Scientists Develop Bee-Free Mānuka Honey With Antibacterial Properties

Researchers have created a vegan alternative to mānuka honey that replicates its potent antibacterial activity, offering a cruelty-free option for a high-value medicinal product traditionally sourced from bees.

Scientists have created a bee‑free version of mānuka honey that keeps its powerful antibacterial qualities. The new vegan alternative could replace the high‑value medicinal product without harming bees. For centuries, the Māori people of New Zealand used the mānuka tree for healing. Leaves eased upset stomachs, gum soothed respiratory problems and burns, and bark acted as a sedative for stress and anxiety. Today, many turn to mānuka honey harvested by Western honey bees, which were introduced to New Zealand by the English in the 1830s. In 2025, the mānuka honey market exceeded $426 million in value. But bee populations face threats from pollution, pesticide use, and disease. Harvesting honey raises ethical concerns about exploiting animals for profit. “Honey is made by bees for bees, and their health can be sacrificed when it is harvested by humans,” explains The Vegan Society. The organisation notes that harvesting honey does not align with veganism’s aim to exclude cruelty and exploitation. Researchers at Aston University in Birmingham, UK, have shown that a vegan honey alternative can be made by adding compounds such as methylglyoxal (MGO) and hydrogen peroxide. MGO is a key compound in mānuka honey, prized for its potent antibacterial activity. Studies suggest mānuka honey may fight difficult bacteria like Mycobacterium abscessus, which can cause dangerous lung infections. In the new study, led by Jonathan Cox, PhD, a senior lecturer in biosciences, the bioengineered vegan alternative proved effective against Mycobacterium abscessus in laboratory tests. Cox and his team will continue developing formulas to better understand the antimicrobial components of mānuka honey and how they can be incorporated into vegan products. “Longer term, this research could help support the development of sustainable honey‑inspired antimicrobial products for wound care or other topical applications, without relying on bee‑derived ingredients,” Cox said. “The work also provides insight into how natural honey functions, which may help guide the design of next‑generation antimicrobial therapies,” he added. For more plant‑based stories, read about why less meat and more plants could help solve food insecurity, how tofu beats meat, eggs, and fish as the world’s best protein, and whether humans are supposed to eat meat.

Read source: VegNews