Methylglyoxal Rating Regime
Methylglyoxal Testing
- Methylglyoxal measurement is a recent development, based on the discovery in 2006 that the naturally-occurring compound Methyglyoxal is the dominant anti-bacterial constituent in Manuka honey from New Zealand.
- The test for Methyglyoxal concentration uses highly-accurate and automated HPLC laboratory analysis.
- Methylglyoxal levels have been quoted in numerous scientific papers, particularly those discussing research into natural alternatives to synthetic antibiotics and tumourcidal agents (anti-cancer drugs).
- Consumer acceptance of Methylglyoxal based certification system for Manuka Honey has been widespread since its introduction.
- The only company to market manuka honey with certified levels of Methyglyoxal, offers products with a concentration of more than 100 mg/kg, the minimum necessary to kill all major bacteria types.
- The equivalent antibacterial rating is 10%. However, lots of products marketed under labels such as Active, Bio-active - or even fake manuka honey - have no accurate testing regime to support their health claims. Methylglyoxal tests on a range of such products has found levels between 10 to 25 mg/kg, well short of the concentration required for anti-bacterial effectiveness.
Methylglyoxal Testing consumer's guide:
| Comparison |
Methylglyoxal Measurement |
Antibacterial Testing |
| When developed |
2007 |
Mid-1990s |
| Basis of test |
Concentration of the dominant anti-bacterial constituent (Methylglyoxal) |
Comparisons with a common disinfectant (phenol) |
| Measurement method |
HPLC analysis |
Agar diffusion assay |
| Accuracy |
<2% |
highly variable |
| Minimum anti-bacterial level |
MGO 100 |
10+ |
| Relevance to benefits |
Methylglyoxal levels quoted in scientific research |
Not quoted in scientific research |
| Understandability and acceptance |
The concept of an active ingredient is well-understood and accepted |
consumers do not understand the difference between hydrogen peroxide and non hydrogen peroxide tests, leading to proliferation of brands using hydrogen peroxide as the basis for activity claims from honey with no genuine antibacterial activity |
|
