Antibacterial Activity of Polyfloral and Honeydew Organic Honey

Organic honey is produced by non-genetically modified bees, does not contain colorants, sweeteners, odorants, heavy metals, pesticides or other organic pollutants. The aim of the investigation was to study the antibacterial properties of polyflower and honeydew organic honey. Four organic honey samples originated from different regions in Bulgaria: two samples of Sofia vicinity (Lozen and Negushevo), one from the fields near the town of Kubrat, North-Eastern Bulgaria, and the fourth one from Belogradchik, North-Western Bulgaria. The honey samples did not contain any food additives and were free of pollutants. Antibacterial activity was examined on nutrient agar with paper discs swollen with concentrated honey. The test microorganisms were Gram-negative Escherichia coli NBMCC No8751 and Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis NBMCC No8752. Our results demonstrated that both polyfloral and honeydew samples possess antibacterial activity towards the examined test bacteria. The strongest inhibition inhibitory effect was exerted by the Kubrat polyfloral honey sample (M3), followed by the polyfloral sample of Belogradchik (M4)and the honeydew honey sample of Negushevo (M2). Almost no antibacterial activity was shown by the polyfloral honey sample delivered from Lozen Mountain (M1). Out of all four, three organic honey samples exhibited antibacterial properties. The polyfloral honey samples were more effective than the honeydew sample.