Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Meliponini and Apini Research Laboratory, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Chiang Mai University 50200, Thailand
2
Office of Research and Administration, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai University, 239, Suthep, Muang, Chiangmai, 50200, Thailand
3
Department of Life Science, Sardar Patel University, Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh 481331, India
4
Agricultural Research Institute, Gyeongkuk National University, Andong GB 36729, South Korea
5
Department of Plant Medicals, Gyeongkuk National University, Andong GB 36729, South Korea
6
Department of Plant Medicals, Andong National University, Andong, Republic of Korea
7
Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, National Chung Hsing University 402202, Taiwan
8
Biotechnology Program, School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Phayao 56000, Thailand
Abstract
Introduction: This study investigates the potential of animal-derived meat proteins as substitutes for maize pollen in honey bee diets. The research focuses on evaluating their effects on bee health through physiology and microbiome analyses.
Materials and Methods: Meat samples (chicken, pork, and beef) were subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis. The hydrolyzed proteins were incorporated into artificial diet formulations for honey bee feeding trials, with maize pollen serving as the control diet. Honey bees were allocated to each dietary group and monitored to evaluate lifespan and hypopharyngeal gland development. Subsequently, gut microbiome diversity and composition were analyzed to provide a comprehensive assessment.
Results: SEM images showed that enzymatic hydrolysis improved muscle fiber structure, enhancing digestibility, with chicken-based diets showing the best results. Proximate analysis revealed moisture content from 30-48%, carbohydrates from 25-49%, fat from 3-5%, and protein content remained consistent at 13-15%. The hydrolyzed chicken-based diet had the highest amino acid content (26.92 g/100 g). Survival studies showed that bees fed hydrolyzed chicken-based diets had similar survival rates and hypopharyngeal gland acini development to those fed maize pollen diets, outperforming other diets. Microbiome analysis revealed increased microbial diversity, with Bartonella and Lactobacillus dominating, and B. apis most abundant in the hydrolyzed chicken-based diet.
Conclusions: Hydrolyzed chicken-based diets demonstrated equivalent nutritional and microbiome benefits to maize pollen, positioning it as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative for apiculture. Given the occasional scarcity of maize pollen, animal protein emerges as a viable substitute, contributing to greater sustainability within the beekeeping industry.
Keywords
