A NIGER STATE POLYTECHNIC JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. Vol.3 No3

1. ANTI-MlCROBIAL EFFECTS OF BEE HONEY ON CLINICAL ISOLATE OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS
FROM WOUND
BY
KARIBA A. IBRAHIM
Habibsalam141@yaboo.com0813
8546764,07051958897 AND
LUCY F. OLUSOLA
Lucyemma36@vahoo.com08
131593008,08051168136
SCHOOL OF APPLIED SCIENCES, DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY, NIGER STATE
POLTECHNIC, ZUNGERU.
ABSTRACT
Proximate composition of honey and its antimicrobial activities against Salmonella aureus was
determined. The proximate analysis showed that the honey contained 2.53% crude protein, 22.40% lipid,
16.90% moisture, 57.52% carbohydrates, 0.65% totaL ash and pH of 3.30. Its antimicrobiaL activity
against the test organism showed significant zones of inhibition (6mm to 14mm) for different
concentrations of 10% V/V honey sample. Honey could therefore be used in the treatment of diseases.
Key words: Anti-Microbial, Bee-honey, Clinical, IsoLate, StaphyLococcus Aureus, and Wound
lNTRODUCTfON
Honey is the sweet substance produced by honey bee from the nectar of blossom or from secretions on
living plants which the bees collect, transforms and store in honey combs. It is a sweet tasting syrup
substance varying in color from pale yellow to reddish brown that is produced by bees from nectar or
honey dew (Zhiri, 2004).
Honey types varies in composition but generally contains not more than 25% moisture, a high sugar
content of70 - 80% glucose and cellulose, 8% sucrose, 0,25% ash and an acid pH 3.3- 4.2 (White and
Doner, 1980).
However, the composition of a particular honey depends upon two general factors. The composition of the
nectar and where it originates certain external factors, weather or climate conditions, and other factors
include; bee keeper practice in removing and extracting honey, period and condition of storage. Two
considerations make the concept of an average composition of honey somewhat uncertain, the degree to
which the method of analysis used to establish the individual values actually reflect the true composition
encountered among honey, because they represent different floral types (Zhiri, 2004).
Staphylococcusaureus is responsible for a variety of skin infections which requires therapeutic approaches
different from those of streptococcal infections.
Staphylococcusaureus is an important cause of superficial localized skin sepsis which varies from small
pustules, to boils and occasionally be more deeply invasive, suppressive skin abscess known as a
carbunels. Antibiotics are generally not indicated for these conditions.

2. Pustules and boils settle with antiseptic soaps or creams and often discharge spontaneously, whereas
carbunel frequently requires surgical drainage.
The honey bee has probably been associated with man from the time the latter first appeared on the
earth. The combs of the bee provided food and the bees were used in many ways. Speculations are
that, as nomadic tribes settled down to take more or less permanent possession . of choice areas,
haunts of wild bees were note. The first visible proof of the association of man and bees is to be found
in rock paintings attributed to Neolithic man included a copy of a painting which depicts the removal
of combs from a nest of bees (Molan, 1992).
Much honey was used in Ancient Egypt by the priest for feeding the sacred animals, and in many
ceremonials. As early civilizations, corps was sometimes preserved in honey (O'Connor, 1993). The
Babylonians continued to use honey in medicine, they also used it in rituals and it is referred to the
code of Humunurab, around 1800BC.
Speek, (1992) discussed various important historical data from the point of view of the reflection
between culture and pharmacy, that is one of the oldest foods, sweets and drugs used by man.
Susrwiita, a famous surgeon (1400 BC) recognized eight varieties of honey produced by different
insects (honey bees stingless bees, wraps) from various plant sources. Specific medicinal properties
were attributed to each variety, some were coding, others cured asthma and coughs others cured skin
diseases.
The tropical application of honey to bums and wounds has been described by a number of clinicians.
The viscosity of honey makes it a good barrier compound, its water solubility allows easy removal,
and its mild non-corrosive properties prevent any additional harm to either damaged or healthy
tissue. A few of the many reports on the successful use of honey for wound (Smith and Enguist,
1967).
Certain bacteria quickly perish in heat sterilized honey, diluted honeys being more effective than
undiluted. Anti-bacterial effects of honey were. examined and ascribed to a material called
"Inhibine". Subsequent investigation showed the natural unheated honeys of various origins were
effective against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (Waikato, 2003).
Tropical antibacterial therapy is indicated for the treatment of all bum patients until the wound is
completely closed (Smith and Enguist, 1967).
MATERIALS AND METHOD
The bee honey was obtained into sterilized clean bottle from breeders in Minna, Niger State. The
organism of interest is pure strain of Staphylococcusaureus from the preserved stock in
microbiology Laboratory of Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger state.
The agar diffusion method was in determining anti-microbial effect of honey. Concentrations of
10%, 30%, 50%, 70% 90% 100% (v/v) of the honey was made using sterile distilled water as
diluents.
Dilution of the test organisms Staphylococcusaureus was made into 2ml of nutrient broth in bijou
bottles. One(I)ml loop full was taking from the bottle and used to spread evenJy on the surface of the
sterile pipette and glass spreader subsequently, six wells were made on each plate using a sterile core
borer (5mm) and the wells labeled as 30%(v/v), 50%(v/v), 70%(v/v),
90%(v/v), 100%(v/v) respectively. Two drop of honey solution of these concentrations were
aseptically dispensed into the wells. The plates were incubated at 37°C for 24hours.
A divider and meter rule was used to measure the diameter of the clear zone of inhibition as in table 1.
RESULT
90%(v/v), 100%(v/v) respectively. Two drop of honey solution of these concentrations were
aseptically dispensed into the wells. The plates were incubated at 37°C for 24hours.
A divider and meter rule was used to measure the diameter of the clear zone of inhibition as in table 1.
RESULT

