Microalgae as a promising and sustainable nutrition source for managed honey bees

Authors: Ricigliano, Vincent

Submitted to: Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/14/2020
Publication Date: 1/24/2020
Citation: Ricigliano, V.A. Microalgae as a promising and sustainable nutrition source for managed honey bees. Archives of Insect Biochemistry and Physiology. 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1002/arch.21658.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/arch.21658

Interpretive Summary: Managed honey bee colony losses are attributed to a number of interacting stressors, but many lines of evidence point to malnutrition as a primary factor. Commercial beekeepers have become increasingly reliant on artificial pollen substitute diets to nourish colonies during periods of forage scarcity and to bolster colony size prior to pollination services. These artificial diets may be deficient in essential macronutrients (proteins, lipids, prebiotic fibers), micronutrients (vitamins, minerals) and antioxidants. Microalgae are a prolific source of plant-based nutrition with many species exhibiting a biochemical profile that is comparable to pollen. Further, microalgae feeds have been employed in a variety of organisms, including limited applications in honey bees. This review introduces the nutritional value and functional properties of microalgae, extrapolating to central aspects of honey bee nutritional physiology, and concludes by discussing the potential of microalgae to sustainably provision honey bee colonies on an agricultural scale.

Technical Abstract: Managed honey bee colony losses are attributed to a number of interacting stressors, but many lines of evidence point to malnutrition as a primary factor. Commercial beekeepers have become increasingly reliant on artificial pollen substitute diets to nourish colonies during periods of forage scarcity and to bolster colony size prior to pollination services. These artificial diets may be deficient in essential macronutrients (proteins, lipids, prebiotic fibers), micronutrients (vitamins, minerals) and antioxidants. Microalgae are a prolific source of plant-based nutrition with many species exhibiting a biochemical profile that is comparable to pollen. Further, microalgae feeds have been employed in a variety of organisms, including limited applications in honey bees. This review introduces the nutritional value and functional properties of microalgae, extrapolating to central aspects of honey bee nutritional physiology, and concludes by discussing the potential of microalgae to sustainably provision honey bee colonies on an agricultural scale.