Would you like to find out more about the special Methylglyoxal in Manuka honey?

What MGO is in Manuka Honey & how it determines its quality

Manuka honey is known for its powerful properties, with MGO being the most important active ingredient. This quantifiable measurement is performed exclusively by an International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ) accredited laboratory and serves as a reliable assessment system to determine the quality and purity of New Zealand manuka honey.

The properties of 'regular' honey have been extensively researched, revealing its remarkable capabilities. The benefits of pure raw honey are undeniable, regardless of its origin, thanks to the varying amounts of the enzyme glucose oxidase (GOE) it contains. This enzyme catalyses the oxidation of glucose to hydrogen peroxide, which has an antibacterial effect in the presence of oxygen and glucose. Therefore, the antiseptic properties of hydrogen peroxide are effectively released at the sites of infection when treating minor infections. This process inhibits and kills bacteria without damaging body tissue.

However, Manuka honey is unique in that, in addition to the hydrogen peroxide activity (PA) present in all raw honey, it also contains a special compound known as "non-peroxidising activity" (NPA); the sugar breakdown product methylglyoxal (MGO). This is produced in the honeycomb by dehydration of the substance dihydroxyacetone (DHA), which occurs naturally in the nectar of South Sea myrtle flowers.
For this reason, Manuka honey is also known as "active".

The cause of this "non-peroxide activity" (NPA) in Manuka honey was not known for many years. Then in 2006, a German scientist, Professor Thomas Henle from the University of Dresden, demonstrated for the first time in his research that the antimicrobial "non-peroxide activity" (NPA) of Manuka honey is closely linked to the unique properties of Manuka.

At Totika Nature, we believe that only New Zealand Manuka honey has been proven to contain high and stable levels of MGO, which is known to have a powerful bee effect and has brought Manuka honey worldwide attention.

The figure stated on the Manuka Honey label (below), MGO 1050+, is the measure in mg per kilogram of the key ingredient methylglyoxal, which contributes to the particular potency of Manuka Honey. The number in brackets (23+) is the corresponding special activity level in another measure (NPA or UMF).

Now you want to know more about the certificates and the authenticity test? Just klick Here