ANTI-STAPHYLOCOCCAL ACTIVITY OF MELALEUCA HONEY

Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 2015 May;46(3):472-9.

Abstract

Honey is well-known for its antioxidant properties due to the presence of phytochemical compounds, which are also involved in antibacterial activities. In this study, properties (total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, free radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing-antioxidant power, reducing sugar content, and pH) of Malaysian Melaleuca honey were investigated for their antistaphylococcal activity, against both methicillin-sensitive (MSSA) and resistant (MRSA) Staphylococcus aureus strains using a hole-in-plate diffusion method. The outcome revealed there is a significant positive correlation between the antistaphylococcal activity and increase in honey concentration [20%-80% (v/v) in distilled water], which also correlated with each of the above mentioned parameter in honey, except for pH value that shows negative correlation. Furthermore, there was no difference in susceptibility to Melaleuca honey between MSSA and MRSA strains. Thus, in addition to being an antioxidant product, Melaleuca honey has a potential as a natural antistaphylococcal agent.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Carbohydrates / chemistry
  • Chlorides
  • Ferric Compounds
  • Flavonoids / chemistry
  • Free Radical Scavengers / chemistry
  • Free Radical Scavengers / pharmacology
  • Honey*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Melaleuca
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects*
  • Phenols / chemistry
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Carbohydrates
  • Chlorides
  • Ferric Compounds
  • Flavonoids
  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • Phenols
  • ferric chloride