Planta Med 2011; 77 - PN7
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1282990

Researches Regarding in vitro Antimicrobial Effect of Some Types of Honey from Transylvania on Staphylococci Isolated from Animals and Humans

F Nicodim 1, C Flore 1, N George 1, P Lucia 3, P Emoke 1, B Pompei 2, B Cosmina 2
  • 1Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Manastur street no 3–5, 400372, Romania
  • 2Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Manastur street no 3–5, 400372, Romania
  • 3Adults Hospital, Croitorilor Street, no. 19–21, 400162 Cluj- Napoca, Romania

Despite the pharmaceutical industry development in recent years, resistance of microorganisms to antibiotics is increasing [1,2,3]. Under these conditions, the alternative of natural products with similar effect, must be considered. This study aimed to test in vitro antimicrobial activity of four types of honey obtained in Central Transylvania, on staphylococci isolated from lesions in both animals and humans, as well as to test comparatively the effect of the most frequently antibiotics used in treating the lesions caused by staphylococci. The products with potentially antimicrobial effect were represented by forest honey, multi-flower honey, lime honey and acacia honey. Tests were done on 38 strains of staphylococci form species S. aureus (8 strains), S. intermedius (10 strains), S. xilosus (7 strains), S. hominis (5 strains), S. chromogenes (4 strains) and S. sciuri (4 strains). Comparatively seven antibiotics commonly used to treat staphylococci were also tested. The sensibility was determinated using the microdillutions method obtaining mimimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for each sample in accordance to CLSI standards. Forest honey had a good antimicrobial effect (MIC 15µg/ml) on S. intermedius and S. chromogenes strains and multi-flower honey had good effect (MIC 15µg/ml) against S.sciurii. Lime honey had a decreased antimicrobial effect (MIC 60µg/ml) on S. xilosus and acacia honey had good effect against S. xilosus (MIC 30µg/ml). The most efficient antibiotics were ampicillin (MIC 8µg/ml) on S. aureus and S. intermedius, and ceftiofur (MIC 4µg/ml) against S. xilosus, S. hominis, S. chromogenes and S. sciuri. These results show that the antimicrobial effect of honey is variable it may depend on the type of honey used and tested microbial strains.

Keywords: staphylococci, honey, antibiotics

References: [1] Hancock EW (2005) Lancet Infect Dis 5(4): 209–218.

[2] Levy SB et al. (2004) Nat Med 10: S122-S129.

[3] Nascimento GGF et al. (2000) Braz J Microbiol 31: 247–256.