What is Methylglyoxal?
Some scientists have reason to believe that Methylglyoxal may be one of the compounds responsible for the antibacterial action in Manuka honey. However, others believe that the Methylglyoxal level in Manuka Honey does not account for the antibacterial activity. The antibacterial activity of Manuka Honey is due to synergy between Methylglyoxal and non-antibacterial components. This synergy accounts for half or more of the UMF® activity. The antibacterial activity of Methylglyoxal is far less when it is in water than when it is in honey. It has less than half of the antibacterial activity that is seen when the same level is in Manuka Honey. This is scientific proof that the Methylglyoxal present in Manuka Honey does not account for the non-peroxide (UMF®) antibacterial activity of Manuka Honey by itself . Increased levels of Methylglyoxal only add to the base level of activity, which is why the antibacterial activity of the honey does not increase in proportion to the level of Methylglyo
