Antibacterial properties of Apis dorsata honey against some bacterial pathogens

Saudi J Biol Sci. 2022 Feb;29(2):730-734. doi: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.09.059. Epub 2021 Sep 27.

Abstract

Now-a-days, different bioproducts are being used extensively for the welfare of mankind. However, for proper utility of any bioproduct, the exact biotechnological potential of that product should be explored. Honey is produced in almost every country on the planet. It has long been used as a medicinal agent in addition to its broader use as a popular food throughout the human history. It can be used to treat various diseases without causing any negative side effects. In the present study, the antibacterial potential of honey produced by A. dorsata was investigated at its variable concentrations (25, 50, 75 and 100 %) against four pathogenic bacterial species. The highest antimicrobial action was seen against E. coli at 100 % concentration of the honey while showing zone of inhibition of 37.5 ± 3.5 mm. However, the lowest antibacterial action was observed against E. faecalis. The overall order of growth inhibition by the honey at its 100 % concentration for the implicated bacterial species appeared as: E. coli ˃ P. aeruginosa ˃ S. aureus ˃ E. faecalis. The honey couldn't show antibacterial action at its 25 % concentration. Our findings of the present study will be helpful for utility of the honey as an alternative medicine for curing different complications caused by microbial pathogens.

Keywords: Alternative medicine; Bioproduct; Complementary medicine; Microbial inhibition; Microbial pathogens; Perfect diet.