In Vitro Comparison of the Absorbency Capacity of Four Medical Grade Manuka Honey Dressings

Clinical evidence has shown that medical grade honey provides a moist wound healing environment for the promotion of autolytic debridement. Honey’s high osmotic pressure gradient promotes the body’s natural processes to clear necrotic tissue, which is then transferred as exudate to an absorbent dressing. Therefore, a novel medical grade Manuka honey impregnated foam dressing indicated for moderately to heavily draining wounds was developed because it promotes autolytic debridement while absorbing wound exudate. The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the absorptive capacity of a honey hydrocolloid dressing*, a honey calcium alginate dressing^, a honey sheet^#, and a honey foam dressing**

The free swell absorptive capacity of a four Manuka honey based wound dressings was evaluated per BS EN 13726-1, intended to assess the performance of dressings, typically used on moderately to heavily exuding wounds. Per the standard, the total absorptive capacity in the presence of excess liquid and in the absence of an applied load was measured. All the dressings, except the honey sheet, are indicated for use on moderately to heavily draining wounds. A sample size of 10 per test group was used. The dressings weighed before and after being placed into a 37˚C solution with an iconic composition comparable to wound exudate for 30 minutes.

Both the honey calcium alginate dressing and honey sheet reported negative absorptive values (-1.80±1.77 g/100cm² and -2.50±0.54 g/100cm²), which was likely due to the dissolution of honey into the test solution.  The honey hydrocolloid dressing dissolved in the test solution. The honey foam dressing had an absorbency value of 30.60±2.15 g/100cm², which may indicate greater efficiency in wound exudate absorption. Further studies are warranted.