An Investigation into the Therapeutic Properties of Honey RIRDC Publication No. 09/0180 An Investigation into the Therapeutic Properties of Honey By Dee A. Carter, Shona E. Blair and Julie Irish January 2010 RIRDC Publication No 09/180 RIRDC Project No. PRJ-000544 © 2010 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISBN 1 74151 976 4 ISSN 1440-6845 An Investigation into the Therapeutic Properties of Honey Publication No. 09/180 Project No. PRJ-000544 The information contained in this publication is intended for general use to assist public knowledge and discussion and to help improve the development of sustainable regions. You must not rely on any information contained in this publication without taking specialist advice relevant to your particular circumstances. While reasonable care has been taken in preparing this publication to ensure that information is true and correct, the Commonwealth of Australia gives no assurance as to the accuracy of any information in this publication. The Commonwealth of Australia, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), the authors or contributors expressly disclaim, to the maximum extent permitted by law, all responsibility and liability to any person, arising directly or indirectly from any act or omission, or for any consequences of any such act or omission, made in reliance on the contents of this publication, whether or not caused by any negligence on the part of the Commonwealth of Australia, RIRDC, the authors or contributors. The Commonwealth of Australia does not necessarily endorse the views in this publication. This publication is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all other rights are reserved. However, wide dissemination is encouraged. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the RIRDC Publications Manager on phone 02 6271 4165. Researcher Contact Details Dee Carter School of Molecular and Microbial Biosciences University of Sydney SYDNEY, NSW 2006 Ph: (02) 9351 5383 Fax: (02) 9351 4571 Email:
[email protected] In submitting this report, the researcher has agreed to RIRDC publishing this material in its edited form. RIRDC Contact Details Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Level 2, 15 National Circuit BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Phone: Fax: Email: Web: 02 6271 4100 02 6271 4199
[email protected] http://www.rirdc.gov.au Electronically published by RIRDC in January 2010 Print-on-demand by Union Offset Printing, Canberra at www.rirdc.gov.au or phone 1300 634 313 ii Foreword The research reported here is important to the Australian beekeeping industry and to the wider community. Numerous Australian honeys are shown to have levels of antibacterial activity that could be useful in treating skin and wound infections. Furthermore, the research shows that honey has potent activity against numerous problematic micro-organisms, including bacteria and fungi that are resistant to other drugs, and bacteria growing in biofilms. This research will benefit the beekeeping industry by providing data showing that Australian honey has the potential to become an internationally-recognised, potent, non-toxic, topical antimicrobial agent. The market for such products is almost limitless. Furthermore, with appropriate promotion, increased use and acceptance of selected honeys as wound dressings has the potential to lead to a general increase in status of all Australian honeys, regardless of their medical properties. This research is