Since 80’s, Professor Peter Molan has discovered that some of the Manuka flower in New Zealand is producing honey with consistently reliable antibacterial properties. He has also introduced a special test method to measure this antibacterial properties. This unknown superior antibacterial property is named as Unique Manuka Factor (UMF). This UMF® is naturally present in some strains of manuka honey, but it is not in all manuka honey and is highly sought-after for its health-giving qualities. UMF® was later registered and trademarked, and was governed by the Active Manuka Honey Association (AMHA) and can be used only by UMF® licensed users.
But later in the 90’s, New Zealand Laboratory Services Ltd admitted that there is a problem with “repeatability of results” for honey with high anti-bacteria activity levels. Thus, has concluded that the UMF test is not accurate.
As per attached newspaper announcement in Wakaito Times on Dec 3, 2008, Professor Peter Molan has announced he no longer supports the Active Manuka Honey Association (AMHA) or UMF. This announcement is doing major damage to the credibility of the UMF “brand”. Please refer to NZ Food Daily for further details.
Presently, Vistern Health is working with Manuka Health who has started their scientific research on the unique factor of Manuka honey. The major breakthrough was from Molecular Nutrition and Food Research (January, 2008). It was reported that the anti-bacterial activity which remained unknown was Dietary Methylglyoxal. This was discovered by Professor Thomas Henle of Technical University of Dresden (Germany). The MGO™ test shows a direct relationship between methylglyoxal content and antibacterial activity. Dietary Methylglyoxal forms naturally in the nectar ready for collection by the worker bees.
For further details, please refer to MGO™ Manuka
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