Antibacterial activity of raw honey from Rulindo district, Rwanda against staphylococcus Aureus and Escherichia coli

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the antibacterial activity of raw honey from northern Rwanda against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli strains. The antibacterial activity was evaluated using modified Kirby-Bauer Agar well diffusion methods. The MBC and MIC were established using two folds serial dilution methods respectively. The sensitivity exhibited by the honey sample against the two microorganisms was on average of 13.5mm and 16.5mm for E. coli and staphylococcus aureus respectively. The honey sample used showed significant inhibition against both bacterial species. The MICs of the bacterial species were 0.25µl/ml and 0.5µl/ml for S. aureus and E. coli respectively. The MBC value of raw honey sample used was 0.5 µl/ml for both microorganisms used. The result from this study shown that S.aureus was very sensitive to raw honey while E.coli was least sensitive to the honey sample used. From the study, it was concluded that raw honey has antibacterial activity against staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli species and it can be used in wound management.