Activity of salivary glands in secreting honey‐elaborating enzymes in two subspecies of honeybee (Apis melliferaL)

Abstract

The activity of invertase, glucose oxidase and amylase in the cephalic (post‐cerebral) and thoracic salivary glands is determined in Egyptian and Carniolan honeybees (Apis mellifera L). For this purpose, three ages of worker bees are selected for enzyme assays. The results show that the three target enzymes are detected in the two glands during the three worker ages, except invertase, which cannot be detected in the cephalic gland of newly emerged bees of both subspecies. In both glands, the secretion of invertase is highest, followed by amylase and then glucose oxidase. In Carniolan bees, invertase secretion of the cephalic and thoracic glands increases gradually with age. In Egyptian bees, invertase increases with age only in the cephalic gland, whereas, in the thoracic gland, the highest secretion activity is detected in 10–15‐day‐old bees. The highest amounts of glucose oxidase and amylase in the cephalic gland are detected in newly emerged individuals of both Egyptian and Carniolan bees. In the thoracic gland, however, the highest activity of both enzymes is recorded only in newly emerged Egyptian bees. The results are discussed in the light of bee management and biological aspects of the two subspecies.

The Effect of Adding the Leaves and Fruits of Morus alba to Rape Honey on Its Antioxidant Properties, Polyphenolic Profile, and Amylase Activity

“…The different situation observed for α-glucosidase and β-galactosidase in the presented study indicates different properties of these enzymes, which are manifested by the lack of sensitivity to plant-derived inhibitors. This may be a consequence of their origin from bee throat glands [37]. However, it is only speculation because the knowledge about the source and function of honey enzymes is still being explored.…”

Antibacterial Effect of Honey-Derived Exosomes Containing Antimicrobial Peptides Against Oral Streptococci

“…Honey is a product generated by adult worker bees from flower nectar and different enzymes obtained from secretions of salivary glands, mainly the hypopharyngeal glands. 8,9 In the past, the antibacterial effect of these substances has been mostly attributed to compounds such as methylglyoxal and peroxide, as well as factors such as pH and osmolarity. 10,11 Recently, our group has demonstrated for the first time the presence of exosome-like extracellular vesicles (EVs) in A. mellifera products such as royal jelly, bee pollen and honey.…”

Some Physical and Chemical Properties of Raw Flower-Honey from Erzurum Highland

“…Invertase is one of the enzymes released from the cephalic and thoracic glands of honey bees and has the highest activity in the maturation of honey (Al-Sherif et al, 2017). When the invertase values obtained within the scope of this study are compared with the ratio of IU≥73.45 recommended by the International Honey Commission (IHC) in terms of proof and freshness of honey not being heat-treated; It was observed that all samples labeled raw honey fit very well with this measurement scale with an average of 188.5±0.2 U/kg (Table 1).…”