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Bee Products: Status, Properties, Opportunities, and Challenges

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A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450). This special issue belongs to the section "Role of Insects in Human Society".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2023) | Viewed by 8220

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. José Manuel Flores

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Guest Editor

Department of Zoology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Córdoba, Campus of Rabanales, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
Interests: bee products; bee health; bee monitoring; precision apiculture
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. María Dolores Hernando

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

1. Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA), National Research Council CSIC, 28040 Madrid, Spain
2. Experimental Station of Arid Zones (EEZA), National Research Council CSIC, 04120 Almería, Spain
Interests: bee products; environmental contamination; food safety; pesticide residues; organic contaminants; development of new strategies by mass spectrometry-based methods to determine anthropogenic contaminants and natural compounds in food and the environment

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The honey bee provides highly valued pollination services for a wide variety of wild flowering plant species and important crops. The honey bee is an integral part of biodiversity, but unfortunately, it faces serious threats. Climate change, environmental pollution, loss of habitat, or pathogens such as the Varroa mite often affect Western honey bee populations. Almost all Western honey bee colonies are kept by beekeepers, thus, helping to preserve bee populations. On the other hand, threats to bee health and market competition make the sustainability of apiculture a critical matter.

Bee products including honey, pollen, bee bread, royal jelly, or propolis have been used since time immemorial because of their unique characteristics, such as their nutritional and therapeutic properties. However, bee products face several challenges. We still do not have adequate and appropriate ways to understand the quality parameters of bee products or to create meaningful standards. All the above-mentioned products can be contaminated by microorganisms or anthropogenic chemicals from different sources, so ensuring their safety and quality is difficult.

The objective of this Special Issue is to share the latest advances in bee products regarding analytical methods for the evaluation of their quality and safety, and the diversification of products—both raw and their derivatives—in food, feed, or in pharmacy, as well as in consumer awareness and perception.

Prof. Dr. José Manuel Flores
Prof. Dr. María Dolores Hernando
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Insects is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

bee products
product diversification
composition
properties
safety
methodological strategies
microbial contamination
mycotoxins
anthropogenic contaminants
consumer awareness

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 2194 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anti-Herpes Simplex Virus and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of the Melittin Peptides Derived from Apis mellifera and Apis florea Venom

by Pichet Praphawilai, Thida Kaewkod, Sureeporn Suriyaprom, Aussara Panya, Terd Disayathanoowat and Yingmanee Tragoolpua

Insects 2024, 15(2), 109; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15020109 - 4 Feb 2024

Viewed by 1356

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is known to cause cold sores and various diseases in humans. Importantly, HSV infection can develop latent and recurrent infections, and it is also known to cause inflammation. These infections are difficult to control, and effective treatment of the disease remains a challenge. Thus, the search for new antiviral and anti-inflammatory agents is a necessity. Melittin is a major peptide that is present in the venom of the honeybee. It possesses a number of pharmacological properties. In this study, the effects of the melittin peptides from A. mellifera (MEL-AM) and A. florea (MEL-AF) against HSV-1 and HSV-2 were evaluated at different stages during the viral multiplication cycle in an attempt to define the mode of antiviral action using plaque reduction and virucidal assays. The results revealed a new finding that melittin at 5 µg/mL demonstrated the highest inhibitory effect on HSV through the direct inactivation of viral particles, and MEL-AF displayed a greater virucidal activity. Moreover, melittin was also observed to interfere with the process of HSV attachment to the host cells. MEL-AM exhibited anti-HSV-1 and anti-HSV-2 effects with EC₅₀ values of 4.90 ± 0.15 and 4.39 ± 0.20 µg/mL, while MEL-AF demonstrated EC₅₀ values of 4.47 ± 0.21 and 3.95 ± 0.61 µg/mL against HSV-1 and HSV-2, respectively. However, non-cytotoxic concentrations of both types of melittin produced only slight degrees of HSV-1 and HSV-2 inhibition after viral attachment, but melittin at 5 µg/mL was able to reduce the plaque size of HSV-2 when compared to the untreated group. In addition, MEL-AM and MEL-AF also exhibited anti-inflammatory activity via the inhibition of nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells, and they were also found to down-regulate the expressions of the iNOS, COX-2 and IL-6 genes. The highest inhibition of IL-6 mRNA expression was found after treatment with 10 µg/mL of MEL-AM and MEL-AF. Therefore, melittin peptides have displayed strong potential to be used as an alternative treatment for HSV infection and inflammatory diseases in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bee Products: Status, Properties, Opportunities, and Challenges)

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11 pages, 497 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of the Potential Effect of Postbiotics Obtained from Honey Bees against Varroa destructor and Their Combination with Other Organic Products

by Eduardo José García-Vicente, María Benito-Murcia, María Martín, Ismael Rey-Casero, Ana Pérez, María González, Juan Manuel Alonso and David Risco

Insects 2024, 15(1), 67; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15010067 - 17 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1426

