Unique Manuka Factor (UMF)
The UMF or unique manuka factor is a rating system that measures the non-hydrogen peroxide antibacterial potency of manuka honey. The system has a range from 0 to 30 but typical manuka honey has a rating of 10 or more.
The higher the UMF rating is, the higher the anti-bacterial activities are. The UMF rating of manuka honey is determined by measuring the antibacterial activity of a given honey with the antibacterial activity of antiseptic phenol, also known as carbolic acid, at various concentrations. Hydrogen peroxide must first be eliminated using the enzyme catalase so that only the non-peroxide compound is measured.
The species of bacteria used is Staphylococcus aureus, also known as Golden Staph or Hospital Superbug, a strain of bacteria that poses a huge threat to people. It has a developed antibiotic resistance to penicillins including methicillin, oxacillin, amoxicillin and other antibiotics, and only manuka honey has been known to naturally destroy these bacteria. Thus, Staphylococcus aureus it is commonly used in testing of manuka honey’s antibacterial activity.
The numbers are proportional to the potency of a certain percentage of phenol. For example, a UMF rating of 10 is the same as having an antibacterial potency of 10% of phenol solution.
The higher the UMF rating is, the higher the anti-bacterial activities are. The UMF rating of manuka honey is determined by measuring the antibacterial activity of a given honey with the antibacterial activity of antiseptic phenol, also known as carbolic acid, at various concentrations. Hydrogen peroxide must first be eliminated using the enzyme catalase so that only the non-peroxide compound is measured.
The species of bacteria used is Staphylococcus aureus, also known as Golden Staph or Hospital Superbug, a strain of bacteria that poses a huge threat to people. It has a developed antibiotic resistance to penicillins including methicillin, oxacillin, amoxicillin and other antibiotics, and only manuka honey has been known to naturally destroy these bacteria. Thus, Staphylococcus aureus it is commonly used in testing of manuka honey’s antibacterial activity.
The numbers are proportional to the potency of a certain percentage of phenol. For example, a UMF rating of 10 is the same as having an antibacterial potency of 10% of phenol solution.
The UMF Ratings (measure of antibacterial strength):
- 0-4: Not detectable
- 5-9: Maintenance levels only (similar to table honey and not recommended for special therapeutic use)
- 10-15: Useful levels endorsed by the Honey Research Unit at The University of Waikato[citation needed]
- 16 and over: Superior levels with very high activity.
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