Phenolic profiling, synergistic antibacterial and antioxidant potentials of various honey combinations: in vitro and in silico study

Abstract

Abstract This study investigated the synergistic interactions within binary combinations of ten Algerian honey samples, focusing on their phytochemical profiles and bioactivities. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) profiling identified 22 phenolic compounds, with quinic acid, gallic acid, naringenin, and acacetin predominant across samples. The antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP) and antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) , Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) , and Escherichia coli (E. coli) were evaluated using both in vitro assays and in silico molecular docking. Results revealed significant synergistic effects; specifically, combinations involving Bunium mauritanicum honey (M3) exhibited superior antioxidant capacity, while samples M 2 , M 5 , and M 8 showed enhanced antibacterial efficacy. Molecular docking confirmed strong interactions between major phenolics and target protein active sites, which yielded favorable binding scores. These findings highlight the enhanced therapeutic as well as nutritional potential of Algerian honey combinations as potent natural sources of synergistic bioactive compounds.