What Makes a Honey Bioactive? The Science Behind Active Honey
Bioactive honey is honey with measurable biological activity beyond basic nutrition — specifically, antimicrobial activity that has been independently tested and verified. This activity comes from compounds like hydrogen peroxide, methylglyoxal (MGO), phenolic acids, and prebiotics. Not all honey has it. Jarrah honey from Western Australia is the most bioactive Australian honey, with a dual antimicrobial mechanism that Manuka honey does not share.
Key Points
- Bioactive means measurable biological activity, not just a marketing term
- Honey's antimicrobial activity comes from two main systems: hydrogen peroxide (PA) and non-peroxide activity (NPA/MGO)
- Jarrah honey has both — making it uniquely "dual antimicrobial" among premium honeys
- The TA (Total Activity) system measures combined antimicrobial activity; MGO and UMF systems measure NPA only
- 5 independent laboratory tests per batch is the Forest Fresh standard for verifying bioactivity
"Bioactive honey" is a phrase you will see on premium honey labels. Like most terms that travel from scientific journals to supermarket shelves, it can lose precision along the way. Some producers use it as a loose marketing phrase. Others — including the best WA producers — use it to mean something very specific and verifiable.
Understanding what bioactivity actually means in honey, where it comes from, and how it is measured is the difference between buying with confidence and paying a premium for a label.
What Does Bioactive Actually Mean?
The word "bioactive" means a substance has a measurable effect on living biological systems — activity beyond simply providing nutrition.
For honey, bioactivity is most precisely defined as antimicrobial activity: the ability of the honey to inhibit the growth of bacteria, fungi, or other microorganisms in laboratory conditions. This is measurable. It is tested in standardised laboratory conditions and expressed as a numerical rating.
The key distinction from ordinary honey is that bioactive honey's activity is: 1. Measurable — expressed as a numerical value (TA, MGO, or UMF) 2. Independently verified — tested by an accredited laboratory, not self-reported 3. Consistent — maintained across batches through careful handling and storage
A honey that is labelled bioactive but carries no independent rating or certificate of analysis is making an unverifiable claim.
The Sources of Honey's Bioactivity
Multiple compounds contribute to honey's antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. Understanding them helps explain why some honeys are dramatically more bioactive than others.
Hydrogen Peroxide Activity (Peroxide Activity / PA)
When honey is diluted — for example, on a wound surface or in a moist environment — an enzyme called glucose oxidase catalyses a reaction that produces hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is a well-known antimicrobial agent. This hydrogen peroxide activity (PA) is present in most raw honeys, including Jarrah, and is why raw honey has historically been used on wounds and infections.
Crucially, PA is destroyed by heat. Pasteurised honey has little or no peroxide activity. This is one of the core arguments for only ever buying raw honey.
Research by Irish, Blair, and Carter (2011), published in PLOS ONE, documented the antibacterial activity of WA honeys and confirmed the hydrogen peroxide mechanism as a key contributor.
Non-Peroxide Activity (NPA) — Methylglyoxal (MGO)
Some honeys have antimicrobial activity that persists even when hydrogen peroxide is neutralised by catalase — an enzyme present on wound surfaces and in the body. This non-peroxide activity (NPA) is the signature property of Manuka honey, driven primarily by methylglyoxal (MGO).
MGO is formed from dihydroxyacetone (DHA), a compound concentrated in Manuka nectar. Manuka's MGO content — and the NPA derived from it — is what the UMF (Unique Manuka Factor) and MGO rating systems measure.
Jarrah honey also has significant NPA alongside its PA — the combination is what makes it "dual antimicrobial."
Phenolic Compounds and Antioxidants
Honey contains a range of flavonoids and phenolic acids derived from plant nectar, propolis, and pollen. These compounds contribute antioxidant activity and, in some cases, antimicrobial properties through separate mechanisms from hydrogen peroxide or MGO.
Independent research (Pavy & Dragar, 2011) found Jarrah honey contains approximately 3 times the antioxidant content of Manuka honey. A 2023 study by Hossain and Locher confirmed that WA honeys "at times exceeded NZ Manuka honey" in antioxidant activity. Antioxidant compounds are also heat-sensitive, reinforcing the importance of raw processing.
Prebiotic Compounds
Bioactive honey also contains oligosaccharides and other minor carbohydrates that research suggests may function as prebiotics — supporting beneficial gut bacteria. A 2022 study by Schell et al. in Frontiers in Nutrition specifically tested Jarrah honey as a prebiotic and confirmed its potential in this area.
The Rating Systems: TA, MGO, and UMF Explained
Three main systems are used globally to rate honey bioactivity:
| System | Measures | Used for | Covers PA? |
|---|---|---|---|
| TA (Total Activity) | Combined PA + NPA | Australian honeys, especially Jarrah | Yes |
| MGO | Methylglyoxal concentration | Manuka honey | No |
| UMF | Non-peroxide activity (via agar diffusion) | Manuka honey | No |
The critical point: MGO and UMF only measure non-peroxide activity. They are calibrated to Manuka's primary mechanism. When applied to a honey like Jarrah — which has significant peroxide activity — they undercount total bioactivity.
