MGO vs UMF

MGO and  UMF Ratings Explained

If you have been trying to assess the strength of Manuka Honey products, you may have noticed two different labels on the honey containers. One being UMF, the other MGO. 

MGO ratings refer to the level of Methyglyoxal in the honey. Methyglyoxal is a marker of Manuka honey but it does not cause the non-peroxide activity.

UMF is an internationally registered trademark that can be used only by licensed users who meet set criteria which include auditing and monitoring to ensure the product is natural, unadulterated, Manuka honey that has the unique non-peroxide antibacterial activity and is true-to-label claim. 

All types of honey have a very mild antiseptic property because they contain hydrogen peroxide. It is only Manuka Honey that has the additional and more powerful antibacterial property. 

Here is a quick outline of both UMF and MGO plus a summary:

 

MGO

The discovery of the active ingredient "Methylglyoxal" in Manuka Honey was made by Professor Thomas Henle from the Institute of Food Chemistry at the Technical University of Dresden in Germany. Research state that the higher the MGO rating in Manuka honey the higher the level of anti-bacterial activity in the honey. 

Methylglyoxal is a compound found in the pollen of the Manuka tree's flowers. This tree, a Australia and New Zealand native has a short flowering period which makes the placement of hives and the timing of the harvest crucial. If done correctly, the Methylglyoxal present in the maunka honey will be much higher. 

Manuka honey is uniquely special and different to other honeys because the special compound, Methylglyoxal. It remains stable and is resistant to heat, light and enzymatic activity in body fluids. Every honey has some anti-bacterial qualities, this however, quickly disappears when subjected to the body conditions such as heat at body temperature of 37oC; whereas Manuka Honey’s Methylglyoxal would remain stable regardless, this phenomenon makes MGO Manuka Honey superior to other honeys.

MGO system is very easy to understand, for instance, MGO 20+ Manuka Honey means that honey contains 20mg per kg of Methylglyoxal, MGO™ 120+ Manuka Honey contains 120mg per kg of Methylglyoxal and so on.

The ideal MGO rating varies depending on your purpose, but laboratory studies have shown that manuka honey with a MGO250+  to MGO400+ is effective against a wide range of very resistant bacteria.


UMF®

UMF is stands for 'Unique Manuka Factor'. After Dr. Peter Molan, a Senior Lecturer at the Waikato University in New Zealand, discovered the additional antibacterial property in Manuka Honey, the UMF rating system was developed to measure the activity level of Manuka Honeys. 

Rather than measuring the methylglyoxal content like the MGO methodology, the UMF rating actually tests the antibacterial performance of a honey and compares it to phenol, a disinfectant. The Active Manuka Honey Association(AMHA) that does the testing states: 

"The presence of the special non-peroxide activity can be detected only by an array of scientific testing directly relating to the phenol standard. The rating has a one-to-one relationship to the phenol standard. " This means that a UMF rating of 20+ is equivalent in strength to a 20% solution of phenol. Manuka Honey is independently tested in an accredited laboratory for its antibacterial UMF®. All Manuka Honey that has a UMF rating of more than 10 is highly active honey and therefore known as Active Manuka Honey. 

Honeylife Manuka Honey are tested at independent laboratory to determine the level of MGO in each batch.

 

Summary of UMF vs MGO Manuka Honey

UMF and MGO ratings are both used to indicate the antibacterial strength of Manuka Honey. UMF and MGO measure the strength of Manuka honey in different ways, however there is a relationship between the level of Methylglyoxal and the Non Perocide Activity.


Guide in using different MGO and UMF strength:


• Manuka Honey MGO 30+ = UMF®7+

  Maintain well-being and improve general digestive health.

• Manuka Honey MGO 120+ = UMF®10+

  Relief of indigestion and stomach upset.

• Manuka Honey MGO 250+ = UMF®15+

  Relief of more pronounced disturbances of the digestive system.

• Manuka Honey MGO 400+ = UMF®20+

  Strong, fast-acting antibacterial and healing action.

 


Manuka Honey Health Benefits:

• Supports respiratory health
• Remedy for dyspepsia (indigestion)
• Reduce cough frequency
• Traditionally used for its sedative and soporific properties
• Aid for sleep and calming
• Has antioxidant action
• Helps to protect cells from the damaging effect of free radicals

 

Topical Benefits: (MGO 120+ or above is recommended for topical use)

• Help healing of minor wounds (cuts, scratches, abrasions)
• Aid in wound healing by providing:
   - a moist wound-healing environment
   - a protective barrier between the dressing and the wound
• Symptomatic relief of minor burns

  Honeylife Manuka Honey are tested at independent laboratory to determine the level of MGO in each batch.