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Yusuf AA, Pirk CWW, Buttstedt A. Expression of honey bee (Apis mellifera) sterol homeostasis genes in food jelly producing glands of workers. J Exp Zool A Ecol Integr Physiol 2024; 341:627-641. [PMID: 38567629 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Adult workers of Western honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) acquire sterols from their pollen diet. These food sterols are transported by the hemolymph to peripheral tissues such as the mandibular and the hypopharyngeal glands in the worker bees' heads that secrete food jelly which is fed to developing larvae. As sterols are obligatory components of biological membranes and essential precursors for molting hormone synthesis in insects, they are indispensable to normal larval development. Thus, the study of sterol delivery to larvae is important for a full understanding of honey bee larval nutrition and development. Whereas hypopharyngeal glands only require sterols for their membrane integrity, mandibular glands add sterols, primarily 24-methylenecholesterol, to its secretion. For this, sterols must be transported through the glandular epithelial cells. We have analyzed for the first time in A. mellifera the expression of genes which are involved in intracellular movement of sterols. Mandibular and hypopharyngeal glands were dissected from newly emerged bees, 6-day-old nurse bees that feed larvae and 26-day-old forager bees. The expression of seven genes involved in intracellular sterol metabolism was measured with quantitative real-time PCR. Relative transcript abundance of sterol metabolism genes was significantly influenced by the age of workers and specific genes but not by gland type. Newly emerged bees had significantly more transcripts for six out of seven genes than older bees indicating that the bulk of the proteins needed for sterol metabolism are produced directly after emergence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullahi A Yusuf
- Social Insects Research Group, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Christian W W Pirk
- Social Insects Research Group, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Anja Buttstedt
- Social Insects Research Group, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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Wang Y, Huang Y, Cheng N, Zhao H, Zhang Y, Liu C, He L, Ma T, Li Y, Cao W. Identification of Volatile Markers during Early Zygosaccharomyces rouxii Contamination in Mature and Immature Jujube Honey. Foods 2023; 12:2730. [PMID: 37509822 PMCID: PMC10379421 DOI: 10.3390/foods12142730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Osmotolerant yeasts are considered one of the major contaminants responsible for spoilage in honey. To address the signature volatile components of jujube honey contaminated by Zygosaccharomyces rouxii, headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) and chemometrics analyses were used to analyze the variation of volatile substances during early contamination of mature and immature jujube honey. Undecanal, methyl butyrate, methyl 2-nonenoate, methyl hexanoate, and 2-methyl-3-pentanone were identified as signature volatiles of jujube honey contaminated with Z. rouxii. In addition, methyl heptanoate, 2,6,10-trimethyltetradecane, and heptanal were identified as potential volatile signatures for immature jujube honey. The R2 and Q2 of OPLS-DA analyses ranged from 0.736 to 0.955, and 0.991 to 0.997, which indicates that the constructed model was stable and predictive. This study has demonstrated that HS-SPME-GC-MS could be used to distinguish Z. rouxii-contaminated jujube honey from uncontaminated honey based on variation in VOCs, and could provide theoretical support for the use of HS-SPME-GC-MS for the rapid detection of honey decomposition caused by Z. rouxii, which could improve nutritional quality and reduce economic losses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Wang
- Department of Food Science, College of Food Science and Technology, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Yuanyuan Huang
- Department of Food Science, College of Food Science and Technology, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Ni Cheng
- Department of Food Science, College of Food Science and Technology, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Haoan Zhao
- Department of Food Science, College of Food Science and Technology, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Food Science, College of Food Science and Technology, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Cailing Liu
- Department of Food Science, College of Food Science and Technology, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Liangliang He
- Department of Food Science, College of Food Science and Technology, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Tianchen Ma
- Department of Food Science, College of Food Science and Technology, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Yankang Li
- Department of Food Science, College of Food Science and Technology, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Wei Cao
- Department of Food Science, College of Food Science and Technology, Northwest University, Xi'an 710069, China
