MānukaHoney is a non-peroxide honey, which contains a high concentration of Methylglyoxal (MGO ). A substance that is co-responsible for the strong anti-bacterial activity of MānukaHoney. This anti-bacterial activity of MGO is enhanced by the presence of certain non anti-bacterial components in MānukaHoney. The combination of (at least for what concerns MGO, the quantity present) these substances in the MānukaHoney is decisive for the degree of non-peroxide anti-bacterial activity. Anti-bacterial activity required for the killing of certain pathogenic micro-organisms.
Peroxide & Non-Peroxide activity
Because of the composition of honey every honey has, to a greater or lesser extent, anti-bacterial properties. This is due to the presence of an enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide. Thence the name Peroxide Activity. This enzyme is made in the nectar by bees. The hydrogen peroxide, and so the majority of the anti-bacterial peroxide activity, is destroyed by enzymes in our body the moment it comes in contact with our body.
Many types of honey have, in addition to the peroxide activity, a second anti-bacterial activity. This is not caused by an enzyme that is added to the nectar by bees, but comes from the plant. With the convened pollen this unique ingredient is added to the nectar by the bees. This activity is not broken down by our body, so this stays fully present. This activity is the Non-Peroxide Activity (NPA). In other types of honey the maximum measured MGO content is 3-8 mg/kg. The special feature of some MānukaHoney types is that levels of more than 700 mg/kg are being found. The higher the MGO content, the more powerful the healing anti-bacterial effect.
More information on MānukaHoney on our web-page MĀNUKA-HONEY, THE MĀNUKA HONEY QUALITY MARK
MānukaHoney & Mānuka BeePollen
