Can a medical grade honey sterilize an unsterilized honey

Abstract

Background: Honey has reemerged as a new antimicrobial to treat and heal wounds. However, often it is found to be contaminated with microbes. Aim: To test whether the medical grade honey can be used as a method of sterilizing a fresh unsterilized honey. Methods and Materials: A freshly obtained raw honey of Apis Dorsata species was procured from Amit Jain’s Centre of Apitherapy, Amit Jain’s Institute of Diabetic Foot and Wound Care, Brindhavvan Areion hospital, Bengaluru, India. A sample of it was sent to microbiology laboratory to determine any microbial growths. Subsequently, 10 ml of medical grade honey that was sterilized with gamma irradiation was added to unsterilized honey and after 1 week, this mixed honey sample was sent for microbial analysis. Results: It was noted that the mixed honey specimen containing sterilized medical grade honey yielded growth in culture similar to unsterilized honey. Conclusion: Medical grade honey is ineffective in sterilizing fresh raw honey and should not be used as a method of honey sterilization.