Multi-model evaluation of South African Fynbos honey: Bioactive stability and effects on immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, and antibiofilm activities across gastrointestinal digestion and protein isolation.
1
Anatomy, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
2
Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3027
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
South African Fynbos honey, produced by Apis mellifera capensis, is increasingly recognised for its antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, and wound-healing properties. While these bioactivities are often attributed to the phenolic content, the contribution of honey derived proteins remains underexplored. Additionally, the extent to which these bioactivities persist after gastrointestinal digestion remains under-investigated. Given the clinical relevance of bioaccessibility, this work integrates findings from three complementary studies to evaluate how simulated digestion and compound isolation influence the health-promoting properties of Fynbos honeys relative to medical-grade Manuka honey.
METHODS:
Multiple South African Fynbos honeys and comparator Manuka honeys were subjected to simulated oral, gastric, and intestinal digestion or chromatographic protein isolation. Antioxidant capacity, anti-inflammatory capacity, phenolic bioaccessibility, nitric oxide modulation, antimicrobial, antibiofilm activity, wound-healing potential, and cytotoxicity were assessed using biochemical assays, microbial (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans) and cell-based models (human intestinal (Caco-2), keratinocyte (HaCaT) and mouse macrophage (RAW 264.7) and fibroblast cells (SC-1 and L929). Results and conclusion South African Fynbos honeys demonstrated differential yet complementary bioactivities following simulated digestion or chromatographic compound isolation. Antioxidant capacity, and phenolic bioaccessibility were largely retained after gastrointestinal digestion (~68–87%; p< 0.05) while anti-inflammatory activity remained stable during oral (75-92%; p < 0.05), and gastrointestinal digestion (3-78%; p < 0.05). Fynbos honeys that were found to be protein-rich, displayed strong wound-healing, antibacterial, and immunomodulatory effects, with protein fractions showing superior NO scavenging (49-62%; p < 0.05) compared to whole honey systems. All assays were conducted using non-cytotoxic concentrations of honey and protein isolates (>80% cell viability across the tested range). Fynbos honeys maintained antibiofilm activity against Candida albicans after oral digestion (p > 0.05). Overall, bioactive stability varied among Fynbos honeys, with functional bioactivities retained across models. These findings support their therapeutic potential and align with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
South African Fynbos honey, produced by Apis mellifera capensis, is increasingly recognised for its antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, and wound-healing properties. While these bioactivities are often attributed to the phenolic content, the contribution of honey derived proteins remains underexplored. Additionally, the extent to which these bioactivities persist after gastrointestinal digestion remains under-investigated. Given the clinical relevance of bioaccessibility, this work integrates findings from three complementary studies to evaluate how simulated digestion and compound isolation influence the health-promoting properties of Fynbos honeys relative to medical-grade Manuka honey.
METHODS:
Multiple South African Fynbos honeys and comparator Manuka honeys were subjected to simulated oral, gastric, and intestinal digestion or chromatographic protein isolation. Antioxidant capacity, anti-inflammatory capacity, phenolic bioaccessibility, nitric oxide modulation, antimicrobial, antibiofilm activity, wound-healing potential, and cytotoxicity were assessed using biochemical assays, microbial (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans) and cell-based models (human intestinal (Caco-2), keratinocyte (HaCaT) and mouse macrophage (RAW 264.7) and fibroblast cells (SC-1 and L929). Results and conclusion South African Fynbos honeys demonstrated differential yet complementary bioactivities following simulated digestion or chromatographic compound isolation. Antioxidant capacity, and phenolic bioaccessibility were largely retained after gastrointestinal digestion (~68–87%; p< 0.05) while anti-inflammatory activity remained stable during oral (75-92%; p < 0.05), and gastrointestinal digestion (3-78%; p < 0.05). Fynbos honeys that were found to be protein-rich, displayed strong wound-healing, antibacterial, and immunomodulatory effects, with protein fractions showing superior NO scavenging (49-62%; p < 0.05) compared to whole honey systems. All assays were conducted using non-cytotoxic concentrations of honey and protein isolates (>80% cell viability across the tested range). Fynbos honeys maintained antibiofilm activity against Candida albicans after oral digestion (p > 0.05). Overall, bioactive stability varied among Fynbos honeys, with functional bioactivities retained across models. These findings support their therapeutic potential and align with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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