Exploring the antimicrobial potential of honey from Montes del Queguay

In Uruguay, most of the honey produced is destined for bulk export and lacks differentiation. This lack of appreciation for the specific characteristics of locally produced honey results in lower prices compared to other countries. Therefore, research is crucial to identify honeys with distinctive attributes in our country. In the Montes del Queguay region (Paysandú, Uruguay) numerous beekeepers strive to produce pure forest honey with unique properties, taking advantage of the area's unique conditions and natural environment. This work focuses on investigating the antimicrobial potential of honey from Montes del Queguay as well as the possible relationship between antimicrobial activity and the various components and characteristics of the honey, such as free acidity, pH, color, hydrogen peroxide production, phenolic compounds, among others. Samples collected during 2022 and 2023 were analyzed through melissopalynology to determine their floral origin, physicochemical parameters were studied, and total phenolic content was quantified. These results were compared using multivariate analysis. Antimicrobial activity was assessed, determining the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538P, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15422, and Candida albicans ATCC 101231. The results highlight honeys from native species such as Scutia buxifolia, Blepharocalyx salicifolius, and Terminalia australis, which exhibited high total phenolic concentrations, exceeding 840 mg gallic acid/kg, and demonstrated bacteriostatic activity in all evaluations and bactericidal activity against at least two strains. These results are promising for contributing to the valuation of native flora honeys produced in Uruguay through the characterization of their chemical composition and antimicrobial potential.