA (Allen et al 2000): Manuka honey: 4 to 7%; Other honey: 3 to 7%


*5. 56 strains of VRE (Allen et al 2000): Manuka honey: 5 to 10%; Other honey: 8 to 20%


*6. 16 isolates of haemolytic streptococci(Cooper RA, Halas E and Molan PC: paper in preparation): Manuka honey: 4.5 to 9.7%; Other honey: 8 to 20%


*7. 20 strains of Burkholderia cepacia isolated from the sputum of cystic fibrosis patients (Cooper et al 2000) Manuka honey 2.1 to 5%; Other honey: 2.8 to 5.3%


*8. Seven species of dermatophytes commonly causing tineas (Brady et al 1997): Manuka honey: 10 to 50%; Other honey: 5 to 20%


*9. 7 isolates of helicobacter pylori from biopsies of gastric ulcers (Al Somai et al 1994): Manuka honey: 5%; Other honey: >40%


*10. Twelve species of bacteria commonly causing gastroenteritis (Brady NF and Molan PC: paper in preparation): Manuka honey: 2 to 11%; Other honey: 3 to 8%


*11. Seven species of bacteria commonly causing mastitis in dairy cattle (Allen and Molan 1997): Manuka honey: 5 to 10%; Other honey: 5 to 10%


Conclusions:
1. The activity of honey is sufficient to expect a good therapeutic antibacterial action if honey was used clinically.

2. Manuka honey with high levels of UMF could be expected to be more effective than other honey when used therapeutically because:
A. The UMF property is stable.
B. The hydrogen peroxide of honey is broken down by the catalase effect of body serum and fluids. So, in vivo, the activity of honey due to hydrogen peroxide would be less than is seen in laboratory testing.
C. The UMF property will diffuse more deeply into body tissue than does the hydrogen peroxide property.
D. The presence of both hydrogen peroxide and UMF together gives a synergistic effect making the honey even more effective.



Select Honey for Therapeutic Uses Carefully
The results tabulated above are for manuka honey with high levels of UMF. Not all manuka honey has UMF.
That which has good levels of UMF is identified by the name UMF and its level clearly displayed on the front label.
The name UMF indicates the honey has a high antibacterial component and indicates the antibacterial strength of the honey.
The higher the UMF rating the greater the antibacterial strength of the honey.
Higher levels of UMF ensure best results.