Abstract

The antibacterial effect of eight unprocessed commercial honey sold in some local markets in Nigeria were investigated. These samples were selected to examine and compare their ability to inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis. The test organisms were isolated from wound swabs of patients at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Nigeria. Agar diffusion method was employed to ascertain degree of sensitivity of the isolates to different honey samples. Different honey samples showed varying degrees of antibacterial activity. Excellent antibacterial activity was observed with respect to honey from northern Nigeria with zones of inhibition of 17.0 mm. Next to it was honey from southern, eastern and western Nigeria with zones of inhibition of 15.4, 13.5 and 11.6 mm, respectively. P. aeruginosa and P. mirabilisshowed less antibacterial activity and can be regarded as being resistant to the inhibitory effects of honey. Investigated honey samples began to significantly inhibit microorganisms at 80 and 100% concentrations, demonstrating that commercial honey sold locally in Nigerian markets has lesser antibacterial effects on microorganisms.

Key words: Nigeria, antibacterial activity, honey, zone of inhibition.