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Waikato Honey Research Unit
| Waikato Honey
Research Unit |
Research Interests
The current research interests of the Honey Research
Unit include:
- Developing a method of identifying the floral sources of honey by means of their chemical composition
- Comparison of methods of identifying the floral sources of honey for their reliability
- Investigating the flavonoids in New Zealand honeys
- Identification of the oligosaccharide constituents of honey
- Finding honeys with oligosaccharide constituents that could be growth factors for probiotic bifidoacteria
- Investigating how the antimicrobial properties of honey work against bacteria, fungi and protozoa
- Screening a wide range of floral types of honey to find any with outstanding antibacterial or antifungal properties
- Finding the best methods for assaying the antibacterial activity of honey
- Isolating and characterising the unique antibacterial component of manuka honey
- Assessment of the effectiveness of the antibacterial properties of honey against wound-infecting species of bacteria that are a problem to treat with antibiotics
- Assessment of the effectiveness of the antimicrobial properties of honey against fungal species causing wound infections
- Clinical trials of honey as a wound dressing for leg ulcers, pressure sores, malignant wounds, skin grafts and donor sites for skin grafts
- Developing wound dressings that will hold honey in place on wounds effectively
- Identifying the components responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity of honey
- Comparing honeys for their content of components with antioxidant activity
- Studying honey's production of hydrogen peroxide
- Investigating the action of honey in stimulating the growth of tissues in wound healing
- Clinical trial of honey in ophthalmology
- Clinical trial of honey for treating eczema
- Trials of honey to treat acne.
- Assessment of the effectiveness of the antimicrobial properties of honey against disease-causing protozoal species such as Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and Trichomonas
- Assessment of the effectiveness of the antibacterial properties of honey against bacterial species involved in gingivitis and halitosis
- Assessment of the effectiveness of the antibacterial properties of honey against bacterial species involved in gastroenteritis in farmed animals
- Assessment of the potential of honey as an antibacterial agent for the treatment of mastitis in dairy cattle
- Assessment of the effectiveness of the antibacterial properties of honey against strains of Moraxalla bovis isolated from cases of Pink Eye in cattle, deer and sheep
- Trials of honey to treat/prevent gastroenteritis in calf rearing and pig rearing
- Investigating the potential of honey for treating fly strike in sheep
- Assessment of the effectiveness of selected antibacterial honeys as a preservative marinade for meat
The Honey Research Unit has recently completed the following
topics:
- Establishing the effectiveness of the antibacterial properties of honey against strains of streptococci that cause sore throats
- Establishing the effectiveness of the antibacterial activity of honey against the species of bacteria causing mastitis in dairy cattle
- Establishing the effectiveness of the antimicrobial properties of honey against fungal species causing tineas (athlete's foot, ringworm, etc.)
- Establishing the effectiveness of the antibacterial properties of honey against bacterial species involved in gastroenteritis in humans
- Developing a natural preservative for foods - using a combination of honey and a milk enzyme, lactoperoxidase
- Assessment of the effectiveness of the antibacterial properties of honey against bacterial species involved in dental caries
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