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International Journal of
Biotechnology and Microbiology
ARCHIVES
VOL. 7, ISSUE 4 (2025)
Antibacterial and synergistic effects of honey, plant extracts and Fig milk with antibiotics against bacteria isolated from skin infections
Authors
Qasim Ibrahim Abdi, Muhsin A. Essa
Abstract

This study investigated bacterial isolates from skin infections, their antibiotic resistance, and the antibacterial activity of honey, plant extracts, and fig milk, including their synergistic effects with antibiotics. Results showed that Staphylococcus was the predominant Gram-positive isolate, while Dermacoccus nishinomiyaensis and Kytococcus sedentarius were identified as opportunistic pathogens. Gram-negative isolates included Enterobacter cloacae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. All isolates exhibited multidrug resistance, with complete resistance to fusidic acid and ampicillin, but remained susceptible to levofloxacin. Honey effectively inhibited Gram-positive bacteria, and alcoholic plant extracts particularly pomegranate peel showed strong antibacterial activity, while fig milk displayed moderate effects. Synergistic assays demonstrated that natural products enhanced antibiotic efficacy, with pomegranate peel extract exhibiting the strongest synergy.

The study demonstrates that skin infections are often caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria, while natural products such as honey, pomegranate peel extracts, and fig milk exhibited antibacterial activity and enhanced the efficacy of antibiotics when combined. This suggests that such combinations represent a promising strategy to combat resistant bacteria and improve the treatment of skin infections.
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Pages:9-15
How to cite this article:
Qasim Ibrahim Abdi, Muhsin A. Essa "Antibacterial and synergistic effects of honey, plant extracts and Fig milk with antibiotics against bacteria isolated from skin infections". International Journal of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Vol 7, Issue 4, 2025, Pages 9-15
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