Antibacterial activity of DerMel honey
Several clinical studies have concluded that the antibacterial activity is considered the most important role honey has in the wound healing process. The antibacterial activity of DerMel honey was assessed by:
- Measurement of the enzyme activity of glucose oxidase (GOX).
- The antibacterial activity against the wound pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aerigunosa.
- The antibacterial activity against antibiotic resistant (MRSA) and antibiotic sensitive (MSSA) Staphylococcus aureus.
Enzyme activity
Figure 1 shows that the enzyme activity of DerMel honey comes to a maximum after 3 hours. Next the production of hydrogen peroxide gradually decreases, but remains at a relatively high level for 48 hours (>10 µg per gram honey).
Antibacterial activity
A Challenge Test was carried out with DerMel honey in order to determine the bactericidal effect of DerMel honey against the two wound pathogenic bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aerigunosa (Figure 2a). This Challenge Test as carried out according to the guidelines of the European Pharmacopoeia, comprises that 1-10 million bacteria are added per gram honey. Samples taken at different time intervals are then analyzed to determine the number of surviving bacteria.
Figure 2a shows that DerMel honey affects a rapid decline of the number of viable bacteria. After 48 hours only 10 bacteria per gram honey have survived (log reduction 5), after 6 days no viable bacteria have survived. Figure 2b shows that DerMel honey is equally effective against MRSA and MSSA Staphylococcus aureus, as a reduction of 100 bacteria per gram honey is achieved for both bacterial strains within 24 hours.