Foods · 6 authors, 4 centres
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This in vitro study used a liquid culture growth assay with Bacillus subtilis to show that 3-phenyllactic acid (3-PLA) and polyphenols (represented by gallic acid) enhance the antibacterial effect of methylglyoxal (MGO) in manuka honey, likely by stabilizing MGO. The main limitation is that the findings are based on a single bacterial model and do not directly translate to clinical wound healing or other human applications.
Manuka honey's antibacterial activity is primarily attributed to methylglyoxal (MGO). This study investigated whether other honey components, specifically 3-phenyllactic acid (3-PLA) and polyphenols, synergistically enhance MGO's effect. Methods: The researchers used a liquid culture growth assay with Bacillus subtilis, a bacterium with low MGO detoxification capacity. They measured bacterial growth delay (bacteriostatic effect) in artificial honey and commercial manuka honey solutions spiked with MGO, 3-PLA, and gallic acid (as a polyphenol representative). MGO and 3-PLA concentrations were quantified via HPLC. Key Results: 3-PLA alone had no bacteriostatic effect but significantly increased the growth delay caused by MGO at concentrations ≥250 mg/kg. This synergy was attributed to 3-PLA stabilizing MGO in the medium, reducing its degradation. Gallic acid also enhanced MGO's antibacterial effect, with a bactericidal effect observed at high concentrations. The study found that honeys with similar MGO levels but different antibacterial effects had varying 3-PLA and polyphenol content. Limitations: The study is limited to an in vitro model with a single bacterial strain (B. subtilis). The exact mechanism of MGO stabilization by 3-PLA is unknown, and the contribution of other honey components remains unclear. Implications: The results suggest that 3-PLA and polyphenols are important synergists of MGO in manuka honey, which may be relevant for evaluating honey quality and understanding its antibacterial mechanism. However, the findings are preclinical and require further validation in other bacterial models and clinical contexts.