3. Table 1: Antimicrobial effect of honey on Staphylococcusaureus
Concentration of Honey (%) Zone ofInhibition(mm)
06.3
08.0
I) .2
12.4
12.8
09.2
10%
30%
50%
70%
90%
100%
The result recorded in table l above revealed that honey showed antimicrobial effect on the text
organisms, Staphylococcusaureus.
DISCUSSION
The result obtained from tbis study indicates that honey has a considerable antimicrobial property
against the test organism, staphylococcus aureus, most especially with little children, this feat would
be attributed to the sugar content which gives it a high Osmotic potential and hydroscopic nature. This
makes honey to draw water out of the organism. This consequently reduces the water level of the
organism and makes them dormant. This agrees witb Thompson (1975) that hygroscopic nature and
osmotic pressure of honey constitutes its antimicrobial potential.
Honey's therapeutic action could also be attributed to its acidic nature. Vasvada (1988) revealed that
malic acid, litric and taunic succinic acids account for about 5% of the boney substance. This he said
makes the honey stable against germs and micro-organisms. Honey's ability to produce hydrogen
peroxide emzymatically is another reason for therapeutic action. This agrees with Husseni (2005) that
honey produces hydrogen peroxide through enzymatic action.
Absolute honey concentration showed limited activity against the text organism and also those of
lower concentration showed wider zones of inhibition. This could be attributed to ability of honey to
penetrate the organism. Tropical application of honey on wounds yields better treatment than oral use.
This equally agrees with Waikato Honey Research Unit (2003) that when honey is orally applied, it
undergoes series of tissue dilution before getting to the target. Thus the concentration may not be
enough to act on the pathogen.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The following recommendations are hereby offered based on the outcome of this work;
• Honey should be used in wound dressing instead of orthodox drugs.
90%(v/v), 100%(v/v) respectively. Two drop of honey solution of these concentrations were
aseptically dispensed into the wells. The plates were incubated at 37°C for 24hours.
A divider and meter rule was used to measure the diameter of the clear zone of inhibition as in table 1.
RESULT

4.  Bee keeping should be encouraged to boost honey production and economic empowerment of
families.
 Use of honey should be in concentrated form, dilution should be avoided.
 Honey been used for treatment of disease, because it is cheap, readily available and has high
curative potential.
CONCLUSION
Based on outcome of this work it could be concluded that honey has high antimicrobial potency
against staphylococcus aureus, this implies that, it could be used to treat diseases caused by the test
organism. It can be used in wound dressing as staphylococcus aureus is of those organism responsible
for wound infection.
The proximate analysis also makes it possible to conclude that honey is highly nutritional. It will go a
long way in solving problems of antimicrobial resistance. Orthodox drugs against staphylococcus
aureus. It can be used also as a sweetener in place of sucrose.

5. REFERENCES
Husseni, O.B.O., (2005): "All for the love of nutrients 78th
Inaugural lecture, University of TIorin, Nigeria",
Unilorin Press, Pg 39.
Malon, P.e., (1992): "Antimicrobial activity of honey bee "World Vol. 73. Pp 5 - 28.
O'Conner, e.B., (1993): Traditional cheese making manual.
Smith and Enguist, I.F., (1967): "A quantitative study of impaired healing resulting from wound infection"
surg, Gynecol. Obslect, 125. Pp 765 - 973.
Speck, M.L., (1992): "Control of food borne pathogens by starter cultures in fermented honey".
Journal of dairy science Vol. 54 Pp 1019 - 1023.
Thompson, A.M., (1975): "Production of honey in curing diseases and illness", An African Journal
development Vol. 3. Pp 69 - 74.
Vasvada, P.e., (1988): Pathogenic bacteria In hooey bee. A review Journal of dairy Science.Vol. 71. Pp 2809 -
2816.
Waikato Honey Research Unit (2003): "Honey is an antimicrobial agent", Sciences search.
Dept of Biological Sciences, The University ofWaikato. Pp 1 - 11.
White, J.J. and Doner, L.W., (1980): "Honey composition and property in bee keeping in United State", 2nd
Edition, Science and Education Press, U.S.A. Pg 86.
Zhiri, M.K., (2004): "Efficiency of honey and leaf of extract of terminalia cattap on ~. typhi", ND thesis,
(Unpublished) Dept. of Basic and Applied Sciences, Niger State Polytechnic, Zungeru.