The Scientific Understanding of Manuka Honey's MGO Grading System

Posted on Feb 20, 2026

1. Introduction: Overview of Active Compounds in Manuka Honey Unlike standard honey, Manuka honey exhibits Non-Peroxide Activity (NPA), primarily attributed to the presence of Methylglyoxal (MGO). This document analyzes the chemical properties of MGO and its associated grading system to establish objective product selection criteria.

2. Comparative Analysis of MGO and UMF Indicators

MGO (Methylglyoxal): This metric calculates the absolute mass (in milligrams) of methylglyoxal contained within 1 kilogram of honey. For instance, an MGO 300+ rating explicitly indicates a minimum of 300mg of MGO per kilogram.
UMF (Unique Manuka Factor): This is a composite evaluation metric that measures MGO alongside other compounds such as Leptosperin and Dihydroxyacetone (DHA).

While both metrics correlate proportionally, the MGO system provides more definitive, quantitative chemical data regarding the absolute concentration of the active antibacterial compound.

3. MGO Grade Selection Guidelines by Objective Recommended consumption protocols based on antibacterial activity and clinical utility data are categorized as follows:

MGO 150+ (Daily Maintenance): Suitable for routine nutritional supplementation and baseline immune system maintenance.
MGO 300+ (Initial Defense): Applicable for proactive symptom management during seasonal transitions and periods of mild immune suppression.
MGO 600+ (Targeted Management): Recommended for focused antibacterial action, oral anti-inflammatory support, and gastrointestinal mucosal protection.
MGO 1000+ (Specialized Application): Reserved for high-intensity antibacterial requirements, localized inflammation management, and supplementary wound care.

4. Conclusion The functional efficacy of Manuka honey correlates directly with its MGO metric. Rather than defaulting to the highest available grade, rational consumption dictates selecting an MGO level that aligns with the user's specific physiological requirements and targeted applications.