Physicochemical Characteristics And Anti-Bacterial Activities Of Stingless Bee Honey (Tasma Honey) From Nejo District, Oromia Region, Ethopia

Abstract

The physicochemical and pollen grain analysis of honey were determined using standard methods. Agar disc and well diffusion were used for anti-bacterial susceptibility test while agar dilution was used to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). A bacterial count was carried out by pour plate technique. The physico-chemical characters were evaluated for the moisture content (MC), electrical conductivity (EC), pH, ash, total acidity (TA) and hydroxyl methyl furfural (HMF). The study results showed that the mean values of pH, Ash, TA, Moisture content, EC, and HMF for honey samples were 3.88±0.025, 0.4±0.12% 13.5±0.24 meqKg-1, 28.17±0.2%, 0.749±0.001 mS/cm and 12.5 mg Kg-1 respectively. The overall average and the highest diameter of inhibition zone against standard isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pneumonia klebsiella were recorded for stingless honey was 22.22±0.55 mm for Agalo Basi Stingless Honey, 21.89±0.48 mm for Amuma Degero Stingless Honey and 21.22±0.48 mm for Sombo Saden Stingless Honey, while 24.44±0.50 mm for the positive control chloramphenicol by well diffusion method. On the other hand, the overall average inhibition zone (mm) recorded by disc diffusion from Agalo Basi Stingless Honey, Amuma Degero Stingless Honey and Sombo Saden Stingless honey were 15.78±0.24mm, 15.67±0.30 mm and 15±0.30 mm; respectively while 23.33±0.55 mm and 22.33±0.7 2mm for the positive control chloramphenicol and Ciprofloxacin against the tested bacterial pathogens. The overall mean of minimum inhibitory concentration (%) and minimum bactericidal concentration (%) against tested bacteria SSA were 9.38% and 43.75% by Agalo Basi Stingless Honey, Amuma Degero Stingless Honey and Sombo Saden Stingless Honey, SKP were 12.5% and 43.75% by Agalo Basi Stingless Honey, Amuma Degero Stingless Honey and Sombo Saden Stingless Honey and SPA were 9.38% by Agalo Basi Stingless Honey, Amuma Degero Stingless Honey and Sombo Saden Stingless Honey respectively. The highest and least mean counted was Aerobic Bacterial Spore Formers 2.5×102 cfu/ml and Aerobic Mesophilic Counts 1.5×102 cfu/ml respectively from Sombo Saden Stingless Honey and Staphylococci counts 2.3×102 cfu/ml, from Amuma Degero Stingless Honey sample, while Agalo Basi Stingless Honey sample became free of any bacterial contamination. All types of honey samples were safe from Enterobacteriaceae and Coliforms. Guzotia Scubrus, Terminalia, Vernnia adoensis and Maitrus were the major floral sources of the tested honeys. Thus, Honey from all the study area had good antibacterial and nutritional values.