Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pyoverdines: A Hidden Threat in Apitherapy Applications

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a Gram-negative rod-shape bacterium, is one of the most common pathogens in nosocomial infections and this pathogenic species draws attention with its high prevalence rate in patients with septicemia. Pyoverdines are fluorescent siderophore produced by some Pseudomonas species such as P. aeruginosa and Pseudomonas fluorescens. These siderophores support biofilm production in these microorganisms and also plays a role as a virulence factor. In this study, anti-Pseudomonas activity of 10 different honey samples was evaluated by agar well diffusion (AWD) method. In addition, minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of these honey samples were determined via microbroth dilution method. The obtained results showed that only oak honey and chestnut honey have negligible scale low anti-Pseudomonas activity. In addition, it was observed that other honey samples did not have an inhibitory effect against these pathogens. Finally, the promoting property of pyoverdine siderophore production of these honey samples was evaluated and it was concluded that all honey samples stimulated pyoverdin production at a concentration ½ w/v.