Manuka Honey: Feasibility and Safety in Postoperative Neurosurgical Wound Care.

OBJECTIVE: To date, no reports have been published on active Leptospermum manuka honey (ALH) feasibility as a postoperative topical wound supplement in neurosurgical patients. The objective of the study is to present the authors' initial experience with using ALH in postoperative neurosurgical patients. METHODS: A single-surgeon retrospective case series review of cranial and spinal operations between 2018 and 2020 was performed in patients with nonhealing wounds or wounds deemed "at risk" as defined by grade 1 Sandy surgical wound dehiscence grading classification. An ALH gel or ointment was applied to these incisions once a day for 2 to 4 weeks. Patients were followed up in the clinic every 2 weeks until incisions had healed. RESULTS: Twenty-five postoperative patients (12 cranial, 13 spinal) were identified to be at high risk of operative debridement. All 25 patients were prescribed a topical application of ALH, which was easily adopted without patient-related adverse events. Seven (four cranial, three spinal) patients required operative debridement and treatment with long-term antibiotic therapy. CONCLUSIONS: In this small case series of neurosurgical patients who were at risk of poor wound healing, the application of medical-grade ALH was well tolerated without patient-reported adverse events. The ALH may have prevented the need for operative debridement in the majority of patients. Further prospective studies are necessary to establish its efficacy in wound healing in the neurosurgical population.

Honey Volatiles as a Fingerprint for Botanical Origin-A Review on their Occurrence on Monofloral Honeys.

Honeys have specific organoleptic characteristics, with nutritional and health benefits, being highly appreciated by consumers, not only in food but also in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Honey composition varies between regions according to the surrounding flora, enabling its characterization by source or type. Monofloral honeys may reach higher market values than multifloral ones. Honey's aroma is very specific, resulting from the combination of volatile compounds present in low concentrations. The authentication of honey's complex matrix, according to its botanical and/or geographical origin, represents a challenge nowadays, due to the different sorts of adulteration that may occur, leading to the search for reliable marker compounds for the different monofloral honeys. The existing information on the volatiles of monofloral honeys is scarce and disperse. In this review, twenty monofloral honeys and honeydews, from acacia, buckwheat, chestnut, clover, cotton, dandelion, eucalyptus, fir tree, heather, lavender, lime tree, orange, pine, rape, raspberry, rhododendron, rosemary, strawberry tree, sunflower and thyme, were selected for volatile comparison purposes. Taking into consideration the country of origin, the technique of isolation and analysis, the five main volatiles from each of the honeys are compared. Whereas some compounds were found in several types of monofloral honey, and thus not considered good volatile markers, some monofloral honeys revealed characteristic volatile compounds independently of their provenance.

Photodegradation of Organophosphorus Pesticides in Honey Medium by Solar Light Irradiation.

In this study, the photodegradation of organophosphorus (OPs) pesticides in the honey medium was evaluated under sunlight irradiation. Some of the 22 samples collected at different sites contained OPs pesticides (Methyl parathion, Coumaphos and Fenitrothion) with an average of 8 ng/g. Moreover, three samples were found with pesticide residue levels exceeding the maximum residue limits (MRL ≥ 50 ng/g) imposed by the standard water (WHO). Gas chromatography (GC) combined with a tritium electron capture detector system was used for the analysis of OPs pesticides in honey. Total degradation of the Methyl parathion was obtained in less than 60 min of irradiation. Moreover, the elimination of the other OPs found in the samples was also effective with a rate of 85% for Coumaphos and Fenitrothion after 50 min of sunlight irradiation. The kinetics of the photodegradation reaction of all OPs pesticides studied followed a pseudo-first order model.

Authentication of Apis cerana Honey and Apis mellifera Honey Based on Major Royal Jelly Protein 2 Gene.

