Influence of probiotic bacteria feed supplementation on hypopharyngeal glands morphometric measurements of honeybee workers Apis mellifera L

Abstract

Abstract More scientific study and methods that are compatible with the environment are needed in modern beekeeping to increase the productivity and well-being of honeybees. The goal of the current study set out to investigate the possible effects of probiotics previously isolated from the honeybee intestinal tract and soybean patties on nurse worker bee development, particularly of the hypopharyngeal gland (HPG). More royal jelly can be produced by larger HPGs than by smaller ones. Probiotics and soya beans were administered in the experiment in four separate treatment groups, with control colonies serving as the comparison group. The results showed that there was a significant increase in hypopharyngeal gland morphometric parameters of bees in the experimental group fed probiotic bacteria and soya bean patty. While Control nurse worker bees fed sugar syrup for only two weeks had the smallest hypopharyngeal gland morphometric parameters. The highest HPG diameter 14.89 ± 0.097 µm and surface area 0.065 ± 0.001µm2 were observed in bees group fed with both probiotic and soya patty. Addition the same trend was observed in all morphometric parameter with bees group fed with probiotic bacteria. Thus, the use of probiotics as a natural alternative tool boosted the development of Apis mellifera nurse workers' HPG that will positively affect the beekeepers’ economy by providing a higher yield of royal jelly production.