Abstract
Aim: As sugar is the major component of honey, it may support bacterial growth in addition to the antibacterial property reported. The study was conducted to see the effect of different types of mono-floral honey on the isolates of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis.
Materials and Methods: The in-vitro experimental study included nine different types of honey and five bacterial isolates. The floral origin of honey types was confirmed by microscopic observation of pollens, and bacterial isolates were identified using standard biochemical tests. Each honey type was diluted in 2-fold volume by volume in sterile distilled water to make concentrations 50%, 25%, 12.5%, and 6.25%, and their effect on the bacterial growth was studied using an agar well diffusion assay.
Results: All honey types had an inhibitory effect on E. coli. At 50% and 25% concentrations Sidr, Majrah Baldee, and Talha showed an inhibitory effect on K. pneumoniae, whereas Sidr Peshawri, Majrah Baldi, and Talha showed the inhibitory effect on P. mirabilis. The rest of concentrations of all honey types studied had growth-enhancing effect on the isolates of K. pneumoniae and P. mirabilis.
Discussion: Growth-enhancing effect of all honey types on Klebsiella and Proteus isolates is an important feature of this study. The results of the inhibitory effect pattern indicate a combined antimicrobial potential of honey ingredients. The varied effects on growth are clue to the prebiotic nature of honey.