Characterization of Apis mellifera Gastrointestinal Microbiota and Lactic Acid Bacteria for Honeybee Protection—A Review

Abstract

Numerous honeybee (Apis mellifera) products, such as honey, propolis, and bee venom, are used in traditional medicine to prevent illness and promote healing. Therefore, this insect has a huge impact on humans’ way of life and the environment. While the population of A. mellifera is large, there is concern that widespread commercialization of beekeeping, combined with environmental pollution and the action of bee pathogens, has caused significant problems for the health of honeybee populations. One of the strategies to preserve the welfare of honeybees is to better understand and protect their natural microbiota. This paper provides a unique overview of the latest research on the features and functioning of A. mellifera. Honeybee microbiome analysis focuses on both the function and numerous factors affecting it. In addition, we present the characteristics of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as an important part of the gut community and their special beneficial activities for honeybee health. The idea of probiotics for honeybees as a promising tool to improve their health is widely discussed. Knowledge of the natural gut microbiota provides an opportunity to create a broad strategy for honeybee vitality, including the development of modern probiotic preparations to use instead of conventional antibiotics, environmentally friendly biocides, and biological control agents.

Overwintering honeybees maintained dynamic and stable intestinal bacteria

“…Honeybees harbor a relatively simple but remarkably specialized and consistent intestinal microbial community. The intestinal bacteria of western honeybees (Apis mellifera) mainly comprises nine species, including gram-negative bacteria (Gilliamella apicola and Frischella perrara), Betaproteobacterium (Snodgrassella alvi), Lactobacillus (Firm-4 and Firm-5), Bifidobacterium (Bifidobacterium asteroides and Bifidobacterium coryneforme), Alphaproteobacteria (Alpha-1 and Alpha-2) [15][16][17] . A healthy and stable intestinal bacteria are vital for the beneficial functions of honeybees.…”

“…Some gut bacteria can also help hosts to detoxify harmful molecules and protect against pathogens and parasites 19 , 20 . The beneficial bacteria resist colonization and development of pathogens and parasites by producing antimicrobial compounds and synthesizing key components of the locust cohesion pheromone 16 . During the growth stage of honeybees, the intestinal bacteria are also involved in growth improvement and immunomodulation of its hosts 15 , 19 .…”

Effects of Insecticides and Microbiological Contaminants on Apis mellifera Health

“…In their previous publications, the authors also presented the characteristics of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as an important part of the gut community and their special beneficial activities for honey bee health. The authors also discussed the idea of probiotics for honey bees as a promising tool to improve their health [ 4 , 5 ].…”

In Silico and In Vitro Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Potential of Bacillus cereus Isolated from Apis dorsata Gut against Neisseria gonorrhoeae

“…The Apis gut microbial community is composed of three major phyla: Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria [20,21]. Among the bacteria belonging to these phyla, there are several species of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) [22][23][24]. LAB has potential as a probiotic because the bioactive components it produces are synergistic with antimicrobials [25].…”

“…Nowadays, the use of probiotics derived from unusual sources, such as animal digestive tracts, is on the rise [27]. Several LABs isolated from the gut of Apis, such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Enterococcus, showed inhibitory effects against pathogenic bacteria [22,24], indicating their potential as probiotics. Antimicrobial peptide, one of the bioactive compounds of LAB from Apis gut, is a critical component of bee immune systems and has the potential to be developed as a broad-spectrum antibiotic for treating or preventing bacterial infections [28][29][30].…”