Developing a unique medical-grade honey which maximizes glucose oxidase activity

Abstract

In the fight against cancer and infection, honey is a compelling solution by virtue of its unique chemical composition; however, current medical-grade honeys are expensive and limited in their scope. In this study, a novel medical-grade honey was developed by maximizing the activity of glucose oxidase (GOX), an enzyme in honey that synthesizes hydrogen peroxide; maximization was done by neutralizing the effects of catalase and methylglyoxal (MGO), compounds in honey that interfere with H2O2 accumulation. Expressed GOX activity was quantified via H2O2 accumulation in honey after catalase, MGO, or both were inhibited. Results indicate the honeys tested have significant quantities of H2O2 inhibitors, greatly affecting expressed GOX activity; neutralization resulted in at least a 100% increase in H2O2 accumulation in all honeys. Blueberry honey with catalase inhibition by EGCG saw a 938% increase in H2O2 accumulation, reaching nearly three times the H2O2 accumulation in current medical grade honey for a tenth of the cost. This research presents a novel and readily reproducible method for maximizing H2O2 accumulation in any honey through neutralization of GOX inhibitors. GOX activity enhancement, combined with honeys diverse antioxidants, enables the emergence of global low-cost medical-grade honeys with immense potential to revolutionize cancer and infection treatment.\n\nThis paper is based on work presented at the Regional Science and Engineering Fair on March 15, 2018 at Riverside High School (Loudoun County, Virginia), the Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair on April 14, 2018 at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (Roanoke, Virginia).\n\nAuthor SummaryWith cancer and post-operative infections on the rise, a natural, low-cost alternative treatment is necessary. Honey is an ideal candidate due to its diverse antioxidants and glucose oxidase, an enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide. The purpose of this research was to maximize glucose oxidase activity by neutralizing compounds that interfere with H2O2 accumulation. This research yielded medical-grade honeys that are economical and more effective than current ones, presenting a novel method that is reproducible on a large scale, scalable to different needs, and applicable to any honey to create low-cost medical-grade honeys that can revolutionize cancer and infection treatment globally.