Comparative Study on Physicochemical and Microbiological Characteristics of Apis mellipodae and Melipona Species Honey and Their Antibacterial Activity against Bacterial Pathogens

Abstract

Abstract:

Studies on antibacterial activity, microbiological and physicochemical characteristics of honey are essential in finding of alternative medicine to prevent infectious diseases. The objective of this study was to investigate the antibacterial activity, microbiological and physicochemical properties of Tazma honey in comparison with honey. Antimicrobial activity and minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentration of samples were determined. Microbiological and physicochemical characteristics of honey were carried out using standard methods. Antimicrobial activity of Tazma honey against pathogenic bacteria was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) greater than artificial and honeybee honey. Minimum inhibitory concentration value at 6.25% for all tested microorganisms was found to be 100, 66.6 and 11.11% for Tazma honey, honey and artificial honey, respectively. MIC of Tazma honey against test pathogens was 6.25%, while for honey and artificial honey ranged from 6.25 to 12.5% and 12.5 to 25%, respectively. Tazma MBC against all pathogenic bacteria was 100% at 12.5% concentration, while honey was 100% at 25% concentration of solution. The moisture content of Tazma honey was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) greater (23.4 ± 0.4%) than honey (18.5 ± 0.3%). The pH of tazma honey (3.67 ± 0.3) was similar with that of honey (3.8 ± 0.02). Low colony count of mesophilic bacteria was recorded in Tazma honey (2.6 × 103 cfu/g) sample than honey (8.2 × 103 cfu/g). High antimicrobial activity of Tazma honey might be due to chemical composition, production process and type of spices. This could be the reason why the society widely and preferentially uses Tazma honey for treatment of infections than honey.

Keywords: Antibacterial activity, Apis mellipodae, honeybee honey, physicochemical characteristics, Tazma honey

Cite this Article:
Andualem Berhanu, Aemero Mulugeta. Comparative study on physicochemical and microbiological charecteristics of apis mellipodae and melipona species honey and their antibacterial activity against bacterial pathogens. Research and Reviews: Journal of Microbiology and Virology. 2015; 5(1): 14–23p.