Note. Pollen Analysis and Antibacterial Activity of Spanish Honeys

Abstract

Antibacterial activity of twenty-five samples of honey from different botanical origin was evaluated. Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 was used as the resistant microorganism. Pollen analysis revealed different botanical origins: Labiatae, rosemary, eucalyptus, heather and multifloral. The pH and acidity values were in the normal range, except for four samples that showed acidity values over 40 meq/kg, but none exhibited a state of fermentation. We have not found correlation between antibacterial activity and free acidity in the samples. Labiatae and rosemary honeys have exhibited the largest inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC, conversely to heather honeys, which showed lowest inhibition ability against this microorganism. Our results may indicate the presence of antimicrobial agents in Labiatae and rosemary honeys that have inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC. Likewise, the free acids of heather honeys have not shown inhibitory activity over this microorganism.