In Asia, honey is mainly produced by Apis mellifera and Apis cerana. However, the price of A. cerana honey is usually much higher than A. mellifera honey. Seeing considerable profits, some dishonest companies and beekeepers mislabel A. mellifera honey as A. cerana honey or incorporate A. mellifera honey into A. cerana honey. In the present study, we developed methods to discriminate A. cerana honey from A. mellifera honey based on the MRJP2 (major royal jelly protein 2) gene. Two pairs of species-specific primers were designed. The amplification products of A. cerana and A. mellifera were 212 and 560 bp, respectively. As little as one percent incorporation of A. mellifera honey in the mixture can be detected by duplex PCR. Additionally, another method based on the melt curve analysis using the same primers was also developed, allowing a rapid discrimination of real-time PCR product of different species. Our study shows that the entomological authentication of honey samples can be identified by nuclear genes other than mitochondrial genes and this extends the possibility of gene selection in identification. The authentication system we proposed could be a useful tool for discriminating A. cerana honey from A. mellifera honey.

HPTLC Fingerprinting-Rapid Method for the Differentiation of Honeys of Different Botanical Origin Based on the Composition of the Lipophilic Fractions.

Bee honey possess various nutritional and medicinal functions, which are the result of its diverse chemical composition. The numerous bioactive compounds in honey come from flower nectar; thus, the identification of the specific chemical profiles of honey samples is of great importance. The lipophilic compounds from eight monofloral honeys (rape, buckwheat, clover, willow, milk thistle, dandelion, raspberry and sweet yellow clover) were investigated. Analyses of the lipophilic fractions obtained by UAE (ultrasound assisted extraction) and SPE (solid phase extraction) extractions were performed using high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). Chromatographic and cluster analyses allowed the identification of a unique, colorful pattern of separated compounds with specific Rf values on the HPTLC plate for each type of monofloral honey. HPTLC is a simple and effective visual method of analysis, and it can serve as a basis for authenticating different types of honey.

Treatment of Dehisced, Thoracic Neonatal Wounds With Single-Use Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Device and Medical-Grade Honey: A Retrospective Case Series.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to report on our experience with a portable, single-use negative pressure wound therapy device used in combination with activated active Leptospermum honey (ALH) in the treatment of colonized or infected, dehisced, thoracic wounds in neonates with complex congenital heart disease. DESIGN: Retrospective, descriptive study. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: We reviewed medical records of 18 neonates and reported on findings from 11; the remaining 7 were not included secondary to incomplete records, transfer to a different institution prior to wound healing, or death. The median age of our patients was 12 days (range, 2 days to 5 weeks); their mean gestational age was 34 weeks. All of the neonates had acquired postoperative wound dehiscence that were colonized or infected and were treated in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Cohen Children's Medical Center (New Hyde Park, New York), a regional perinatal center with a level 4 NICU. METHODS: Wound cultures were obtained on all patients prior to treatment commencement. All cultures were repeated on day 4 of treatment. Systemic antibiotics were administered as necessary. No complications were observed related to the use of negative pressure wound therapy device and ALH. All patients were followed until discharge home or transfer to another facility. The pain scores during placement and removal were acceptable (between 1 and 3; median = 2) using the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale. Staff and parents indicated that the combination of ALH and the negative pressure wound therapy device did not interfere with daily care and parental bonding. CONCLUSIONS: Use of ALH and a single-use negative pressure wound therapy device was successful in this series of 11 neonates with complex congenital heart disease.

Physicochemical characterization and antioxidant activity of 17 commercial Moroccan honeys.

In this study, 17 commercial honey samples from Morocco were analyzed. Four samples did not meet the international physicochemical standards due to high hydroxymethylfurfural content and low diastase activity. Phenol content varied from 163.82 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/kg in citrus honey to 923.70 mg (GAE)/kg in thyme honey from Rachidia; flavonoid content ranged from 4.26 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/kg in citrus honey to 139.62 mg QE/kg in black cumin honey. Black cumin honey had the highest peroxyl scavenging activity; oregano (from Zaraphyt) and thyme honeys (from Rachidia) had the highest ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis[3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid]) scavenging activity; and thyme honey (Saouira) had the highest NO scavenging capacity. The antioxidant activity of Moroccan honeys was correlated with the phenol, flavonoid, and melanoidin contents. Dark honeys had higher antioxidant activity than light honeys. Samples with high sodium levels had lower free radical scavenging activity. On the other hand, calcium and magnesium increased the ABTS and peroxyl scavenging capacity, respectively, of honey samples. According to cluster and discriminant analyses, the honey samples were grouped in three clusters with respect to the phenol, flavonoid, melanoidin, proline, mineral and sugar contents, and free radical scavenging capacity.

