Purification and identification of novel antibacterial peptides isolated from Tualang honey

This study aimed to determine the role of bioactive peptides in the antibacterial activity of honey. The peptides were extracted, and the concentration was determined. The peptides were fractionated and evaluated for their antibacterial activity towards selected bacteria. The results showed high peptide content in Tualang honey 1.01 mg g−1. A total of seven essential amino acids were present in Tualang honey. The peptide mixture extracted from Tualang honey showed high antibacterial activity towards Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A total of 33 peptides were identified in the fractions 9 and 10 obtained from RP-HPLC. The identified peptides belonged to different sources including novel peptides that have no match to the protein database. The results of this first study revealed the role of the peptides generated by honeybees, nectar and pollen, and novel peptides of the natural microflora in the antibacterial activity of honey.