Australia’s native bees have an unusual power that can fight antibiotic resistance
Wet food usually spoils, yet much of stingless bee honey stays remarkably free from harmful microbes.
Australia's stingless bees, found across the country from tropical Queensland to temperate New South Wales, possess an unusual property that could combat antibiotic resistance. In a study published in PLOS One, researchers tested honey and propolis from the Tetragonula carbonaria bee against 16 common disease-causing bacteria and fungi.
The honey stopped all the bacteria tested, while the propolis was particularly effective against certain fungi. This is noteworthy because honey typically relies on hydrogen peroxide to fight microbes, which typically only lasts a few hours. However, stingless bee honey can still produce peroxide for up to a week, even after significant dilution or heating.
The honey also contains plant compounds called phenolics that can fight microbes, and bees may incorporate certain proteins that directly attack microbes. While promising, the antibacterial and antifungal properties of the honey and propolis require further testing and development for practical medical use. The potential for new treatments lies in the unique chemical composition of these products, which could inspire future antimicrobial treatments.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
