Comparison of antimicrobial activity of 3 honey-plus products and an antimicrobial silver product

MAASTRICHT, Netherlands - April 25, 2013 - PRLog -- Maastricht (NL) A new publication by Samantha Westgate and Keith Cutting shows that honey-plus products (L-Mesitran) are very effective in killing bacteria. Both experts in antimicrobial research in wound care reviewed testing methods and compared data on honey-plus products with a well known silver dressing for wound care.

Chronically infected wounds carry a high multispecies bacterial burden.  A reduction of the bacterial load in the wound bed is essential to make sure wound healing can progress. L-Mesitran products were tested alongside a silver dressing following European Pharmacopeia standards for their antibacterial efficacy. Within 24 hours the bacteria were inhibited by the honey and silver based products, demonstrating their suitability for the use on colonized or infected wounds.

According to the authors this study demonstrated that both topical agents provide a viable alternative to antibiotics. Honey treatment carrying a lower risk of mammalian cell toxicity and a lower risk of encouraging the development of resistant microorganisms.