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Subject:
From:
Erik Whalen-Pedersen <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Erik Whalen-Pedersen <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Fri, 6 Oct 2006 19:44:18 -0500
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Brian Fredericksen asked "How common in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is in raw honey?"

I'd suggest "NOT" is the answer.  

Honey has actually been successfully tested in laboratory and clinical trials against P. aeruginosa and other organisms.  Honey is a low pH (high acid) as a low moisture (Low Aw, or water activity, and low RH, relative humidity -- same idea) product.  That particular combination is usually quite lethal to most bacteria of this type.  Honey has actually been tested against organisms, like P. aeruginosa, that have been isolated from human burns, diabetic skin infections, and ear infections with the results being quite positive.   (P. aeruginosa, by the way, is considered to be an antibiotic resistant organism so this is a big thing.)  

Brian Fredericksen asked if honey bees and honey would be a carrier of this bacteria. 

No, see above.

Brian Fredericksen also asked "Will heating honey destroy this bacteria.?" 

Yes, it would destroy the bacteria, but they wouldn't be in the honey in the first place.  

Brian Fredericksen also asked about the "other" substances in honey.

There are small amounts of hydrogen peroxide (from action of the carbohydrate oxidase enzymes) as well as the other enzymes and reaction products from these enzymes as well as other substances found in honey.  These could clearly be a factor in addition to the aforementioned properties of honey.

Erik




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