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Kacemi R, Campos MG. Translational Research on Bee Pollen as a Source of Nutrients: A Scoping Review from Bench to Real World. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15102413. [PMID: 37242296 DOI: 10.3390/nu15102413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The emphasis on healthy nutrition is gaining a forefront place in current biomedical sciences. Nutritional deficiencies and imbalances have been widely demonstrated to be involved in the genesis and development of many world-scale public health burdens, such as metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. In recent years, bee pollen is emerging as a scientifically validated candidate, which can help diminish conditions through nutritional interventions. This matrix is being extensively studied, and has proven to be a very rich and well-balanced nutrient pool. In this work, we reviewed the available evidence on the interest in bee pollen as a nutrient source. We mainly focused on bee pollen richness in nutrients and its possible roles in the main pathophysiological processes that are directly linked to nutritional imbalances. This scoping review analyzed scientific works published in the last four years, focusing on the clearest inferences and perspectives to translate cumulated experimental and preclinical evidence into clinically relevant insights. The promising uses of bee pollen for malnutrition, digestive health, metabolic disorders, and other bioactivities which could be helpful to readjust homeostasis (as it is also true in the case of anti-inflammatory or anti-oxidant needs), as well as the benefits on cardiovascular diseases, were identified. The current knowledge gaps were identified, along with the practical challenges that hinder the establishment and fructification of these uses. A complete data collection made with a major range of botanical species allows more robust clinical information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachid Kacemi
- Observatory of Drug-Herb Interactions, Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Heath Sciences Campus, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maria G Campos
- Observatory of Drug-Herb Interactions, Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Heath Sciences Campus, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
- Coimbra Chemistry Centre (CQC, FCT Unit 313), Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-516 Coimbra, Portugal
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Nichols BJ, Ricigliano VA. Uses and benefits of algae as a nutritional supplement for honey bees. Front Sustain Food Syst 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2022.1005058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Honey bees are essential agricultural pollinators that are threatened by various interacting stressors, posing risks to beekeeping industries and human food security. Malnutrition is a major factor underlying managed bee colony losses that can be countered by feeding artificial diets, which aim to deliver essential macro- and micronutrients. Current bee nutritional supplements show room for improvement and require resources that compete with human food production. Algae and microalgae in particular have been gaining traction in the literature as alternative feed sources and nutritional supplements for livestock, including honey bees. Herein, we review the current literature and categorize the effects of algae supplementation on honey bee colony productivity as well as effects on individual bee physiology and health. In general, we conclude that algae biomass appears to be suitable for use as a bee feed additive and as a source of health-stimulating natural products. Additionally, we suggest research areas that could improve the development of sustainable algae-based nutrition supplements for honey bees.
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Abstract
Optimal nutrition is crucial for honey bee colony growth and robust immune systems. Honey bee nutrition is complex and depends on the floral composition of the landscape. Foraging behavior of honey bees depends on both colony environment and external environment. There are significant gaps in knowledge regarding honey bee nutrition, and hence no optimal diet is available for honey bees, as there is for other livestock. In this review, we discuss (1) foraging behavior of honey bees, (2) nutritional needs, (3) nutritional supplements used by beekeepers, (4) probiotics, and (5) supplemental forage and efforts integrating floral diversity into cropping systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Tsuruda
- University of Tennessee - Knoxville, 2505 E J Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA
| | - Priyadarshini Chakrabarti
- Mississippi State University, P.O. Box 5307, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA; Oregon State University, 4017 Agriculture and Life Science Building, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Ramesh R Sagili
- Oregon State University, 4017 Agriculture and Life Science Building, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.
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Chakrabarti P, Sagili RR. Changes in Honey Bee Head Proteome in Response to Dietary 24-Methylenecholesterol. Insects 2020; 11:E743. [PMID: 33138161 PMCID: PMC7693931 DOI: 10.3390/insects11110743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Phytosterols are important micronutrients that are precursors of important molting hormones and help maintain cellular membrane integrity in insects including bees. Previous research has shown that 24-methylenecholesterol is a key phytosterol that enhances honey bee longevity and improves nurse bee physiology. Nurse bees have the ability to selectively transfer this sterol to developing larvae through brood food. This study examines the physiological impacts of 24-methylenecholesterol on nurse bees, by analyzing the protein profiles of nurse bee heads upon dietary sterol manipulation. Dietary experimental groups consisting of newly emerged honey bees were provided with varying concentrations of 24-methylenecholesterol for three weeks. At the end of the study, honey bees were collected and proteomic analysis was performed on honey bee heads. A total of 1715 proteins were identified across experimental groups. The mean relative abundances of nutritional marker proteins (viz. major royal jelly proteins 1, 4, 5, 7) were higher in experimental groups supplemented with higher dietary sterol concentrations, when compared with the control dietary group. The mean relative abundances of important enzymatic proteins (aminopeptidase and calcium-transporting ATPase) were higher in control groups, whereas mean relative abundances of oxysterol-binding protein and fatty acid-binding protein were higher in higher dietary sterol groups.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ramesh R. Sagili
- Department of Horticulture, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
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