Physico-Chemical Properties and Biological Activities of Algerian Steppe Honey | Chapter 11 | Research Perspective on Biological Science Vol. 1

Honey is a complex natural product with a wide range of biological activities, attributed to its diverse bioactive compounds. These activities include antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing properties, among others. The specific biological effects of honey can vary depending on factors such as the bee species, geographic location, and botanical origin. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical properties as well as the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of honey from the Algerian steppe. The following physicochemical parameters were measured: pH, moisture content, electrical conductivity (EC), total acidity, free acidity, ash and HMF. The antibacterial activity of honey samples was tested against three pathogenic bacteria: Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 33862 by using the agar incorporation technique to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the tested honeys. The antioxidant effect was assessed by using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging test and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. The obtained results indicated that the physico-chemical analysis confirmed the good quality of the studied honeys according to the standards set by the European Union Commission and Codex Alimentarius Commission. All honey samples had the ability to scavenge DPPH radical and showed an important reducing potential. Euphorbia cheiradenia honey had the highest antioxidant capacity. The result of the antibacterial effect of this study revealed that the honey samples showed an important antibacterial effect against all the tested bacterial strains. Noaea mucronata honey has a better antibacterial effect against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The diverse range of bioactive compounds found in Algerian honey makes it a promising candidate for further research and development in the field of natural medicine, potentially leading to innovative treatments that harness its healing properties.

 

Author (s) Details

Fatiha Abdellah
Laboratory of Research on Local Animal Products, Ibn-Khaldoun University, Tiaret, Algeria.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/rpbs/v1/4136