New honey standard will sweeten producer earnings

Source: http://www.nbr.co.nz
Original Article: http://www.nbr.co.nz/node/101603

April 24 2009

Waikato University’s Honey Research Unit is about to launch a new world-wide standard to test manuka honey for its unique antibacterial activity, potentially earning honey producers thousands of dollars more per drum.

Waikato University first discovered that the antibacterial properties in manuka honey are effective in healing wounds in 1982, and the new world-wide standard will be the first upgrade to testing for the properties since its inception.

The new test will provide more accurate and reliable ratings of manuka honey’s antibacterial activity, and will be launched with its own trademark.

Professor Peter Molan, who heads the internationally renowned Honey Research Unit at the university, says the existing test throws up too many variables, with many producers losing money because of the old test.

“We know of drums of honey where the margin of error has been worth more than $1000 and the honey producer has missed out on that because variables mean the rating was wrong”, says Professor Molan.

Developed over the past couple of years, the new test will eliminate those variables and guarantees the batch tested has an activity that is above the stated rating. “It’s far more accurate, far more scientific and is quicker for the producer” says Professor Moran.

The revised test will be commercially available to all honey producers who are selling genuine active manuka honey, who will now be able to credibly advertise the effectiveness of their honey which, in turn, means a wider market for consumers, says Professor Molan.

University of Waikato Vice-Chancellor Professor Roy Crawford says Professor Molan is the most experienced person in the world regarding manuka’s antibacterial properties.

“Peter created this industry – he took what was essentially a waste product - and his discovery and research have made this a $100 million a year industry.”

The test is expected to be ready in coming weeks and negotiations to licence the test to an independent registered laboratory are nearly complete. WaikatoLink (the university’s commercialisation arm) CEO Mark Stuart says the new test will be more efficient for the laboratory because the new method removes the need for repeated tests.

He says income generated from industry use of the test via a commercial laboratory will help support further research.