A. Methylglyoxal is a compound identified as the active ingredient responsible for the anti-bacterial action of Manuka honey, by Professor Thomas Henle, Head of the Institute of Food Chemistry at the Technical University of Dresden. Prof. Henle found the higher the Methylglyoxal level, the greater the anti-bacterial effect.

Q. Is there Methylglyoxal in all honeys?

A. Some honeys have no Methylglyoxal at all. Others have very low levels. Some New Zealand Manuka honeys have been found to contain Methylglyoxal levels as high as 700 mg/kg, 70 times the level of other honey.

Q. As long as it is Manuka honey, it has Methylglyoxal, right?

A. Not necessarily. Methylglyoxal is a compound present in New Zealand Manuka trees which have a short flowering period. Because of this, factors such as other plants flowering nearby, hive placement and harvest timing, can dilute Methylglyoxal levels. Correct processing of products is also crucial.

Q. How will I know if the Manuka honey I buy has enough Methylglyoxal?

A. A testing regime is planned for the Manuka Health honey in New Zealand. This will certify the level of Methylglyoxal in products for consumer guidance.  Manuka Health has a trade mark for Methylglyoxal in manuka honey - MGO™ Manuka Honey.  The number beside it would represent the level of Methylglyoxal in the honey.

Q. What do scientists know about Methylglyoxal?

A. Numerous studies have been done about the effects of Methylglyoxal using synthetically-produced Methylglyoxal (with impurities) in a laboratory, rather than how the human body responds to the naturally-occurring compound. Honey containing a high level of Methylglyoxal kills bacteria on contact (this is the basis of Manuka honey products developed especially as wound dressings). Some laboratory studies show Methylglyoxal has a cytotoxic effect (kills cancers), some show Methylglyoxal can modify DNA and proteins, and others discuss a positive effect from the formation of chemo-protective compounds. 

Q. How safe is Methylglyoxal?

A. Studies using animals have shown no toxic effects of Methylglyoxal in four species (mice, rats, rabbits and dogs). These studies showed taking Methylglyoxal orally was safe at the levels administered. The intake was equivalent to 3kgs of high testing MGO™ Manuka Honey per day on a sustained basis.

The only studies on Methylglyoxal in humans to be published in scientific journals are those by the Department of Biological Chemistry, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science Jadavpur, Kolkata, India. Professor Ray, Head of the Department says “these studies have indicated Methylgloxal is safe for consumption by cancer patients”.

Q. How safe is MGO™ Manuka Honey containing Methylglyoxal?

Methylglyoxal is known to kill bacteria and may also have an effect on other cells. Scientists agree more research is needed to understand how Methylglyoxal works as a naturally-occurring compound in food. However, MGO™ Manuka Honey has been ingested for decades by millions of people without any negative consequences becoming apparent. People with medical conditions such as diabetes must of course be careful with any honey because of its sugar content.

Professor Henle states “We always must realize that Methylglyoxal is a NATURAL compound, which has been ingested for decades, and up to now NO negative consequences are known”.

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