The botanical sources, entomological proteome and antibiotic properties of wild honey.

We hypothesize that the wild honey (Apis dorsata honey (ADH), A. florea honey, A. laboriosa honey and A. andreniformis honey) had high antibacterial activity to defend against degradation. The entomological proteins, botanical sources and antibacterial activities of wild honey were determined via a label-free proteome, DNA metabarcoding and agar well diffusion assay. The results showed that there were significant differences among physico-chemical properties, proteins and plant sources of honey samples from different honey bee species. All the honey samples diluted to a 90% moisture content inhibited Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis with the exception of 90% ADH. Honey solutions inhibited Chromobacterium violaceum , with exception of ADH and some other species honey with different moisture contents. The differences in antibacterial activity were attributed to differences in the botanical sources, entomological proteins of the honey. The species-specific proteins in honey from each species can be used for their identification • Wild honey from different species have different physico-chemical properties. • There were species-specific proteins in honey produced by different species honey bee. • Botanical sources of honey from the same species, time and location varied. • Wild honey diluted to a 90% water content inhibited bacteria with some exceptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]