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Why is it that honey can last for decades and not spoil like other foods? Is there any chemical in honey which gives rise to this amazing feat?

J. Musser
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user4147
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    see http://biology.stackexchange.com/questions/19744/sugar-as-a-defence-against-bacteria – Alan Boyd Jul 17 '14 at 17:05
  • Based on Alan Boyd's link I think this is a dupe. – daniel Jul 18 '14 at 12:36
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    One reason is that sugar has a pH of 7, while honey has a pH of 3.26 to 4.48, a killing field for bacteria. Also, bees process honey by means of an enzyme called glucose oxidase, AKA 'Penicillin A' (formerly) or 'Notatin', which reduces atmospheric O2 to H2O2 (Hydrogen peroxide), forming an antimicrobial barrier on the honey surface. Also, bacteria become desiccated in honey because of the hygroscopic effects of the sugar (mostly supersaturated in honey). Basically, related, but not a duplicate question. – J. Musser Jul 20 '14 at 03:55
  • @daniel pls reopen the post. as J. Musser mentioned, it's definitely not a duplicate. – A. Steiner Dec 04 '16 at 14:56

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