The TA system measures the full antimicrobial activity of the honey, combining both PA and NPA. This is the appropriate system for dual antimicrobial honeys. A TA50+ honey like Forest Fresh Jarrah Platinum has a total measured activity of 50 or above — equivalent to MGO 4000+ in Manuka terms when adjusting for the contribution of both systems.
This is not a theoretical distinction. It means comparing a TA50+ Jarrah honey directly to a MGO 400+ Manuka honey is comparing different measurement systems for different biological mechanisms. The Jarrah may have substantially more combined activity.
Jarrah as the Most Bioactive Australian Honey
Among the WA native honeys that have been studied, Jarrah honey stands out for several converging reasons:
- Dual antimicrobial — both PA and NPA, unlike Manuka which relies primarily on NPA
- High antioxidant content — independently confirmed at 3x Manuka
- Prebiotic potential — specifically studied and confirmed in peer-reviewed research
- Low GI — independently tested, lower than most other honeys
- Authentic rarity — Jarrah trees flower every 2–4 years, concentrating nutrients
Forest Fresh Honey validates every batch across 5 independent laboratory tests, covering TA rating, pollen markers, sugar profile, moisture content, and chemical authentication. This is what the Jarrah Factor™ represents: not just a claim, but a layered verification process.
The Jarrah Platinum TA50+ is the highest-tested product in our range — TA50+ confirms a minimum total antimicrobial activity of 50, independently measured.
🍯 Jarrah Platinum TA50+ — dual antimicrobial, 5-lab validated, raw and enzyme-rich. Shop Jarrah Platinum TA50+
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does TA50 mean in honey? A: TA stands for Total Activity — a measure of the combined antimicrobial activity of honey, including both hydrogen peroxide activity and non-peroxide activity. TA50+ means the honey has a total measured activity rating of 50 or above, as confirmed by independent laboratory testing. This is equivalent to MGO 4000+ in Manuka terms.
Q: Is bioactive honey the same as active honey? A: Yes — "bioactive" and "active" honey refer to the same thing in the context of premium honey: honey with a measurable, independently verified antimicrobial activity rating. "Bioactive" is the more scientifically precise term. A honey claiming to be active should have a TA, UMF, or MGO rating to back the claim.
Q: How do you know if honey is genuinely bioactive? A: Look for an independent laboratory-tested activity rating on the label — TA, UMF, or MGO. The honey producer should be able to provide a certificate of analysis (COA) from an accredited laboratory. Claims without testing evidence are marketing, not bioactivity.
Q: Can honey lose its bioactivity over time? A: Yes. Hydrogen peroxide activity in particular is sensitive to heat, light, and prolonged storage. Raw honey stored in a cool, dark place will retain its bioactivity significantly better than honey stored in warm or light conditions. Always check best-before dates and storage instructions.
Q: Is Jarrah honey more bioactive than Manuka? A: Independent research (Hossain & Locher, 2023) found WA honeys including Jarrah "at times exceeded NZ Manuka honey" in antibacterial and antioxidant activity. High-grade Jarrah also has dual antimicrobial activity (PA + NPA), while Manuka relies primarily on NPA/MGO. On a combined total activity basis, high-grade Jarrah compares very favourably with high-grade Manuka.
Q: What is the difference between MGO and TA? A: MGO measures the concentration of methylglyoxal in honey — the compound responsible for non-peroxide activity in Manuka honey. TA (Total Activity) measures the combined antimicrobial effect of all mechanisms, including both hydrogen peroxide activity and non-peroxide activity. TA is a more complete measure for dual antimicrobial honeys like Jarrah.
Q: Does cooking destroy bioactivity in honey? A: Yes. Heat above approximately 40°C begins to deactivate glucose oxidase and reduce antioxidant content. For maximum bioactivity, raw honey should be consumed unheated — stirred into warm (not boiling) food or drinks, or taken directly from the spoon.
Q: What makes WA honey special compared to eastern Australian honey? A: Western Australia's native forest flora — particularly Jarrah, Marri, Karri, and Banksia — produces nectar with very high concentrations of bioactive compounds. WA also remains Varroa mite-free, meaning bee health is not compromised by the widespread mite infestations that affect eastern Australian and global bee populations. These factors combine to make WA honey among the most studied and validated bioactive honeys in the world.
The information in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. Please consult your healthcare professional before using honey as part of a health or medical regimen. Forest Fresh Honey products are food products, not medicines. Not suitable for children under 12 months. These statements are based on traditional use and emerging scientific research.
Written by Matt Fewster, 5th generation of the Fewster family and co-founder of Forest Fresh Honey.
Sources: - Irish, Blair, Carter (2011). Antibacterial activity of WA honey. PLOS ONE — https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0018229 - Hossain & Locher (2023). WA honey antioxidant/antibacterial. Applied Sciences — https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/13/7440 - Pavy & Dragar (2011). Antioxidants in Jarrah honey. WA Jarrah Honey Committee — https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/35350b70-4b13-4876-abd6-b146f468c4e8/downloads/media-release%20on%20antioxidant%20of%20jarrah%20honey.pdf - Schell et al. (2022). Jarrah honey prebiotic. Frontiers in Nutrition — https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9367972/ - Manning, Dr Rob (2011). WA honey antibacterial. WA DPIRD — https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/pubns/39/
Related reading: Types of Honey in Australia: Your Complete Guide