It has long been known that honey has healing properties but now a researcher from The University of Manchester found that a medicinal type of honey is effective against fungus that can lead to blindness or even death.

Zain Habib Alhindi tested varying concentrations of Surgihoney to test if it will be effective against a fungus called Fusarium. Surgihoney is biologically engineered honey designed to produce chemically reactive molecules filled with oxygen, while Fusarium is found in the soil and on plants, which can cause severe infections particularly in vulnerable individuals.

According to the research, even Surgihoney at the lowest concentration was able to significantly break down the fungus' cell wall, demonstrating that it has potential as a treatment option.

Chronic infections, like those in long-lasting wounds, make up to 80 percent of infectious diseases and the manner by which fungi attack wounds is linked to broad-spectrum antibiotic use. However, thin layers of microorganisms banding together called biofilms contribute to not just the severity but the delayed healing of chronic wounds as well.

"Through my research I wanted to show the potential for honey as a healing agent to break through these biofilms and in doing so increase the process of healing," said Zain

Working under the supervision of Riina Rautemaa-Richardson, a senior infectious diseases lecturer from the Institute of Inflammation and Repair at The University, she discovered that honey actually performs better at healing than some antifungals.

According to Rautemaa-Richardson, The University's new Medical Mycology master's degree provided Zain with the solid foundation she needed to come up with clinically relevant research like this one. Antimicrobial resistance continues to grow around the world so developing new approaches to managing infections is highly relevant.

While honey has been in used to treat diseases for thousands of years, not many studies have explored what it can do against pathogenic fungi. Zain's research is only the beginning of further studies on using honey for treating fungal infections, offering researchers more options to explore in addressing superficial infections.

Photo: Drew Coffman | Flickr