A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Sydney has found that honey produced by a particular species of ant in Australia possesses antimicrobial properties. The honeypot ants, known as Camponotus inflatus, are found in arid regions of central and western parts of the country. These ants have a specialized group of workers called repletes, who gather nectar and store it in their extended abdomens, producing a honey that feeds the rest of the colony.
For thousands of years, Indigenous Australians have been consuming this honey and using it to treat various ailments such as sore throats, wounds, and skin ulcers. In the laboratory experiment, the researchers exposed different doses of the ant honey to a range of bacterial and fungal pathogens. They discovered that an 8% solution of the honey killed the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, which is a common cause of skin and soft tissue infections. At a 16% concentration, the honey also killed certain fungi species that can cause serious medical complications.
Interestingly, when compared to other types of honey with known antimicrobial properties, such as Manuka honey, the ant honey had a narrower range of effectiveness. It was ineffective against certain pathogens like Candida albicans and Escherichia coli, which Manuka honey was able to kill. The researchers believe that this difference may be due to the lower concentration of hydrogen peroxide in ant honey, suggesting that there may be unique antimicrobial compounds produced by the ants.
However, due to the cultural significance of ant honey to Indigenous Australians, it is unlikely to be directly used in medicines. Instead, the researchers aim to identify the active compounds in the honey so that they can be replicated and utilized in the development of new treatments. Further research is needed to fully understand the antimicrobial properties of ant honey and its potential applications in the field of medicine.
Overall, this study highlights the potential of ant honey as a source of new antimicrobial compounds. While the findings are promising, more research is required to fully explore its therapeutic possibilities.