Native Stingless Bees: Australian Honey and Propolis Fight Drug-Resistant Bacteria

New research from the University of Sydney reveals that honey and propolis produced by Australia's native stingless bees have potent antimicrobial properties against dangerous pathogens, including bacteria that are increasingly resistant to antibiotics. Led by Ph.D. candidate Jasmin Li, the study tested these natural products against a range of bacterial and fungal threats. The honey was effective against all bacteria tested, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae, which are notorious for causing hard-to-treat hospital infections and are listed by the World Health Organization as critical priorities for new antibiotics. This discovery is significant because antimicrobial resistance is a growing global health crisis, and novel natural compounds could lead to new treatments. The findings build on earlier research and highlight the potential of stingless bee products as a source of new antimicrobial agents. As scientists search for alternatives to failing drugs, the humble stingless bee may offer a sweet solution to a deadly problem.