Wound care in the wilderness: is there evidence for honey?

Honey is one of the most ancient remedies for wound care. Current research has shown promising results for its use in wound care. This review is intended to inform readers of the physiological properties of honey and the evidence that exists to support its clinical use. When compared with evidence for current wound treatment, honey has proven to be a safe, effective, and sometimes superior treatment for various wounds. There are currently US Food and Drug Administration-approved medical-grade honey products available in the United States. Although there have been no clinical trials exploring the use of honey in wilderness environments, it may be a safe, improvisational wound treatment. More robust studies are needed for definitive conclusions of its efficacy and safety.

Microbiological and physicochemical analysis of yateí (Tetragonisca angustula) honey for assessing quality standards and commercialization.

Due to the interest in the production and trading of yateí (Tetragonisca angustula) honey in the province of Misiones, Argentina, in this work we assessed microbiological and physicochemical parameters in order to contribute to the elaboration of standards for quality control and promote commercialization. Results showed that yateí honey samples had significantly different microbiological and physicochemical characteristics in comparison to established quality standards for Apis mellifera honey. Thus, we observed that values for pH (3.72), glucose (19.01 g/100g) and fructose (23.74 g/100g) were lower than A. mellifera quality standards, while acidity (79.42 meq/kg), moisture (24%), and mould and yeast count (MY) (3.02 log CFU/g) were higher. The acid content was correlated with glucose (R2=0.75) and fructose (R2=0.68) content, and also with mould and yeast counts (R2=0.45) to a lesser extent. The incidence of microorganisms in yateí honey samples reached 42.85% and 39% for Clostridium sulfite-reducers and Bacillus spp., respectively. No C. botulinum or B. cereus cells were detected. Enterococcus spp. and Staphylococcus spp. incidence was similar (ca. 7.14%), whereas Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. were not detected. We conclude that the microbiological and physicochemical properties of yateí honey are different from those of A. mellifera honey; hence, different quality standards could be implemented to promote its commercialization.

Antibacterial components of honey.

The antibacterial activity of honey has been known since the 19th century. Recently, the potent activity of honey against antibiotic-resistant bacteria has further increased the interest for application of honey, but incomplete knowledge of the antibacterial activity is a major obstacle for clinical applicability. The high sugar concentration, hydrogen peroxide, and the low pH are well-known antibacterial factors in honey and more recently, methylglyoxal and the antimicrobial peptide bee defensin-1 were identified as important antibacterial compounds in honey. The antibacterial activity of honey is highly complex due to the involvement of multiple compounds and due to the large variation in the concentrations of these compounds among honeys. The current review will elaborate on the antibacterial compounds in honey. We discuss the activity of the individual compounds, their contribution to the complex antibacterial activity of honey, a novel approach to identify additional honey antibacterial compounds, and the implications of the novel developments for standardization of honey for medical applications.

Identification, quantification and carbon stable isotopes determinations of organic acids in monofloral honeys. A powerful tool for botanical and authenticity control.

