University research has confirmed what North Coast beekepers already know – that their native jellybush honey rivals New Zealand Manuka when it comes to effective treatment for wounds and skin infections.
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The news, released by the University of Technology Sydney just before New Year, is a boon for the Australian industry, as medical-grade honey sourced from New Zealand earns $75 million a year. Australian Manuka, or Jellybush, currently returns $40/kg back to the apiarist.
Praised for its antibacterial and healing qualities, medical-grade honey – sourced from Leptospermum plants – is being increasingly used as an effective treatment for wounds and skin infections, and can kill new ‘superbugs’ that are building immunity to conventional antibiotics.
The research has been carried out at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) under the Honey Bee & Pollination R&D Program, which is funded by Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) and Horticulture Innovation Australia Ltd, with additional funding from Capilano Honey Ltd and Comvita Ltd.
Honey Bee & Pollination R&D Program spokesperson Michael Hornitzky said the findings were a game-changer for Australia’s beekeeping sector, which could see the demand and value of Australian honey increase significantly.
“There’s been a general assumption that the unique antibacterial activity found in manuka honey is more active and stable than that of other varieties,” Dr Hornitzky said.
“The paper now confirms this belief, and goes one step further by proving Australia’s Leptospermum species are just as effective, if not better, than the New Zealand varieties, based on a survey of 80 manuka-type Australian honeys.”
The UTS research team have been analysing the activity of Australian honeys for over seven years. The program builds on existing work, and involved collecting honey and flowers from beekeepers out in the field as well as testing samples in the lab.
The team believe the findings put Australian manuka honey on the international radar at a time when antibiotic resistance is recognised as a global crisis.
“These results are a huge achievement by all involved. Discovering this extensive resource base cements Australia’s role in helping to supply the growing medicinal honeymarket,” Dr Hornitzky said.
“These findings go straight to the heart of what we’re trying to achieve, and that is to grow a prosperous beekeeping sector vital for the many generations to come,” he said.
“The next step is turning the science into action. We’ll continue working with our project partners to ensure the right steps are put in place in order for beekeepers to take advantage of the new golden era for Australian honey.”
This project is also supported by collaboration with the University of the Sunshine Coast and University of Sydney.
