EFFICACY OF HONEY AGAINST CLINICAL ISOLATES OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS AND PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA

Abstract

Skin serves as the first line of defense of the body against invading microorganisms. When it becomes compromised due to a cut or a burn, infections may set into the wound. Honey produced by bees can serve as an alternative treatment to available antibiotics to which microorganisms are already becoming resistant to. This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of honey sold in Samaru, Zaria against bacterial wound isolates. Proximate compositions of two honey samples were determined. Pure isolates of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus were challenged against a pool of the two honey samples that passed sterility test using agar well diffusion method. The MIC and MBC of the honey were determined using tube dilution method. The honey samples had a mean pH of 4.93, with composition of 76.23% carbohydrate, 0.16% ash, 2.23% lipid and 3.45% protein. The honey demonstrated its highest activity against P. aeruginosa (20.0 mm), than S. aureus (16.0 mm) at a concentration of 100%v/v. Activity of the honey reduced with reducing concentration, until no activity was recorded at a concentration of 25%v/v. The MIC of the honey was 25%v/v against S. aureus and 12.5%v/v against P. aeruginosa.  However, the MBC of the honey against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa was 25%v/v each. This study confirms that honey sold in Zaria possess antibacterial activity against wound pathogens.