COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING HONEY AND A SUPER-ABSORBENT MATERIAL

1 - 50 . (canceled)

51 . A composition comprising honey and a super-absorbent polymer fiber, which super-absorbent polymer fiber provides a lattice structure and is impregnated with the honey, wherein (a) the super-absorbent polymer fiber comprises a cross-linked polymer of acrylic acid and methacrylate; (b) the honey utilizes less than 50% of the super-absorbent polymer fiber's absorbent capacity; and (c) the superabsorbent polymer fiber is able to absorb, in water, at least 10 times its dry weight whilst retaining structural integrity of the composition.

52 . A composition according to claim 51 wherein the composition is in the form of a semi-solid pliable sheet.

53 . A composition according to claim 52 wherein the sheet comprises at least one layer of a cellulose compressed material or polyester, interspersed with at least one layer of a super absorbent polymer fiber.

54 . A composition according to claim 53 , wherein the cellulose compressed material is tissue paper.

55 . A composition according to claim 52 , wherein the sheet comprises a mixture of a super-absorbent polymer fiber and a cellulose fiber in a non-layered structure.

56 . A composition according to claim 52 , wherein thickness of the sheet is between 0.25 mm and 10 mm.

57 . A composition according to claim 52 , wherein thickness of the sheet is less than 1 mm.

58 . A composition according to claim 51 , wherein the honey utilizes between 5% and 50% of the super-absorbent polymer fiber's capacity.

59 . A composition according to claim 51 , wherein the honey utilizes less than 10% of the super-absorbent polymer fiber's absorbent capacity.

60 . A composition according to claim 51 , wherein anti-microbial activity of the honey is equivalent to a solution with a phenol content of at least 10%.

61 . A composition according to claim 51 , wherein the honey is Manuka honey.

62 . A composition according to claim 51 , wherein the composition is coated with a gelling agent.

63 . A composition according to claim 62 , wherein the gelling agent is in the form of a powder or granule or sheet.

64 . A composition according to claim 62 , wherein the gelling agent is any one or more of a super-absorbent polymer, alginate or carboxy-methyl-cellulose.

65 . A composition according to claim 64 , wherein the gelling agent is carboxy-methyl-cellulose.

66 . A dressing comprising a composition according to claim 51 .

67 . A dressing according to claim 66 , wherein the composition is encased within a fluid permeable material.

68 . A dressing according to claim 67 , wherein the fluid permeable material is selected from the group consisting of a non-woven, woven, knitted or other textile material of synthetic or natural origin, and a polymer film.

69 . A dressing according to claim 67 , wherein the fluid permeable material is a polymer based non-woven material.

70 . A dressing according to claim 69 , wherein the polymer based non-woven material is selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyurethane, polypropylene and polyethylene.

71 . A composition according to claim 51 or a dressing according claim 66 , which is sterile.

72 . A method of treating a lesion, comprising applying a composition according to claim 51 or a dressing according to claim 66 to the lesion.

73 . A method of manufacturing a composition according to claim 51 , comprising:

(a) providing at least one type of honey;

(b) providing at least one super-absorbent polymer fiber; and

(c) combining the honey and super-absorbent polymer fiber.

74 . A method of manufacturing the dressing according to claim 67 , comprising:

(a) providing a composition as defined in claim 51 ; and

(b) encasing the composition within a fluid permeable material.