AUTHOR=Morroni Gianluca , Alvarez-Suarez José M. , Brenciani Andrea , Simoni Serena , Fioriti Simona , Pugnaloni Armanda , Giampieri Francesca , Mazzoni Luca , Gasparrini Massimiliano , Marini Emanuela , Mingoia Marina , Battino Maurizio , Giovanetti Eleonora 

TITLE=Comparison of the Antimicrobial Activities of Four Honeys From Three Countries (New Zealand, Cuba, and Kenya)

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2018

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2018.01378

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2018.01378

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p>Skin and chronic wound infections are an increasing and urgent health problem worldwide. Their management is difficult and the development of antibiotic resistance by both planktonic and biofilm-associated bacteria necessitates the use of alternative treatments. The purpose of this study was to compare the antimicrobial activity of four honeys from different floral and geographical origins: <italic>Melipona beecheii</italic> honey (Cuba) and three <italic>Apis mellifera</italic> honeys [Manuka honey (New Zealand), <italic>A. mellifera</italic> honey (Cuba), and African honey (Kenya)]. The physicochemical parameters were within the ranges reported for these honeys and <italic>M. beecheii</italic> honey stood out due to its acidic character. An agar incorporation technique was used to determine the minimum active dilution of each honey against 52 clinical isolates (34 Gram-positive, 17 Gram-negative, and 1 <italic>Candida albicans</italic>). The antibiofilm activity of honeys was tested by assessing their ability to inhibit biofilm formation and to disrupt preformed biofilms. Overall, <italic>M. beecheii</italic> honey had the highest antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity, although a marked disruption in preformed biofilms was shared by all tested honeys. Structural changes induced by <italic>M. beecheii</italic> honey on <italic>Staphylococcus aureus</italic> and <italic>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</italic> cells were observed by transmission electron microscopy suggesting that this honey has a potent antimicrobial action and may be an excellent candidate for the development of topical preparations for the treatment of infected wounds.</p>