Associated bacterial microbiota of honey and related products from stingless bees as novel sources of bioactive compounds for biotechnological applications

Bee-Associated Beneficial Microbes—Importance for Bees and for Humans

“…Principle reported ubiquitous Gram-negative species were Snodgrassella alvi (phylum Pseudomonadota) and Gilliamella apicola (phylum Proteobacteria), while ubiquitous and abundant Gram-positive species were represented by two species clusters, namely, Lactobacillus mellifer / mellis clade (formerly Firm-4 clade) and Lactobacillus melliventris clade (formerly Firm-5 clade), both from Firmicutes phylum, with Bifidobacterium asteroides -related species cluster (phylum Actinobacteria) also being present in most adult bees [ 20 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ]. Additional phylotypes that are less consistent across colonies (non-core) and are not necessarily present in every individual include the Frischella , Bartonella , Commensalibacter , Bombella , Fructobacillus and Apibacter species [ 6 , 22 , 23 , 26 , 27 ]. It is also worth mentioning Apilactobacillus kunkeei (previously referred to as Lactobacillus kunkeei ), a non-core colonizer species that accounts for a relatively small proportion of the honeybee gut microbiota, although it is quite common in the floriferous environment and in bees’ inputs [ 6 , 21 , 23 , 25 ].…”

“…Additional phylotypes that are less consistent across colonies (non-core) and are not necessarily present in every individual include the Frischella , Bartonella , Commensalibacter , Bombella , Fructobacillus and Apibacter species [ 6 , 22 , 23 , 26 , 27 ]. It is also worth mentioning Apilactobacillus kunkeei (previously referred to as Lactobacillus kunkeei ), a non-core colonizer species that accounts for a relatively small proportion of the honeybee gut microbiota, although it is quite common in the floriferous environment and in bees’ inputs [ 6 , 21 , 23 , 25 ]. All further abbreviations for the former Lactobacillus genera are stated according to Todorov et al [ 28 ].…”

“…Most studies on stingless bees highlight that environmental factors are a strong modulating feature for the microbiota, and the microbial communities of these bees can vary significantly between different species. Moreover, even within communities of the same species, factors such as food preference, age, and genetics clearly influence which microbial communities become established [ 6 , 42 ].…”

“…Bees of different species contribute directly to plant pollination, being crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems and global agriculture. The GIT of bees is colonized by symbiont microorganisms, which are associated mainly with flowers (pollinated by bees) and contact between bees, but also from the surrounding ecosystem, and these symbionts actively contribute to the health and productivity of bees [ 6 ]. These microorganisms (generally bacterial species) are also present in beehive inputs, such as honey, bee-collected pollen, and bee bread, contributing to these foods being an invaluable source of bioactive compounds which not only support the health of the hives, but also promote nutrition, health, and consumers’ well-being, being considered functional foods [ 6 , 7 ].…”

“…The GIT of bees is colonized by symbiont microorganisms, which are associated mainly with flowers (pollinated by bees) and contact between bees, but also from the surrounding ecosystem, and these symbionts actively contribute to the health and productivity of bees [ 6 ]. These microorganisms (generally bacterial species) are also present in beehive inputs, such as honey, bee-collected pollen, and bee bread, contributing to these foods being an invaluable source of bioactive compounds which not only support the health of the hives, but also promote nutrition, health, and consumers’ well-being, being considered functional foods [ 6 , 7 ]. In addition to beneficial microorganisms, several bacterial species have also been identified in bees and hives (as part of the complex microbiota) that have an adverse effect on the health of bees— Paenibacillus larvae , Melissococcus plutonius , Spiroplasma apis , and Spiroplasma melliferum , as well as fungi, such as Aspergillus , Nosema , and Varroa species, besides many viruses and protozoa [ 8 , 9 , 10 ].…”