The contribution of α-dicarbonyl compound dependent radical formation to the antiseptic effect of honey

• Published in: Journal of functional foods Vol. 45; pp. 239 - 246
• Main Authors: Henatsch, Darius, den Hartog, Gertjan J.M., Duijvestijn, Adriaan M., Wolffs, Petra F., Phielix, Esther, Stokroos, Robert J., Briedé, Jacob J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2018; Elsevier
• Subjects: Amino acid; Free radicals; Medical honey; Methylglyoxal; α-oxaldehyde; AA; M550; FH; Free radicals; ESR; AH; Lys; DMPO; GO; MID; 3-DG; Medical honey; M30; P. aeroginosa; Methylglyoxal; Amino acid; S. aureus; RH; Arg; ROS; α-oxaldehyde; MG; E. coli
• ISSN: 1756-4646; 2214-9414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2018.04.012

[Display omitted] •α-oxoaldehydes methylglyoxal, glyoxal and 3-deoxyglucosone are present in different honeys in varying concentrations.•Methylglyoxal and glyoxal form radicals with hydrogen peroxide and amino acids.•The balance of radical production and free radical quenching explains the wound healing potential of honey. Honey is known for its wound healing potential. In this study we investigated free radical formation and inhibition in different honeys and the influence on bacterial growth inhibition. α-Oxaldehydes and free amino acids were shown to be present in manuka and non-manuka honeys. With electron spin resonance we measured that methylglyoxal (MG) and glyoxal (GO) form different carbon centered radicals under the influence of either hydrogen peroxide or arginine and lysine. These radicals were also formed in a combination of α-oxaldehydes and amino acids in artificial honey, which was quantified by the cytochrome C assay. Also, a strong bactericidal activity for MG and GO (minimum concentration 0.6 and 1.25 mM) was shown against different bacterial strains. Interestingly, honeys with a high MG content were shown to be better free radical scavengers for hydroxyl and superoxide radicals, implying a complex mechanism for free radical donation and scavenging in honey.