Influence of Probiotic Feed Supplement on Nosema spp. Infection Level and the Gut Microbiota of Adult Honeybees (Apis mellifera L.)

Abstract

Honeybees’ gut microbiota can provide new valuable access into the pathogenesis-related factors included in infections. Hence, we researched the presence and comparison of gut microbiota groups in control and Nosema spp.-infected honeybee colonies through high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA. As the newest approach in apiary management, we hypothesize that the EM® probiotic for bees could have an important role in therapeutic and immunomodulatory effects on honeybee colonies. The aim of this study was to estimate its impact on the gut microbiota composition of adult honeybees. The major genera were detected, where Lactobacillus was the most abundant genus, followed by Gilliamela, Snodgrassella, and Bifidobacterium. Inoculation with Nosema spp. spores made the relative proportions of Bifidobacterium lower, which was ameliorated by EM® for bees’ application. In addition, EM® for bee applied treatments suppressed the increase in the number of Nosema spp. spores. This result points out that continuous EM® for bees treatment shall change bees’ gut microbiome composition and mitigate the influence of Nosema spp. infection. Snodgrassella alvi was a major member of the honeybee gut microbiota and may be significantly increased by long-term treatment with EM® for bees. Toward these results, it is possible that EM® for bees treatment will protect honeybees from herbicide glyphosate negative effects in agricultural fields by improving microbiome and immune functions.

Effects of Disinfectants on Bacterium Paenibacillus larvae in Laboratory Conditions

“…The achieved inhibitory effect was minimal, and therefore this product cannot be considered to be a disinfectant or biocide. However, the action of effective microorganisms in a living organism is multifaceted, as this product works to preserve normal microflora in the gastrointestinal system of mammals and insects based on the exclusion of pathogenic microorganisms and competitive antagonistic action [49] by changing metabolic pathways through enhancing the action of digestive enzymes while reducing the activity of bacterial enzymes and ammonia formation [50] and having positive effects on the immune system and gut microbiome of bees [51].…”

Winter Hive Debris Analysis Is Significant for Assessing the Health Status of Honeybee Colonies (Apis mellifera)

“…(Nosema spp. ), in combination with other pathogenic microorganisms [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25]. The spread of honeybee diseases due to robbing or the drifting of adult bees increases depending on the density of colonies in the geographical area.…”

Editorial for “Special Abilities of Microbes and Their Application in Agro-Biology”

“…In a separate study, the impact of probiotics on honeybees fed with a probiotic EM ® for bees (TH2; TH3) showed a significant reduction in pathogen Nosema spp. spore counts from 25.18% to 96% on average across different sampling days, while the control groups (TH1, TH4) exhibited a continuous increase in infection levels along with improvement in gut microbiota [ 14 ]. To unravel the interactions between plants, diseases, and arthropods in open-field conditions, another study highlighted the impact of Trichoderma harzianum T22 on zucchini plants in open-field conditions, revealing increased attractiveness to aphids and Hymenoptera parasitoids but ineffectiveness against zucchini pathogens [ 15 ].…”