Bioactive Fraction of Manuka Honey Identified

Isolation by HPLC and Characterisation of the Bioactive Fraction of New Zealand Manuka (Leptospermum Scoparium) Honey
Carbohydrate Research, Article in Press, Corrected Proof

Abstract: Using HPLC a fraction of New Zealand manuka honey has been isolated, which gives rise to the non-peroxide antibacterial activity. This fraction proved to be methylglyoxal, a highly reactive precursor in the formation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs).

Methylglyoxal concentrations in 49 manuka and 34 non-manuka honey samples were determined using a direct detection method and compared with values obtained using standard o-phenylenediamine derivatisation. Concentrations obtained using both the methods were similar and varied from 38 to 828 mg/kg.