Beneficial microorganisms for honey bees: problems and progresses

Abstract

Nowadays, honey bees are stressed by a number of biotic and abiotic factors which may compromise to some extent the pollination service and the hive productivity. The EU ban of antibiotics as therapeutic agents against bee pathogens has stimulated the search for natural alternatives. The increasing knowledge on the composition and functions of the bee gut microbiota and the link between a balanced gut microbiota and health status have encouraged the research on the use of gut microorganisms to improve bee health. Somehow, we are assisting to the transfer of the "probiotic concept" into the bee science. In this review, we examine the role of the honey bee gut microbiota in bee health and critically describe the available applications of beneficial microorganisms as pest control agents and health support. Most of the strains, mainly belonging to the genera Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Bacillus, are isolated from honey bee crop or gut, but some applications involve environmental strains or formulation for animal and human consumption. Overall, the obtained results show the favourable effect of applied microbial strains on bee health and productivity, in particular if strains of bee origin are used. However, it is actually not yet possible to conclude whether this strategy will ever work. In particular, many aspects regarding the overall setup of the experiments, the dose, the timing and the duration of the treatment need to be optimized, also considering the microbiological safety of the hive products (i.e. pollen and honey). In addition, a deep investigation about the effect on host immunity and physiology is envisaged. Lastly, the final users of the formulations, i.e. beekeepers, should be taken into account for the achievement of high-quality, cost-effective and easy-to-use products.

Probiotics as a tool for disease mitigation in wildlife: insights from food production and medicine

“…). However, there is increased interest, and researchers have investigated probiotics in amphibians, bats, and bees, with discussion about using probiotics in other wildlife species, such as corals . In amphibians, probiotics have been used to mitigate the emerging fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd).…”

“…Other wildlife disease systems may also benefit from probiotics research, including those in coral and bees . In honeybees, as in vertebrates, the resident microbiota performs a number of beneficial functions related to digestion and defense.…”

“…However, there is increased interest, and researchers have investigated probiotics in amphibians, bats, and bees, with discussion about using probiotics in other wildlife species, such as corals. 9,14,65,66 In amphibians, probiotics have been used to mitigate the emerging fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). The first demonstration that probiotics could alter the host pathogen outcome comes from addition of Pseudomonas reactans to the salamander Plethodon cinereus, where inoculation with P. reactans microbes reduced weight loss and morbidity in a laboratory study.…”

Antibacterial potential components of Bacillus species and antibiotics residues in branded and unbranded honey samples from Nigeria

“…The components produced by these Bacillus spp. from honey and bees can be further researched on and applied in science (Alberori et al, 2016). The bioactive metabolites of these species can be characterized to determine their mechanism of action behind their antibacterial activity and therapeutic characteristics.…”

Effects of Lactobacillus Johnsonii AJ5 Metabolites on Nutrition, Nosema Ceranae Development and Performance of Apis Mellifera L.

“…(Maggi et al, 2013) were administered to bees. Over the last years, honey bee researchers have been working hard to analyze the composition and function of honey bee microbiota (Engel et al, 2012;Mattila et al, 2012;Vásquez et al, 2012;Alberoni et al, 2016) to use it as an alternative to deal with nutritional and immunological problems (Crotti et al, 2012;Moran, 2015). Furthermore, much effort has been focused on developing natural formulations to improve colony performance and consequently mitigate the negative effects of major diseases.…”