Stimulation effect of probiotic bacteria Bacillus spp. and inactivated yeast on the honey bees Apis mellifera physiology and honey productivity

Abstract

In order to find effective and safe ways to prevent the weakening and death of honey bee colonies from various stress factors, it is necessary to focus on the stimulation of physiological processes in the bee’s body, activating their mechanisms of resistance. Bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis produce important digestive enzymes, which have antimicrobial and detoxification effects, and also stimulate metabolic processes in the organism. The inactivated yeast Saccaromyces cerevisiae was used as a protein and vitamin component of the supplement. It was found that the addition of the studied supplement to the bees' feeding increased the activity of proteases 3.32-fold in the gut, non-specific esterases - 2.16-fold in the fat body, glutathione-S-transferases - 2.64-fold in the gut and 1.69-fold in the fat body in the Apis mellifera. Application of the supplement in the field has shown that the honey productivity per family increases 1.5-fold compared to the control.