ISSN: 0970-938X (Print) | 0976-1683 (Electronic)

Biomedical Research

An International Journal of Medical Sciences

Abstract

A study to assess the chemical composition and antibacterial properties of honey

The present study was to assess the chemical composition and antibacterial properties of honey. From ancient times, honey was increasingly used as a remedy for wound healing. Globally, several studies have been conducted and proved that there are a numerous ways that honey can heal the wound. To accept that honey has medical property in wound healing there is limited evidence. Hence the researcher was interested to determine the chemical composition and anti-bacterial properties of honey. It was assumed that honey has antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory properties as per the literature review. Also is acidic with high osmolality. Honey also has an antioxidant property that protects the cells from free radicals. Clinically topical application of honey possess antimicrobial properties, promote autolytic debridement, deodorize malodorous wounds, stimulate growth of wound tissues to fasten healing, stimulate anti-inflammatory activity and promote moist wound healing. Thus the use of honey can be effective and economical approach to managing large wounds. An experimental approach is carried out to fulfil the objective in a controlled setting. Whole honey has been sent to the laboratory for compound isolation through column chromatography. Three compounds have been isolated namely compounds (1-3). The isolated compound along with whole honey and standard antibiotics were send to the clinical laboratory for antibacterial study with selected pathogens. The results showed compound-2 had a good antibacterial effect against pathogens like E. coli, Klebsiella, Staphylococcus albus, Staphylococcus aureus while comparing with compound 1 and compound 2. Against Pseudomonas the compound has no effective antibacterial effect. Hence it is concluded that honey can be a potential treatment for diabetic foot ulcer caused by pathogens.

Author(s): Jerlin Priya Lovelin Auguskani
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