RATIONALE: The analytical composition and botanical origin of honey are basic data used to determine the quality of this foodstuff. Although proteins are used to characterise the analytical composition of honey, they can be eliminated during its ultrafiltration and, in the case of honeys not saturated with their own pollen, the use of proteins does not work well. As acidity is a well-known characteristic of honey and organic acids are present at around 0.5% in honey, we therefore investigated an alternative method to the protein-based White method, using organic acids as new internal standards instead of proteins. METHODS: The qualitative and quantitative analyses of 14 organic acids were carried out by ion chromatography with an electrochemical detector. The (13)C/(12)C isotopic ratios of the honeys, and of the organic acids extracted from them with an anion exchange resin, were determined by isotope ratio mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Gluconic acid is the predominant organic acid in honey, at between 1.8 and 12.7 g/kg. For fir honey the major acid is galacturonic acid at around 4.6 g/kg. The isotopic ratios of honeys and of their acids are strongly linked. Correlations between the δ(13)C values of the honey and the acids were significant, and better than those obtained using proteins. CONCLUSIONS: This study has provided a method to differentiate honeys from seven botanical origins, based on organic acid analysis. By combining various organic acid contents and isotopic ratio values through statistical processing by Principal Component Analysis it is possible to differentiate honey samples as a function of their botanical origin.

Comprehensive study of honey with protected denomination of origin and contribution to the enhancement of legal specifications.

In this study the characterization of a total of 60 honey samples with Protected Denomination of Origin (PDO) collected over three harvests (2009-2011, inclusive), from the Northeast of Portugal was carried out based on the presence of pollen, physicochemical and microbiological characteristics. All samples were found to meet the European Legislation, but some didn't meet the requirements of the PDO specifications. Concerning the floral origin of honey, our results showed the prevalence of rosemary (Lavandula pedunculata) pollen. The microbiological quality of all the analyzed samples was satisfactory, since fecal coliforms, sulfite-reducing clostridia and Salmonella were absent, and molds and yeasts were detected in low counts. Significant differences between the results were studied using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Tukey's HSD test. The samples were submitted to discriminant function analysis, in order to determine which variables differentiate between two or more naturally occurring groups (Forward Stepwise Analysis). The variables selected were in this order: diastase activity, pH, reducing sugars, free acidity and HMF. The pollen spectrum has perfect discriminatory power. This is the first study in which a honey with PDO was tested, in order to assess its compliance with the PDO book of specifications.

Thin-layer chromatography in the authenticity testing of bee-products.

Quality control, nutritional value and the monitoring of hazardous residues in honey bee- products have become major topics for both producers and consumers. Due to its potential role in human health, bee-products rich in bioactive compounds are becoming increasingly popular. This review aims to provide an overview of thin-layer chromatography methods used in quality control,authenticity testing and chemical profiling of bee-products in order to help scientists engaged in the field of bee-products chemistry to utilize the advantages of this technique in the detection and elimination of fraudulent practices in bee-product manufacturing. Recently, hyphenation of thin-layer chromatography, image analysis and chemometrics support bee-products analysisbysimultaneousdeterminationofanalytes with different detection principles, identification of individual bioactive compounds as well as structure elucidation of compounds. Highlighted opportunities of thin-layer chromatography could encourage further investigations that would lead to improvements in the detection and elimination of marketing fraudulent practices.

Volatile compounds in honey: a review on their involvement in aroma, botanical origin determination and potential biomedical activities.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in honey are obtained from diverse biosynthetic pathways and extracted by using various methods associated with varying degrees of selectivity and effectiveness. These compounds are grouped into chemical categories such as aldehyde, ketone, acid, alcohol, hydrocarbon, norisoprenoids, terpenes and benzene compounds and their derivatives, furan and pyran derivatives. They represent a fingerprint of a specific honey and therefore could be used to differentiate between monofloral honeys from different floral sources, thus providing valuable information concerning the honey's botanical and geographical origin. However, only plant derived compounds and their metabolites (terpenes, norisoprenoids and benzene compounds and their derivatives) must be employed to discriminate among floral origins of honey. Notwithstanding, many authors have reported different floral markers for honey of the same floral origin, consequently sensory analysis, in conjunction with analysis of VOCs could help to clear this ambiguity. Furthermore, VOCs influence honey's aroma described as sweet, citrus, floral, almond, rancid, etc. Clearly, the contribution of a volatile compound to honey aroma is determined by its odor activity value. Elucidation of the aroma compounds along with floral origins of a particular honey can help to standardize its quality and avoid fraudulent labeling of the product. Although only present in low concentrations, VOCS could contribute to biomedical activities of honey, especially the antioxidant effect due to their natural radical scavenging potential.

