Lactic Acid Bacteria from Honey Bees Digestive Tract and Their Potential as Probiotics

Abstract

Honey bees (Apis spp.) are social insects that possess unique gut microbiota community. There are three main phyla that dominate the honey bees gut microbiota; Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria in which several species among them belong to the lactic acid bacteria (LAB). In general, some species of LAB can be developed as potential probiotics due to their capability to produce bioactive compounds such as organic acid (lactic acid, acetate acid and formic acid), hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), ethanol, enzymes, benzoate, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), free fatty acid, and volatile compounds that in a synergistic action work as broad-spectrum antimicrobials toward several pathogens. Several strains of LAB that living in symbiosis within the digestive tract of honey bees have been isolated, among them are quite promising to be developed as probiotics. Multiple studies have shown the inhibitory effect of LAB from honey bees against pathogenic microorganisms. Formic acid and lactic acid produced by symbiotic LAB could decrease the environmental pH of wounds, therefore prevent the growth of pathogenic microbes. Furthermore, the volatile compound produced by LAB is toxic, while H 2 O 2 in small numbers is needed for optimal wound recovery. LAB capable of producing broad-spectrum antibacterial compounds such as Serratia marcescens, Eschericia coli, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella aerogenes, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas spp., Klebsiella spp., Proteus spp., S. aureus, and Bacillus subtilis. Additionally, LAB possess antioxidant activity and to adhere the epithelial cells. This paper aimed to discuss varieties of LAB from the digestive tract of honey bees and their potential as probiotics that could benefit healthcare.

Comparison of the gut microbiome of sacbrood virus-resistant and -susceptible Apis cerana from South Korea

“…remained unclear 43 , 44 . Other LAB species are capable of digesting polysaccharides and producing bioactive compounds that possess the potential to act as antimicrobials 35 , 40 , 45 . Therefore, supplements of these bacteria as probiotics could be helpful to maintain a healthy gut environment and provide efficient protection against SD.…”

Common Inflammatory Mechanisms in COVID-19 and Parkinson’s Diseases: The Role of Microbiome, Pharmabiotics and Postbiotics in Their Prevention

“…443 In the gut of honey bees, Lactobacillus species of L. plantarum (strains H28, H24, KX519413, KX519414, LP8, LP25, LP86, LP95, LP100) and L. kunkeei were characterized by an increased antioxidant potential that protects against different pesticides. 436,440,[444][445][446] All of these strains of lactobacteria from the gut of honey bees with an increased antioxidant potential can be selected as perspective strains for creating pharmabiotics. 445 There are new prospects for the use of components of lactobacteria, rather than their use in living form cultures.…”

Composition and diversity of bacteria from giant Asian honeybee Apis dorsata gut

“…Kacaniova et al (2019) have reported B. cereus, B. megatherium, B. olerenius, and B. thuringiensis isolated from the gut of A. mellifera had antimicrobial activity against P. larvae. Bacillus is also a probiotic group member (Niode et al 2020). Zulkhairi Amin et al (2019) have suggested that the Bacillus strain isolated from the stingless bee has probiotic potential.…”