Honey-based gel composition

Abstract

A honey based composition is described. The composition includes a mixture of honey, a short chain fatty alcohol and a fatty ester or wax. The composition has applications for use in wound dressings and in one embodiment may be a gel. The composition has a higher than expected storage stability, remaining stable for many weeks when held at elevated temperatures and retains all of the other desirable characteristics including anti-microbial activity.

1 . A composition for treating a patient wherein the composition comprises:
 a. 70-90 wt % honey;   b. 2-10 wt % caprylyl/capryl glucoside; and   c. 2-15 wt % myristyl myristate;   
       wherein the composition has been subjected to a sterilization effective dosage of radiation and is storage stable for a time period of at least 24 hours at 40° C. 
     
     
         2 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the composition is stable for at least 8 days when stored at 40° C. 
     
     
         3 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the composition is stable for at least 21 days when stored at 40° C. 
     
     
         4 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the composition is stable for at least 15 weeks when stored at 40° C. 
     
     
         5 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a gel. 
     
     
         6 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the composition has a viscosity of 50×10 3  to 600×10 3  cPs at 25° C. 
     
     
         7 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the myristyl myristate has a melting point of about 37° C. or greater. 
     
     
         8 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the honey has both peroxide and non-peroxide activity. 
     
     
         9 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the pH is between 3.0 and 6.0 for the duration of storage. 
     
     
         10 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the pH is between 4.0 and 5.0 for the duration of storage. 
     
     
         11 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the sterilization effective dosage of radiation is greater than 10 kGy. 
     
     
         12 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the sterilization effective dosage of radiation is greater than 20 kGy. 
     
     
         13 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the sterilization effective dosage of radiation is 25 kGy. 
     
     
         14 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the composition has an antibacterial activity >10% phenol equivalent or >10 unique manuka factor activity over the shelf life. 
     
     
         15 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the honey is manuka honey. 
     
     
         16 . The composition as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the composition is stable for at least 8 days when stored at 40° C. 
     
     
         17 . The composition as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the composition is stable for at least 21 days when stored at 40° C. 
     
     
         18 . The composition as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the composition is stable for at least 15 weeks when stored at 40° C. 
     
     
         19 . The composition as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the composition has a viscosity of 50×10 3  to 600×10 3  cPs at 25° C. 
     
     
         20 . The composition as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the pH is between 4.0 and 5.0 for the duration of storage. 
     
     
         21 . A composition for treating a patient consisting essentially of:
 a. 70-90 wt % honey;   b. 2-10 wt % caprylyl/capryl glucoside; and   c. 2-15 wt % myristyl myristate;   
       wherein the composition has been subjected to a sterilization effective dosage of radiation and is storage stable for a time period of at least 24 hours at 40° C.