Honey promotes angiogeneic activity in the rat aortic ring assay.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate possible effects of honey on angiogenesis, using in vitro analogues of angiogenesis and an endothelial proliferation assay. METHOD: Using an in vitro rat aortic ring assay we compared pseudotubule formation by medicinal honey (Activon), supermarket honey (Rowse) and a honey-based ointment (Mesitran), with that of artificial honey (70% w/w sugar glucose/fructose). Pseudotubules were analysed using TCS Cellworks AngioSys software. The Angiokit sytem was used to validate the results. Using the MTT [3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium. Bromide] assay, toxicity was also assessed on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) directly adherent to plastic. RESULTS: All honey preparations stimulated pseudotubule formation, maximal at around 0.2% honey. Medicinal honeys were more active than Rowse. The effect was not attributable to the sugar content. Among the honeys tested, the Manuka-based Activon preparation reduced residual viable biomass compared with a sugar control at > 0.32% v/v concentration. Rowse had a similar effect only at 2.5%, the highest dose tested. CONCLUSION: The influence of honey constituents on angiogenesis in a wound dressing context is likely to be positive, but would depend on the effective dilution of the honey and the penetration of the active constituents against an osmotic gradient. The extent to which this occurs has yet to be established. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: This work was conceived, designed and executed by the authors. Medical honey preparations were supplied unconditionally but free of charge by the distributors.

Detection and quantification of adulterants in honey by LIBS.

The present work proposes methods for detection and quantification of honey adulterants using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). The sample set consisted of 6 pure honey from different botanical sources, 2 sweetener syrups and 228 fortified samples. The spectra acquired using a spark discharge coupled to the LIBS system were used for the development of the PLS-DA (classification) and PLS (calibration) models. Several data preprocessing and variable selection methods were evaluated to obtain the best fit. The detection of adulterants was performed with 100% of accuracy. The quantification of adulterants was possible through a PLS model with the variables selected by iPLS. The PLS model was validated with external samples and presented good accuracy, selectivity, sensitivity, and linearity. The proposed methods highlighted the potential of the LIBS technique for honey authenticity certification, providing fast, simple, and clean determinations since no sample pretreatment was required.

Quality Assessment, Functional Potentials, and Safety Evaluation of Stored Egyptian Honey as an Environmental Pollution Bioindicator.

Egyptian honeys are distinguished by their variety, properties, and therapeutic applications. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the quality and the functional and safety characteristics of Egyptian honey as a sensitive environmental bioindicator collected from 9 different locations in Egypt that were exposed to various air pollution sources, either stationary, mobile, or area sources, and stored for 6 mo at ambient temperature (22 ± 2 °C) compared with Codex Alimentarius international standards. Physicochemical properties, sugar profile via high performance liquid chromatography, functional potentials (antioxidant and antimicrobial), and safety parameters (microbiological quality, aflatoxins, and heavy metal pollutants) were assessed. The results revealed that honey obtained from Shabshir Hessa, El Gharbia Governorate (GSH-1), showed the best quality with the highest monosaccharide and phenolic and flavonoid content (73.07%, 363.07, and 15.33 mg/g, respectively) and clear of biotic and abiotic contaminants, reflecting good hygienic, environmental conditions and apiarian practices. The other 8 honey samples reflected inferior quality in physicochemical parameters either of low monosaccharide content (40.46-50.25%), high hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) values as in Borg El-Arab Industrial Zone, Alexandria Governorate (BAI-9), and Nubaria Desert Road, Alexandria Governorate (NDR-4; 50.83 and 48.25 mg/kg), or of high acidity as in Agricultural Road, El Gharbia Governorate (GAR-3), and NDR-4 (74.72 and 68.47 mEq/kg) attributable to contaminated locations (fermentations) or thermal treatment (HMF). Furthermore, safety assessment revealed that coliform counts exceeded 2.5 log10 cfu/g in 6 samples-Chemicals Company, Kafr El Zayyat Governorate (KZC-2); GAR-3; NDR-4; Mansoura Fertilizer Talkha Company, Daqahlia Governorate (MFT-5); Gharbaniyat Cement Company, Beheira Governorate; and BAI-9-and the highest counts of yeast and molds in Abees Ceramic Company, Alexandria Governorate (3.72 log10 cfu/g), which was reflected in its total aflatoxins (679.83 µg/kg). Samples MFT-5; GAR-3; Kafr El-Sheikh Petroleum Company, Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate; and KZC-2 exceeded the lead permissible limit (0.75, 0.61, 0.57, and 0.51 mg/kg, respectively) as a result of inferior hygienic quality and the negative effects of environmental pollutants. The results ring alarm bells about how we should take substantial steps toward stringent standards for quality control practices of honey production operations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1894-1907. © 2020 SETAC.

