Jarrah Honey vs Manuka: Lab Results & Science

From the Forest. Not a Factory.

Independent laboratory testing · ISO/IEC 17025 accredited · Published by batch

The forest produced it.
The laboratory confirmed it.
We published both.

Australian Wildflower does not make claims it cannot support with independently verified data. Every bioactive property attributed to our honeys – antimicrobial activity, antioxidant concentration, glycaemic index, probiotic benefit – is measured by ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories and the results are published on a per-batch basis in a Independent Testing Summary available to download.

This page explains what those measurements mean, how they are obtained, and why the numbers from the Southwest Australia Biodiversity Hotspot are categorically different from what the global honey market currently offers. The documents are at the Transparency Hub. This page is the context that makes them legible.

TA53.8

Phenol equivalence

Jarrah TA35+
ALS New Zealand

473

mg AAE/kg antioxidant

Jarrah TA35+
20X above average

GI 52

Glycaemic Index

Jarrah TA35+
low GI classification

0.91

Probiotic Index

Jarrah TA35+
probiotic benefit

Total Activity - what it means

TA is not a marketing rating.
It is a phenol equivalence measurement.

Total Activity measures antimicrobial potency in honey, expressed as phenol equivalence: the concentration of a phenol solution that would produce the same antibacterial effect as the honey being tested. A TA of 35 means the honey performs at the same antimicrobial level as a 35% phenol solution.

We test every batch twice, through two independent laboratories using two independent methods. ALS New Zealand runs the inhibition zone assay against Staphylococcus aureus — the same method used to certify Manuka’s UMF™ rating. Y-Trace runs a separate OD600 microplate broth microdilution assay. Both confirm our Jarrah clears the TA35+ threshold.

Our Jarrah has, in fact, returned an ALS reading of 53.8. We don’t put that number on the label.

Not because the honey doesn’t perform that way, on that assay, on that day. It’s because above ~TA35, the phenol assay’s own calibration curve runs out of reference points to compare against — even Australia’s National Measurement Institute won’t certify a specific figure past that line, capping its own reports at “>35% Total Activity.” We hold our label to the same ceiling the national authority holds itself to. TA35+ is the highest number an accredited body will put its name to in writing, so it’s the highest number we’ll put on a jar.

Read the full explanation of TA ratings →

Antioxidant activity - what 473 mg AAE/kg actually means

Antioxidant activity is measured, not claimed.
The method matters.

Antioxidant activity is measured using the DPPH radical scavenging assay – a standardised method quantifying the ability of a substance to neutralise free radicals. Results are expressed as milligrams of ascorbic acid equivalent per kilogram (mg AAE/kg): the weight of Vitamin C that would achieve the same antioxidant effect.

Average raw honey tests at approximately 50 – 300 mg AAE/kg. Jarrah TA35+ measures 473 mg AAE/kg. Dwutta TA35+ measures 442 mg AAE/kg.

The difference is an order of magnitude. It reflects the botanical diversity of the Southwest Biodiversity Hotspot – antioxidant compounds in honey derive from the polyphenols in the nectar of the flowers bees forage. A foraging environment with 12,000 wildflower species, 75% of which exist nowhere else on earth, produces a polyphenol profile that cannot be manufactured. It is what the forest produces – and what the laboratory confirms.

Beyond antimicrobial - the full bioactive profile

Six distinct bioactive properties.
Science endorsing traditional knowledge.

The Independent Testing Summary for Jarrah covers bioactive properties across six dimensions – each investigated, studied and measured by an Australian university using a named methodology. These are not claims. They are published results.

GI 52

Low Glycaemic Index

Classified low GI - suitable for diabetic and low-sugar dietary requirements. Jarrah's fructose-dominant composition and active enzyme profile slow glucose metabolism relative to most honeys and refined sugars.

University of Sydney — SUGiRS (blood glucose response test)

0.91

Probiotic Index

An index of 1.0 is equivalent to pharmaceutical probiotic inulin. It is highly effective at nourishing beneficial gut bacteria. Jarrah honey measures 0.91. This property is preserved through our supply chain storage.

University of New South Wales (gut microbiome benefit assay)

40 - 90%

Anti-biofilm reduction

Biofilms are protective communities formed by bacteria which make infections significantly more resistant to treatment. Jarrah disrupts both the formation and stability of these biofilms. Applications in wound care.

University of Sydney (crystal violet inhibition assay)

50.58

mg GAE/100g phenolic content

Phenolics are major contributors to honey’s antioxidant capacity and play a role in its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. These levels are high relative to other honeys and add to its overall bioactivity.

