29/08/2025
A study led by Dr Kenya Fernandes from the University of Sydney has now demonstrated the remarkable antimicrobial properties of honey produced by three species of native Australian stingless bees: Tetragonula carbonaria, Tetragonula hockingsi, and Austroplebeia australis.
The new research reveals stingless bee honey possesses antimicrobial properties that remain effective even after heat treatment and long-term storage. These distinctive features set it apart from honey from honeybees, highlighting its potential as a sustainable, natural agent for combating drug-resistant infections.
Dr Fernandes said: “Manuka honey from honeybees displays strong non-peroxide antimicrobial activity, which is one reason why its production has been a commercial success. However, that is largely reliant on the source of its nectar from specific myrtle plants (Leptospermum).
“In contrast, the persistent antimicrobial activity of heattreated, non-peroxide honey from stingless Australian bees across diverse locations and nectar sources suggests there is something special about these bees, rather than just nectar, that plays a critical role here.”
Co-author Professor Dee Carter said: “We discovered the antimicrobial activity is consistent across all sugarbag samples tested, unlike honeybee honey, which can vary significantly based on seasonal changes and floral sources.” However, challenges remain concerning scalability. Each stingless beehive produces about half a litre of honey a year, presenting a challenge for large-scale production.
