Manuka honey, hailed by some as a new “superfood,” has been found to curb the growth of bacterial biofilms — thin layers of microbes that build up on surfaces, including plastic — according to new research.

The findings, published online in the Journal of Clinical Pathology, suggest the honey might hold promise as an antibacterial agent for medical devices, such as urinary catheters, which carry a high infection risk.

The use of honey as a health remedy dates back centuries, and the new study adds to a growing body of research suggesting that it may have potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

For the new study, researchers from the University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, cultured strains of Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis bacteria — common causes of urinary tract infections — on plastic plates in the laboratory.

The results showed that the honey strongly inhibited the “stickiness” of the bacteria, and therefore blocked the development of a biofilm — even at very diluted concentrations.

“Our study demonstrates that diluted honey is potentially a useful agent for reducing biofilm formation on indwelling plastic devices such as urinary catheters, probably by using a periodic flushing agent,” the researchers concluded.