Antibacterial activities of honey bee against gram-positive bacteria isolated from urine

Abstract

The medicinal benefits of honey have long been recorded in ancient days as a solution for various ailments and infections. This study x-rayed the effects of honey on common gram-positive bacteria isolated from urine. The study evaluated the in vitro susceptibility of two gram positive bacteria strains, isolated from urine of students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Anambra state, Nigeria. The end point was achieved via macroscopic, microscopic methods and biochemical examinations which includes: gram staining, urease, catalase, coagulase testing to a hsoney sample. The evaluation of the antibacterial activity was ascertained by the agar diffusion well method. The results obtained in this study proved that the honey sample exhibited potent antibacterial activity against the tested strains, the zone of inhibition was at a mean value of 20.5 mm and 29.5 mm respectively at 100% concentration of honey. Staphylococcus epidermidis was found to be less susceptible than Enterococcus faecalis with a mean inhibition zones being 29.5 mm. This contribution has provided a broad overview of the antibacterial activity of honey and shown that honey bee has great potential for therapeutic use as an alternative therapy for infections caused by the isolates.