Antibacterial properties of selected Malaysian Tualang honey against and .

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Tualang honey (TH) is a Malaysian multifloral jungle honey. In recent years, there has been a marked increase in the number of studies published in medical databases regarding its potential health benefits. The study aimed to investigate the effect of TH against and .

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The effect of TH on both bacteria was investigated using MIC, MBC, growth curve, time-kill curve, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and RT-qPCR.

RESULTS

The MIC of TH against and was 18.5% (w/v) and 13% (w/v) respectively and MBC was 25% (w/v) for both bacteria. Spectrophotometric readings of at least 90% inhibition yielded MIC values of TH, 18.5% (w/v) and 15% (w/v) for and respectively. A time-kill curve demonstrated a bactericidal with a 4-log reduction estimated within 8 hours. Using SEM, loss of structural integrity and marked changes in cell shape were observed. RT-qPCR analysis showed that TH reduced the pattern of gene expression in both bacteria, with a trend toward reduced expression of the virulence genes of interest.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that TH could potentially be used as an alternative therapeutic agent for microbial infection particularly against these two organisms.