Supplementation with an Inorganic Zinc Source in the Metalloproteomic Profile of Royal Jelly in Apis mellifera L

Effects of the toxic metal zinc on the growth, development, and reproduction of the wolf spider Pardosa laura through its food Drosophila melanogaster

In recent years, toxic metal pollution has become a serious problem, and its influence on human society and the ecological environment has become a hot topic for people. Toxic metal pollution is ubiquitous in the environment, and it can affect the growth, development, and reproduction of organisms through food chain transmission. In this study, we used ZnSO4 and set three different Zn concentrations [0 mg/mL (CK), 0.25 mg/mL, and 0.50 mg/mL] to study the enrichment of toxic zinc metal in the wolf spider Pardosa laura through the food chain (medium-Drosophila melanogaster-P. laura) and the effects on the growth, development, and reproduction of D. melanogaster and P. laura. The results of the study showed that the Zn content in D. melanogaster and P. laura significantly increased with the increase of Zn concentration in the culture medium, reflecting the obvious food chain enrichment phenomenon. The inhibitory effect of zinc treatment on the growth, development, and reproduction of D. melanogaster was significant and more pronounced with increasing Zn concentration. The transfer of zinc through the food chain also had a significant inhibitory effect on the growth, development, and reproduction of P. laura. The developmental duration and preoviposition period were significantly prolonged. Moreover, the survival rate, body size, and egg laying amount were significantly reduced. This study will enrich and improve the research on the effects of toxic Zn metal pollution on spiders and provide a theoretical basis for monitoring and evaluating the environmental quality using farmland spiders.

Metal ions in insect reproduction: a crosstalk between reproductive physiology and immunity

Most insects exhibit high reproductive capacity, which demands large amounts of energy, including macronutrients and micronutrients. Interestingly, many proteins involved in oogenesis depend on metals ions, in particular iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu). Mechanisms by which metal ions influence reproduction have been described in Drosophila melanogaster, but remain poorly understood in hematophagous insects where blood meals include significant ingestion of metal ions. Moreover, there is evidence that some proteins involved in reproduction and immunity could have dual function in both processes. This review highlights the importance of metal ions in the reproduction of non-hematophagous and hematophagous insects. In addition, we discuss how insects optimize physiological processes using proteins involved in crosstalk between reproductive physiology and immunity, which is a double-edge sword in allocating their functions to protect the insect and ensure reproduction.

Royal Jelly as a Nutraceutical Natural Product with a Focus on Its Antibacterial Activity

Royal jelly (RJ) is one of the most valued natural products and is known for its health-promoting properties. Due to its therapeutic effects, it has been used in medicine since antiquity. Nowadays, several studies indicate that RJ acts as a powerful antimicrobial agent. Indeed, researchers shed light on its antioxidant and anticancer activity. RJ's biological properties are related to its bioactive compounds, such as proteins, peptides, phenolic, and fatty acids. The aim of this review is to highlight recent findings on RJ's main bioactive compounds correlated with its health-promoting properties. The available literature suggests that these bioactive compounds can be used as an alternative approach in order to enhance human health. Moreover, throughout this paper, we underline the prominent antibacterial effect of RJ against several target bacterial strains. In addition, we briefly discuss other therapeutic activities, such as antioxidative and anticancer effects, of this outstanding natural product.