University of Western Australia (Folin-Ciocalteu assay)

39.3

mg quercetin eq./kg flavonoid content

Flavonoids are a key class of plant-derived polyphenols with established antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. These levels are high relative to other honeys and add to its overall bioactivity.

University of Western Australia (AlCl₃ colorimetric assay)

1.5 - 3.5%

ANTIFUNGAL MIC range (w/v)

Demonstrates strong antifungal activity, with growth inhibition of dermatophyte fungi at low concentrations (MIC 1.5–3.5% w/v). This supports its potential for topical applications especially dermatophyte skin infections.

University of Sydney (broth dilution antifungal assay)

What each test measures - and why

Total Activity

Inhibition zone assay
OD600 microplate broth microdilution

Inhibition zone assay measuring antimicrobial potency against Staphylococcus aureus. Expressed as phenol equivalence. The foundation of both the TA and UMF™ rating systems. AW often tests using different methods (Inhibition zone assay vs S. aureus and/or OD600 microplate broth microdilution MIC assay) from different labs for improved transparency.
Jarrah TA35+: 53.8 / 38.0 · Dwutta TA35+: 41.5 / 38.0

Antioxidant Activity

DPPH radical scavenging

Measures ability to neutralise free radicals. Expressed as mg ascorbic acid equivalent per kilogram. Reflects total polyphenol and flavonoid content from floral sources within the foraging environment.

Jarrah TA35+: 473 mg AAE/kg · Dwutta TA35+: 442 mg AAE/kg

Pesticide Residues

glyphosate, AMPA, glufosinate

Glyphosate and glufosinate are broad-spectrum herbicides; AMPA (aminomethylphosphonic acid) is the primary, persistent environmental metabolite of glyphosate. Due to high usage, these chemicals are frequently detected in soil, water, and food. Our honeys freedom from agricultural chemical use is confirmed per batch – not assumed.
All AW batches: <0.01 mg/kg – below detection threshold

Toxic Metals

arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury

Codex Alimentarius sets a maximum for toxic metals. The legally acceptable maximum threshold depends on the metal. When selecting our honey we only consider those that have no detectable taxic heavy metals.
All AW batches: below detection threshold

Microbiology

total aerobic plate count

Standard food safety microbiology – total aerobic plate count, yeast and mould, and specific pathogen screening such as sulphite reducing clostridium. Confirms the honey meets regulatory food safety standards at the point of packing.

All AW batches: within regulatory limits – confirmed post-packing

Honey Standard GSO 147:2018

acidity, diastase activity, electrical conductivity,
HMF, moisture, sugars

Codex Alimentarius sets a standard for what can legally be called honey. This is the bare minimum of testing. It sets out acceptable ranges for acidity, diastase activity, electrical conductivity, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), moisture content and total sucrose fructose and glucose content.
All AW batches: within regulatory limits – confirmed post-packing

The Manuka comparison - data, not competition

Manuka established the category.
The data tells the next chapter.

Manuka honey introduced the concept of measurable, certifiable bioactive potency to the global wellness market. That is a genuine contribution. What the laboratory data establishes – plainly and without qualification – is that the honeys produced in the Southwest Australia Biodiversity Hotspot exceed the Manuka benchmark across the measures that matter most.

Measure

Jarrah TA35+ (AW)

Mānuka UMF™ 30+

What the Gap Means

Total Activity

53.8 / 38.0 phenol eq.

30.0 phenol eq.

Higher antimicrobial potency than manuka

Antioxidant Activity

473 mg AAE/kg

Rarely tested – reported ranges in independent studies: typically 200 – 600

AW has a confirmed AAE through batch testing

Glyphosate screening

<0.01 – not detected

Rarely tested – reported ranges in independent studies: typically 15 – 25% has detectable residues)

AW only selects honey free of glyphosate contamination

Glycaemic Index

GI 52 – low GI classification

GI ~55 – 60 typical

Jarrah classified low GI; most Manuka is not

Probiotic Index

0.91

0.82

Higher positive probiotic benefit than manuka

Rarity

Flowers 2 months, once every 2 years.
50 – 300 tonnes of jarrah honey is produced per annum.

Flowers 2 months, annually.
1,500 – 3,000 tonnes of manuka honey is produced per annum

Across all grades Jarrah is 20× rarer

Testing laboratory

ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory

Same accreditation. Same methodology. Different numbers.

Testing documents

Independent Testing Summary downloadable · original lab reports on request

Varies significantly by brand

AW publishes per-batch; original reports available to all

Figures for manuka are derived from peer-reviewed literature and publicly available producer data. Values are presented for general context and may vary by study, region, and methodology. AW figures from Independent Testing Summary CL515012435. The comparison is presented as data, not marketing.

