Volume: 1, 2022
1st International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: A025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL1.A025
Published online: 26 April 2022
ICDSUPL, 1, A025 (2022)
Natural biostimulants in support of honeybees’ immune system
Patrycja Skowronek1*
1 Department of Invertebrate Ecophysiology and Experimental Biology, Faculty of Environmental Biology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Doświadczalna 50A, 20-280, Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: patrycja.skowronek@up.lublin.pl
Abstract
About 70% of the plants that will be part of our diet in the future are entomophilic flora, requiring insect pollination to produce their crops and fruit. One of the most important pollinators is the honey bee (Apis mellifera), which is popular in breeding. Since 1980, scientists have been recording decline in the population of this pollinator by 20-50% worldwide. The main factors influencing the mortality of bees are: naturally occurring parasites and pathogens, pollutants and the chemicalization of the environment. In addition, bees’ immunity is adversely affected by poor diet caused by a reduction in plant biodiversity and the introduction of monocultures. The above-mentioned factors reduce the bees’ immunity and consequently shorten their lifespan. In connection with the observed problem, people began looking for supplements/biostimulants/compounds that could strengthen bee’s immunity and supplement the aforementioned deficiencies in the diet. In addition to stimulate immunity, these “products” are expected to be safe in apiary production. Due to the high requirements of safety for living organisms, only substances of natural origin are tested. The tested bees’ supplements include: piperine, resveratrol, curcumin, caffeine, spiruline, yeasts, hemp, coenzyme Q10, vitamin C, meals of various origins, pollen, protein products, probiotic products (pickled vegetables with Lactobacillus spp.) and herbal mixtures with the antiseptic and antibacterial effect. Most of the mentioned biostimulants prolonged the life of bees by as much as 33-38% (resveratrol). In addition, some of the tested substances had a proven positive effect on the stimulation of the immune system by increasing the activity of the proteolytic system and the concentration of immune proteins (hemp extract, curcumin, coenzyme Q10) and antioxidant enzymes (coenzyme Q10, hemp extract, piperine, vitamin C). Coenzyme Q10 additionally increased concentration of lipids in organism and ions such as magnesium and calcium. Higher lipid levels were noted after feeding bees with spiruline. Caffeine, in addition had a positive effect in the case of bees infected with Nosema spp. Despite of the large number of tested substances, it has not been possible to find one effective agent that suits all needs of modern beekeeping and the strict requirements for the safety of use.
How to cite
P. Skowronek, 2022. Natural biostimulants in support of honeybees’ immune system. In: 1st International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL1/A025