DOI: https://doi.org/10.55373/mjchem.v27i1.8

Keywords: Honey; antimicrobial; Gram-positive bacteria; Gram-negative bacteria; FT-IR spectroscopy; GC-MS

Abstract

Honey has been used since ancient times for its taste, aroma, and numerous therapeutic properties, including antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antiparasitic, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic activities. This study aims to investigate the antibacterial properties and chemicals characterization of three different type of honeys (Black Honey, BH; Yellow Honey, YH; and Kelulut Honey, KH) from Aceh region. Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method were performed to screen pure honey samples for antibacterial activity against wound-infecting bacteria; i.e. two Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus hominis) and two Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacterial strains. Zone of inhibition were measured and compared with a positive control. The chemical characterizations of honeys were performed by using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS). The Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method showed that Black Honey (BH) exhibited the strongest antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus; Staphylococcus hominis; Escherichia coli; and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with the zone of inhibitions were 18.15±0.73 mm; 17.73±0.52 mm; 17.59±0.70 mm; and 15.52±0.86 mm respectively. The GC-MS analysis showed that all honeys contains 4H-Pyran-4-one, 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl compound, where the largest amount was found in Black Honey (BH) with the percentage area of 24.94%. The GC-MS analysis also exhibited that Black Honey (BH) had the highest carbohydrate content (69.54%), followed by KH (36.54%) and YH (28.40%). In conclusion, the superior antibacterial activity of Black Honey (BH) is correlated with its higher pyranone and carbohydrate compounds. The future study should evaluate the effects of Black Honey (BH) and it’s formulation as wound healing dressing by in vivo on experimental animal.