Abstract—Honey is known widely as a remedial agent for its wound healing, antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Enterococci, on the contrary are associated with biofilm formation on medical devices which lead to devastating infections. This study was conducted to investigate the inhibitory effect of honey on established biofilm and prevention of biofilm formation. The biofilms of Enterococcus spp. (ATCC 19433, ATCC 29212, LMG 16192 and LMG 16216) were cultivated in microtitre plates with the treatment of different types of honey (Malaysian Gelam honey and Manuka honey [UMF 10 and 15]). The estimation of biofilm biomass extension was determined by measuring absorbance at 570 nm wavelength. It was found that Manuka honey UMF 15 was the most effective in reducing established biofilm biomass as compared to Malaysian Gelam honey. Nevertheless, Malaysian Gelam honey was found to be effective in preventing biofilm formation of Enterococcus spp. as compared to Manuka honey. In brief, Malaysian Gelam honey is effective to prevent enterococcal biofilm fomation whereas Manuka honey can be recommended as a potential therapeutic agent for biofilm related enterococcal infections.

Index Terms—honey, gelam, manuka, enterococcus spp., biofilm