title: Antibacterial activity of honey on cariogenic bacteria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Honey has antibacterial activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of honey on Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this in vitro study, solutions containing 0%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 50% and 100%(w/v) of natural Hamadan honey were prepared. Each blood (nutrient) agar plate was then filled with dilutions of the honey. The strains of bacteria were inoculated in blood agar for 24 hours at 37°C and were adjusted according to the McFarland scale (10×10 cfumcl(-1)). All assays were repeated 10 times for each of the honey concentrations. Data were analyzed by non parametric Chi-Square test. Statistical significance was set at α=0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant antibacterial activity was detected for honey on Streptococcus mutans in concentrations more than 20% and on Lactobacillus in 100% concentration (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It seems that antibacterial activity of honey could be used for prevention and reduction of dental caries.
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Dental Research Center, Department of Oral Medicine, Dental school, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ahmadi-Motamayel
authors.forename: Seyedeh Sare
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Hendi
authors.forename: Mohammad Yusof
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Alikhani
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Khamverdi
keywords: Antibacterial Agents; Dental Caries; Honey; Streptococcus Mutans Lactobacillus