That’s according to a new report led by University of Technology Sydney Professor Liz Harry, in conjunction with researchers from the University of Sydney and University of the Sunshine Coast.
Funded by the AgriFutures™ Honey Bee & Pollination Program, Professor Harry, Director of the UTS ithree institute, and the collaborative research team tested more than 5000 honey samples and 2000 nectar samples, covering more than 50 species of Leptospermum.
Praised for its antibacterial and healing properties, medical-grade honey sourced from Leptospermum plants has become a modern treatment for wounds and skin infections.
The latest study found at least seven Australian Leptospermum species produced medical-grade honey with exceptionally high antibacterial activity and many other Leptospermum species that produced honeys with therapeutically beneficial activity, as well as others that would fall under high-value premium table honeys.
University of Technology Sydney Research Associate Dr Nural Cokcetin said the research pinpointed several Australian regions, such as south-east Queensland, northern New South Wales and western Tasmania, as ‘hot spots’ to yield these high value honeys.
“Australia has 84 of the 87 species of Leptospermum. Yet before this study, the antimicrobial activity of our Leptospermum species was almost unknown, both locally and globally,” said Dr Cokcetin.
“The research puts Australian honey producers on the world stage, positioning them as a leading and potentially abundant source of medical grade and high-value Leptospermum honey.”
The report found that specific chemical components relating to antibacterial activity of several Australian Leptospermum honeys was similar to that of its Manuka counterpart in New Zealand.
It also discovered that appropriate storage conditions of Australian Leptospermum honey was vital to reach its full potential, and outlined key differences between anti-fungal and antibacterial traits.