Physicochemical characteristics of bracatinga honeydew honey and blossom honey produced in the state of Santa Catarina: An approach to honey differentiation.

Due to the increasing demand and interest of the consumers of bracatinga honeydew honey, it becomes important to know its characteristics in order to guarantee the quality of this dark honey. It is also necessary to investigate possible parameters that easily determine their differentiation from other honeys, thus guaranteeing their authenticity. Therefore, in the present study, the physicochemical characteristics and the reducing/scavenging proprieties of 16 bracatinga (Mimosa scabrella Bentham) honeydew honey samples and 25 blossom honey (different botanical origin) samples from Santa Catarina, Brazil, were investigated. Bracatinga honeydew honeys were defined by its high free acidity, electrical conductivity and reducing/scavenging capacity, and low glucose content.Still, these specific parameters allowed the differentiation between bracatinga honeydew honeys and blossom honeys, from the of principal component analysis, contributing to the differentiation of these honeys.

Pesticide and trace element residues in honey and beeswax combs from Israel in association with human risk assessment and honey adulteration.

Beehive products are considered sentinels for environmental pollutants. The presence of trace elements and pesticides in honey and beeswax may pose a health hazard to consumers. The study's aim was to determine the profile of pesticides and trace elements in Israeli honey and beeswax samples in relation to human risk assessment. At least two pesticides contaminated the honey and beeswax samples simultaneously, in which, amitraz metabolites and coumaphos were frequently detected. The neonicotinoid insecticides and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, were found only in honey samples, whereas the more lipophilic pesticides were predominantly found in beeswax. In honey, chromium displayed the highest mean concentration, followed by zinc, whereas lead and molybdene occurred only in beeswax. Our findings indicate that the daily consumption of honey and beeswax together may compromise children's health. Sucrose-syrup fed honey could not be distinguished from floral honey based on sugar profile, rather by its trace elements levels.

Physicochemical characterization and determination of chloramphenicol residues and heavy metals in Algerian honeys.

The concentration of certain heavy metals in various foods (fruits, cereals, legumes, and bee products) produced in industrial and urban cities is increasing each year following industrial development. Quality of honey and its contamination by different polluting agents are related essentially to its production environment, or it can arise from beekeeping practices. In the present study, the determination of physicochemical properties: moisture, pH, total acidity, electric conductivity, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), sugars, and chloramphenicol (CAP) residues; the metal content by determination of two toxic metals levels: lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd); and other trace elements: magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and nickel (Ni) in 23 different honey samples collected from North regions of Algeria were investigated. The physicochemical properties and the metal contents were found within the ranges established by the international standards. For the antibiotic residues, only four honey samples are contaminated by CAP. Metals were found in non-significant values and are in safety baseline levels for human consumption except Mg which exceed the limits. These results suggested that honey could be used as an indicator to detect contaminating agents from the environment since bees are excellent sentinels for assessing environmental contamination because of their physiological and biological characteristics.