Abstract

The Varroa destructor mite infests Apis mellifera colonies and causes significant harm. Traditional treatments have become less effective because of mite resistance development and can also generate residues inside beehives. This study aimed to gauge the efficacy of a beehive-derived postbiotic in reducing V. destructor viability and to explore its synergies with organic compounds. Four lactic acid bacteria (LAB) species, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lactobacillus helsingborgensis, Bacillus velezensis, and Apilactobacillus kunkeei, were isolated and tested in a postbiotic form (preparations of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components) via bioassays. L. mesenteroides, L. helsingborgensis, and B. velezensis notably reduced the mite viability compared to the control, and they were further tested together as a single postbiotic product (POS). Further bioassays were performed to assess the impact of the POS and its combinations with oxalic acid and oregano essential oil. The simple products and combinations (POS/Oregano, POS/Oxalic, Oregano/Oxalic, and POS/Oregano/Oxalic) decreased the mite viability. The most effective were the oxalic acid combinations (POS/Oregano/Oxalic, Oxalic/Oregano, POS/Oxalic), showing significant improvements compared to the individual products. These findings highlight the potential of combining organic products as a vital strategy for controlling V. destructor infection. This study suggests that these combinations could serve as essential tools for combating the impact of mites on bee colonies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bee Products: Status, Properties, Opportunities, and Challenges)

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Graphical abstract

12 pages, 1600 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Acceptance by Honey Bees of Wax Decontaminated through an Extraction Process with Methanol

by José Manuel Flores, Alba Luna, Antonio Rodríguez Fernández-Alba and María Dolores Hernando

Insects 2023, 14(7), 593; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14070593 - 30 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1082

Abstract

Honey bees face serious threats. These include the presence of the Varroa destructor mite in hives, which requires the use of acaricides to control. The constant recycling of old wax exacerbates the problem, and results in the accumulation of residues in the beeswax, which is a problem for the viability of the colony. The same happens with the accumulation of phytosanitary residues. In a previous study, we implemented an efficient wax decontamination method using a batch methanol extraction method. The present study evaluates the acceptance of the decontaminated wax by the bees for comb building, brood, honey and pollen containment. The results show a slight delay in the start of comb building and small changes were observed in the pharmacopoeia of the decontaminated wax compared to the original commercial wax. The slight delay in the acceptance of the decontaminated wax could be due to the loss of some components, such as honey residues, which usually appear in the wax. The addition of bee-attractive substances to the manufacturing process could help to mitigate the delay. The results suggest that the use of decontaminated wax is a good alternative to reduce the concentration of residues in hives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bee Products: Status, Properties, Opportunities, and Challenges)

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12 pages, 829 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Bioactive Value of Tamarix gallica Honey from Different Geographical Origins

by Ahmed G. Hegazi, Fayez M. Al Guthami, Mohamed F. A. Ramadan, Ahmed F. M. Al Gethami, A. Morrie Craig, Hesham R. El-Seedi, Inmaculada Rodríguez and Salud Serrano

Insects 2023, 14(4), 319; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14040319 - 27 Mar 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1618

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the bioactive value of Tamarix gallica honey samples collected from three countries. In total, 150 Tamarix gallica honey samples from Saudi Arabia (50), Libya (50), and Egypt (50) were collected and compared, based on the results of the melissopalynological analysis, their physicochemical attributes, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, and biochemical properties, together with their total phenolic and total flavonoid contents. Depending on the geographical origin, we observed different levels of growth suppression for six resistant bacterial strains. The pathogenic microorganisms tested in this study were Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. There was a strong correlation between the polyphenol and flavonoid contents, as well as significant (p < 0.05) radical scavenging activities. The melissopalynological analysis and physicochemical properties complied with the recommendation of the Gulf and Egyptian Technical Regulations on honey, as well as the Codex Alimentarius of the World Health Organization and the European Union Normative related to honey quality. It was concluded that Tamarix gallica honey from the three countries has the capacity to suppress pathogenic bacterial growth and has significant radical scavenging activities. Moreover, these findings suggest that Tamarix gallica honey may be considered as an interesting source of antimicrobial compounds and antioxidants for therapeutical and nutraceutical industries or for food manufacturers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bee Products: Status, Properties, Opportunities, and Challenges)

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Review

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17 pages, 960 KiB

Open AccessReview

Elucidating the Role of Honey Bees as Biomonitors in Environmental Health Research

by Katharina Sophia Mair, Johanna Irrgeher and Daniela Haluza

Insects 2023, 14(11), 874; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14110874 - 14 Nov 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1941

Abstract

Recently, the One Health concept, which recognizes the interconnectedness of environmental, animal, and human health, has gained popularity. To collect data on environmental pollutants potentially harmful to human health over time, researchers often turn to natural organisms known as biomonitors. Honey bees, in particular, prove to be exceptionally valuable biomonitors due to their capacity to accumulate pollutants from the air, soil, and water within a specific radius during their foraging trips. This systematic literature review summarizes the previous application of the bee species Apis mellifera in pollutant monitoring in articles published during the period of 2010–2020. Nineteen studies were included in this systematic literature review. Of these studies, the majority (n = 15) focused on the detection of heavy metals in honey bees and beehive products, while 4 studies focused on air pollution by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or particulate matter. The matrix most often applied was the whole honey bee. The included studies demonstrated that honey bees and hive products deliver quantitative and qualitative information about specific pollutants. In this regard, the whole honey bee was found to be the most reliable biomonitor. We found that the included studies differed in design and the methods used. Standardized studies could foster a more consistent interpretation of the levels detected in beehive matrices from an environmental health perspective. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bee Products: Status, Properties, Opportunities, and Challenges)

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