From the Highlands of Iraq: Chemistry Illuminates the Therapeutic Properties of the Enigmatic Hornet Honey.

A research team from the University of Sulaymaniyah in Iraqi Kurdistan discovered the possibility of using paper wasp honey to produce natural silver nanoparticles. These nanoparticles have demonstrated an effective ability to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This discovery represents a promising source for developing safe and sustainable antibiotics.

The problem of bacterial resistance to antibiotics, according to the World Health Organization’s classification, is considered an “epidemic of the era,” as this phenomenon threatens the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions and increases the complexity of infection control.

Amidst the fierce race among global laboratories to find new solutions capable of penetrating this solid bacterial defense wall, an unconventional solution may be emerging from the mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan, according to a recent study by a research team from the College of Science at the University of Sulaymaniyah published in the journal “Scientific Reports.”

The study results showed the possibility of exploiting paper wasp honey as a unique natural resource for manufacturing “silver nanoparticles” without resorting to any chemical interventions, and these particles have shown a superior ability to eradicate drug-resistant bacteria.

What is wasp honey? It is a sugary substance produced by a rare type of wasp that lives in the Middle East, specifically in Iraq, Iran, and Turkey, and is scientifically known as “Parapolybia escalerae.”

These wasps build their nests using plant fibers mixed with saliva, giving them an appearance similar to coarse paper, hence the name “paper wasps.”

Dr. Khaled Mohammed Omar, a professor in the Chemistry Department at the College of Science at the University of Sulaymaniyah and the lead researcher in the study, explained in exclusive statements to Al Jazeera Net that “unlike bees, which rely mainly on flower nectar, paper wasps derive their sugary secretions from various sources, especially the secretions found on the surface of oak leaves.”

He added: “Consequently, the chemical composition of paper wasp honey differs significantly from that of bee honey, giving it distinct chemical properties and potentially unique applications, whether as a natural product or as a source for manufacturing nanoparticles.”

Despite containing a wide range of biologically active compounds, such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, proteins, enzymes, and other effective plant substances, which can act as natural reducing and stabilizing agents during the manufacture of silver nanoparticles, its therapeutic potential has not been sufficiently explored, which prompted Dr. Omar and his team to try exploring it as a basic material in manufacturing these particles in an environmentally friendly manner.

What are silver nanoparticles? They are extremely fine particles of silver, often not exceeding 100 nanometers in diameter (i.e., about a thousand times smaller than a human hair). They are characterized by their effective properties in resisting bacteria, viruses, and fungi, which is why they are widely used in the medical, cosmetic, food packaging, and medical device fields.

Dr. Omar points out that “these particles kill bacteria through integrated mechanisms, including adhering to the bacterial cell wall and causing holes that lead to leakage of its internal contents, in addition to releasing silver ions that interact with bacterial enzymes and its DNA, stopping its growth and reproduction, as well as producing active oxygen molecules that destroy proteins and cell membranes.”

Instead of relying on traditional chemicals in the manufacture of these particles, scientists have been turning in recent years to producing them in natural or “green” ways using plant extracts or natural insect products, and this is where the idea of using paper wasp honey originated.

How is it prepared? The preparation of these particles is done through several simple steps, where the researchers began by collecting honey from paper wasp nests in the Bamo-Khoshk mountains in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, then drops of honey are mixed with a simple mixture of silver nitrate, while carefully adjusting the pH to speed up the reaction.

Over time, the color of the mixture gradually begins to change until it acquires a dark brown color, in a scene that symbolizes the beginning of the formation of silver nanoparticles.

The process did not stop at this visual transformation, but the particles were separated, purified, and heated to get rid of the remains of natural honey, then underwent a delicate stage of examination using advanced analytical devices, such as an ultraviolet spectrophotometer to confirm the formation of the particles, an X-ray diffraction device to determine their crystal structure, an electron microscope to examine their shape and size, and an infrared analysis device to detect the chemical groups associated with them.

The results showed that the particles obtained from this natural mixture were very small, with a diameter not exceeding 30 nanometers, and characterized by a pure crystal structure of silver.

A promising natural source: In the next stage, the researchers tested the killing ability of silver nanoparticles extracted from paper wasp honey against a group of dangerous types of bacteria known for their resistance to antibiotics.

The tests included Gram-positive bacteria such as “Staphylococcus aureus,” including its methicillin-resistant strain, in addition to the Gram-negative bacteria “Acinetobacter baumannii,” which is one of the most common causes of hospital infections and difficult to treat.

The results showed that the minimum dose required to kill “Staphylococcus aureus” bacteria – including its methicillin-resistant strain – was 17.5 micrograms per milliliter, while the dose required to inhibit the growth of “Acinetobacter baumannii” bacteria was less than that, not exceeding 8.5 micrograms per milliliter.

These results indicate that paper wasp honey may constitute a promising natural source for producing effective substances against drug-resistant bacteria, opening new horizons for the development of safer and more sustainable antibiotics.

Studies to assess potential toxicity: Despite the promising results, the research team did not overlook the biosafety aspect of these new particles, and Dr. Sirwan Mohsen, a professor in the Chemistry Department at the College of Science at the University of Sulaymaniyah and a researcher participating in the study, explained in statements to Al Jazeera Net that the team is currently conducting studies to assess the potential toxicity of silver nanoparticles on human cells and animal models, noting that the initial results are promising and suggest that they are safe and biocompatible.

The researcher attributes this to the fact that the particles are derived from a natural source, and that the active compounds present in paper wasp honey contribute to reducing toxicity and enhancing harmony with body tissues.

Regarding the team’s future plans, Dr. Sirwan revealed the researchers’ intention to expand the scope of the study to include other types of honey and different natural materials to produce new nanoparticles.

She added that the team is also seeking to exploit the therapeutic properties of wasp honey itself in direct medical applications, such as treating wounds, combating microbes, and delivering drugs, making this natural product a dual-benefit source for nanotechnology and biomedicine alike.

Challenges to wide application: As for the challenges that may hinder the transformation of this discovery into large-scale industrial production, the researcher explained that relying on natural materials in the manufacture of nanoparticles poses difficulties related to the variation in chemical components depending on the environment, season, and type of insect producing, which in turn affects the stability and quality of the final product.

Also, precise control of the size and shape of the particles and ensuring their stability during storage poses an additional technical challenge, in addition to the regulatory complexities associated with the use of biological materials.

However, Dr. Sirwan believes that these obstacles do not diminish the importance of the natural approach, which is characterized by being environmentally friendly, low-cost, and health-safe, making it a promising option towards sustainable and safe manufacturing of nanoparticles in the future.