Honey bee microbiome is stabilized in the presence of propolis.

Authors: Saelao, Perot; BORBA, RENATA - ALBERTA RESEARCH COUNCIL; Ricigliano, Vincent; SPIVAK, MARLA - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA; Simone-Finstrom, Michael

Submitted to: Biology Letters
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/6/2020
Publication Date: 5/6/2020
Citation: Saelao, P., Borba, R.S., Ricigliano, V.A., Spivak, M., Simone-Finstrom, M. 2020. Honey bee microbiome is stabilized in the presence of propolis. 2020. Biology Letters. 16:1-5. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2020.0003.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2020.0003

Interpretive Summary: Honey bees have many behavioral traits that ensure that the nest environment remains stable and constant to promote healthy development of larvae, pupae, and adult populations. One such method includes using plant resins combined with wax to form propolis, which the bees spread throughout the hive. Although not consumed by the bees, propolis is able to convey antimicrobial and antiseptic properties that help protect the colony from diseases. However, very few studies have attempted to understand how propolis directly influences the beneficial bacteria within a bee and the bee hive. This study uses whole genome sequencing of the honey bee microbiome to understand what influence propolis within the nest environment honey bee gut bacteria. What we found was that in bees from propolis-rich colonies, there was a more uniform bacterial community. However, in propolis-poor groups there was a greater variation in the overall microbial community, suggesting propolis may be important in maintaining a stable bacterial community structure, which could impact bee health. Overall, propolis appears to play a significant role in regulating the honey bee microbial community and may be contributed to maintaining favorable bacterial communities within bees.

Technical Abstract: Honey bees have many behavioral traits that ensure that the nest environment remains stable and constant to promote healthy development of larvae, pupae, and adult populations. One such method includes using plant resins combined with wax to form propolis, which the bees spread throughout the hive. Although not consumed by the bees, propolis is able to convey antimicrobial and antiseptic properties that help protect the colony from diseases. However, very few studies have attempted to understand how propolis directly influences the beneficial bacteria within a bee and the bee hive. This study uses whole genome sequencing of the honey bee microbiome to understand what influence propolis within the nest environment honey bee gut bacteria. What we found was that in bees from propolis-rich colonies, there was a more uniform bacterial community. However, in propolis-poor groups there was a greater variation in the overall microbial community, suggesting propolis may be important in maintaining a stable bacterial community structure, which could impact bee health. Overall, propolis appears to play a significant role in regulating the honey bee microbial community and may be contributed to maintaining favorable bacterial communities within bees.