HERBAL-INFUSED EGYPTIAN BEE HONEY, A BOON OR A CURSE, ITS IMPACT ON SENSORIAL, PHYSICOCHEMICAL & ANTIBACTERIAL PROPERTIES

Herbal honey mixture remedies are well known for their therapeutic benefits in traditional medicine. This research aspired to assess melissopalynological, sensorial, physicochemical, & antibacterial activity for three types of honey (clover, citrus, and cucurbits) and their mixtures with black seed, date palm pollen, & wheat germ at 1, 2.5, & 5%. The best mixtures were chosen according to overall acceptability. Consumer’s preference was given to raw honey. However, some mixtures were as acceptable as raw honey. Melissopalynological analysis and lower glucose level compared to fructose are evidences that honeys are natural. Infusing herbs with different types of honey caused higher electrical conductivity, free acidity, ash, H2O2, HMF levels, and lower pH. Type of honey and herb may affect the physicochemical characteristics of honey in different ways. Honey whether used alone or in combination with the three herbs, demonstrated the same significant antibacterial effect for Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA. Inhibition zones of honey and its mixtures were lower than the control for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Most undiluted samples created larger bacterial inhibition zones than their 50% diluted counterparts. Depending on the type of honey, the herb and additive concentration, infusing herbs with honey could alter its chemical, physical, and antibacterial qualities.