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Journal article
Strong antimicrobial activity and unique physicochemical characteristics in honey from Australian stingless bees Tetragonula carbonaria, Tetragonula hockingsi, and Austroplebeia australis
Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Vol.91(6), pp.1-23
2025
PMID: 40397496
Abstract
Natural products have evolved antimicrobial properties that can be exploited in our search for new ways of treating infectious diseases. This study evaluates the antimicrobial properties and chemical profiles of honey produced by the Australian stingless bee species Tetragonula carbonaria, Tetragonula hockingsi, and Austroplebeia australis against selected human pathogens. Using broth microdilution methods, we found that all tested honey samples had antimicrobial activity. The fungal dermatophyte species Trichophyton interdigitale displayed the highest susceptibility (average MICs: 4%–9% [wt/wt]), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (9%–11%), Escherichia coli (10%–13%), and Cryptococcus neoformans (24%–34%). T. carbonaria honey had the highest overall activity, while A. australis honey was the weakest. After heat treatment at 80°C for 30 min to remove hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-based activity, T. carbonaria and T. hockingsi honey retained significant non-peroxide activity against E. coli (14% and 17%, respectively) and S. aureus (17% and 18%, respectively), although their efficacy against the fungal pathogens diminished. Chemical analysis revealed distinct differences in H2O2 production, color intensity, phenolic and antioxidant content, density, and pH among the honey types. The dynamic generation of H2O2 in stingless bee honey was remarkably prolonged, with some samples producing H2O2 for more than 6 days. Proteomic analysis identified diverse proteins that may contribute to antimicrobial efficacy. Phenolic extracts had antimicrobial activity, with flavonoids identified as potential contributors. T. carbonaria honey re-tested after 18 years of storage retained substantial non-peroxide-based activity. Overall, this study highlights the unique properties of stingless bee honeys and their potential as natural antimicrobial agents.
Details
- Title
- Strong antimicrobial activity and unique physicochemical characteristics in honey from Australian stingless bees Tetragonula carbonaria, Tetragonula hockingsi, and Austroplebeia australis
- Authors
- Kenya E. Fernandes (Corresponding Author) - The University of SydneyAviva Levina - The University of SydneyNural N. Cokcetin - The University of SydneyDean Haley - Australian Native Bee Association Inc.Jasmin Li - The University of SydneyPeter Brooks - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringRosalyn Gloag - The University of SydneyDee A. Carter - The University of Sydney
- Publication details
- Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Vol.91(6), pp.1-23
- Publisher
- American Society for Microbiology
- Date published
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.1128/aem.02523-24
- ISSN
- 1098-5336; 0099-2240
- PMID
- 40397496
- Copyright note
- © 2025 Fernandes et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.
- Grant note
- This work was supported by the New South Wales Bushfire Industry Recovery Package Sector Development Grant (BIP-SDG-135) and by seed funding from Fungisphere within the Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991129951602621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
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