Non-peroxide antibacterial activity in Zulia honeys

The honey bee non peroxide antibacterial activity was evaluated in 160 samples from four zones of the Zulia state: The Agronomy Faculty of the University of Zulia, La Rinconada, Mara and Caja Seca during the dry and rainy seasons. Twenty honey combs per zone and per season were sampled, obtaining 20 L of honey for test, making dilutions from 5, 10, 15, 20 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 to 50% (% w/v) of honey content using 0.2% (w/v) catalasa a diluent. The samples were analyzed using pathogenic strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Listeria monocytogenes and Proteus mirabilis, with the agar diffusion technique. The results obtained showed that the Zulia state honeys had antibacterial activity (bacteriostatics) against the six bacteria selected. The most susceptible bacterium was Pseudomonas aeruginosa, over the range of concentrations assayed.