The antimicrobial activity and microbiological safety of stingless bee honeys from Costa Rica
2014; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 53; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês
10.3896/ibra.1.53.5.04
ISSN2078-6913
AutoresGabriel Zamora, K. J. Beukelman, Bert van den Berg, María Laura Arias, Eduardo Umaña, Ingrid Aguilar, Luis A. Sánchez, Natalia Fallas, Linda Quarles van Ufford, Norma Gross,
Tópico(s)Plant and animal studies
ResumoSummaryStingless bee honeys from Costa Rica possess etnopharmacological value mainly as a wound dressing. The microbiological study by APHA methods reported that 83 % of the honeys analysed had microbial counts that comply with European Pharmacopoeia's acceptance criteria for microbiological quality of non-sterile substances for pharmaceutical use. All samples reported the absence of Clostridium botuiinum spores by PCR. Over 90 % of Tetragonisca angustula and Melipona beecheii honeys inhibited Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus at minimum inhibitory concentrations lower than MedihoneyTM. Under the conditions tested, MedihoneyTM was not active against Candida albicans, whereas 53 % of T angustula honeys rendered inhibition. The melissopalynological analyses reported a homogeneous (monofloral) botanical composition for the Meliponini honeys, which emphasizes the contribution of nectar constituents to the antimicrobial activity and provides foundation to the standardization of a desired inhibitory effect. The traditional use of Costa Rican stingless bee honey as a dressing for burns and wounds reveals the application of a proficient antiseptic agent with low health associated risks.
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