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Gram-Positive Bacteria with Probiotic Potential for the Apis mellifera L. Honey Bee: The Experience in the Northwest of Argentina.
- Source :
-
Probiotics and antimicrobial proteins [Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins] 2017 Mar; Vol. 9 (1), pp. 22-31. - Publication Year :
- 2017
-
Abstract
- Apis mellifera L. is one of the most important natural pollinators of significant crops and flowers around the world. It can be affected by different types of illnesses: american foulbrood, nosemosis, varroasis, viruses, among others. Such infections mainly cause a reduction in honey production and in extreme situations, the death of the colony. Argentina is the world's second largest honey exporter and the third largest honey producer, after China and Turkey. Given both the prominence of the honey bee in nature and the economic importance of apiculture in Argentina and the world, it is crucial to develop efficient and sustainable strategies to control honey bee diseases and to improve bee colony health. Gram-positive bacteria, such as lactic acid bacteria, mainly Lactobacillus, and Bacillus spp. are promising options. In the Northwest of Argentina, several Lactobacillus and Bacillus strains from the honey bee gut and honey were isolated by our research group and characterized by using in vitro tests. Two strains were selected because of their potential probiotic properties: Lactobacillus johnsonii CRL1647 and Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis Mori2. Under independent trials with both experimental and commercial hives, it was determined that each strain was able to elicit probiotic effects on bee colonies reared in the northwestern region of Argentina. One result was the increase in egg-laying by the queen which therefore produced an increase in bee number and, consequently, a higher honey yield. Moreover, the beneficial bacteria reduced the incidence of two important bee diseases: nosemosis and varroosis. These results are promising and extend the horizon of probiotic bacteria to the insect world, serving beekeepers worldwide as a natural tool that they can administer as is, or combine with other disease-controlling methods.
- Subjects :
- Animals
Argentina
Beekeeping
Bees growth & development
Gastrointestinal Tract microbiology
Gram-Positive Bacteria classification
Gram-Positive Bacteria genetics
Gram-Positive Bacteria growth & development
Honey microbiology
Probiotics classification
Bees microbiology
Gram-Positive Bacteria isolation & purification
Probiotics isolation & purification
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1867-1314
- Volume :
- 9
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Probiotics and antimicrobial proteins
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 27655068
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s12602-016-9231-0