The laboratories - who tests and why it matters

Named laboratories. Named results. Nothing redacted.

NATA – the National Association of Testing Authorities – is the peak accreditation body for Australian testing laboratories. NATA accreditation means independent assessment against ISO/IEC 17025 for technical competence – the international standard used by government forensic laboratories, food safety regulators, and medical diagnostic facilities.

Australian Wildflower tests with independent NATA-accredited (in Australia) and ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories internationally (i.e. in New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates), each with a specific area of expertise. Testing occurs pre-extraction and again post-packing. Most honey producers test once, if at all. We test twice. Every result in the Independent Testing Summary available through the Transparency Hub carries the name of the institution that produced it and the methodology used. All results are available on request.

NATA accreditation can be independently verified at nata.com.au. We encourage you to do so.

NMI Australia

NATA • ISO/IEC 17025

Australia’s national metrology authority (government institute). Highest authority for measurement traceability in Australia.

Y-Trace

ISO/IEC 17025

Specialises in authenticity, analytical and trace testing services (with the latest scientific techniques from peer reviewed research).

ALS New Zealand

IANZ • ISO/IEC 17025

Total Activity (TA) and antimicrobial potency testing. The same laboratory that rates and certifies Manuka honey for the global market.

ChemCentre WA

NATA • ISO/IEC 17025

Western Australian Government analytical chemistry reference laboratory. One of Australia’s highest-tier public analytical reference laboratories.

The honey market's transparency problem

In a market built on unverifiable claims,
an Independent Testing Summary is a different kind of promise.

In 2020, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute estimated that global Manuka honey production was approximately 1,700 tonnes annually. Global sales claimed to be Manuka honey exceeded 10,000 tonnes in the same year. The gap between what exists and what is sold is not a rounding error. It is the defining problem of the premium honey market.

The same problem extends beyond Manuka. “Raw,” “natural,” “pure,” and “single-origin” are unregulated descriptions in most markets. They can appear on any label regardless of what the jar contains.

Australian Wildflower publishes an Independent Testing Summary for every batch produced – a consolidated document drawn from signed, independent laboratory reports. The original laboratory reports are available to any customer who requests them at info@australianwildflower.au. That is not standard practice in the honey industry. It is the standard we have set for ourselves.

"We don't just talk about purity, potency and provenance — we prove it. Transparency is our trademark, and trust is what we bottle."

Natalie Bussau, Founder

"Raw" - no legal definition in most markets. AW's cold extraction is confirmed by HMF testing, independently verified.

"Monofloral" - unregulated claim. AW's purity is confirmed by the latest authenticity techniques (phenolic fingerprinting) for Jarrah and Marri (not available for other varietals yet)

"Pure" - no standard. AW's glyphosate screening returns <0.01 mg/kg on every batch. The result is in the Independent Testing Summary.

"Medicinal grade" - frequently used without independent verification. AW's TA ratings are by ALS New Zealand - the global standard facility for medicinal honey testing.

"Lab-tested" - common claim, rarely specific. AW names the laboratory, the accreditation, the methodology, and the result - in a document you can download.

How our testing documentation works

Three levels of disclosure.
Each serving a different depth of scrutiny.

Australian Wildflower’s testing documentation operates on three levels – designed to serve the casual buyer, the wellness connoisseur, and the professional researcher with equal integrity.

The product page shows the headline results – TA, antioxidant, glyphosate – as they appear in the Independent Testing Summary. The Independent Testing Summary gives the full picture across every parameter tested. The original laboratory reports give the signed scientific documents for those who want the primary source.

Every level is available. Nothing is behind a paywall. Nothing requires a justification. The only thing required to access the original laboratory reports is an email.

Three levels of testing disclosure

Level 1 - Product page results
Headline testing results shown inline on each product card: Total Activity, antioxidant, glyphosate and laboratory name.
Available: on The Honey page, for every product

Level 2 - Independent Testing Summary
A consolidated document produced by AW from independent laboratory reports - covering all parameters tested across every batch. Named laboratories, full data.
Available: to download at the Transparency Hub

Level 3 - Original laboratory reports
The signed primary documents produced by the testing laboratories - 20+ parameters, multiple labs, the complete scientific record behind every batch we have produced.
Available: on request at info@australianwildflower.au

The numbers are not the story.
They are the proof of it.

The Southwest Australia Biodiversity Hotspot produced these properties.
The ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories confirmed them.
The Independent Testing Summary is available to download.
The original signed laboratory reports are available to request.
We find that the most durable form of trust is the kind that has been earned through documents.

Transparency Hub

Request Report

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