An antimicrobial is an agent that kills micro-organisms or stops their growth.
The primary difference between antibacterial and antimicrobial substances is the types of micro-organism they act upon. While antibacterial products prevent the development of bacteria, Antimicrobial products have the ability to kill or slow the spread of microorganisms, which may include bacteria, parasites, or fungis.
Merilyn Manley-Harris, associate professor of organic and analytical chemistry at the University of Waikato, New Zealand, says: "MGO is an antibacterial agent and research shows it is very difficult for bacteria to develop immunity to it because it has multiple methods of action.
"The slightly bitter taste of Manuka Honey is because it’s also quite high in phenolic acids, which are antioxidants."