Search Results (32)

Royal jelly (RJ), a secretion from nurse bees, is a key factor in honeybee caste differentiation and a high-value product in apitherapy. Despite its economic and biological importance, factors affecting its yield and composition remain insufficient. This study investigated the impact of grafted larval age and sex and the collection day of RJ on its yield and physicochemical characteristics. Three independent experiments were conducted using strong Apis mellifera L. colonies. Larvae of different ages (first, second, and third) were grafted, and RJ was harvested 24, 48, and 72 h post grafting. Additionally, worker and drone larvae were used to assess the effect of larval sex. RJ was analyzed for moisture, protein, sugar, and 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-had) content. Results showed that RJ yield significantly increased with collection day, with the third day being optimal. Protein content declined over time, while moisture content rose, although sugar levels and 10-HDA remained stable. Second-day larvae yielded the highest RJ volume without affecting composition. Larval sex did not significantly influence either RJ yield or composition. The results of this study may provide valuable insights into the quality determinants of royal jelly, enabling beekeepers to optimize production for both enhanced royal jelly yield and the rearing of higher-quality queen bees. Full article

10-Hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA), a major fatty acid (FA) component of royal jelly, is synthesized in the mandibular glands (MGs) of worker honeybees. Despite its well-documented nutritional and therapeutic significance, the biosynthetic pathway and regulatory mechanisms of 10-HDA production remain largely unresolved. In this study, the molecular basis of 10-HDA biosynthesis and regulation in the MGs of newly emerged bees (NEBs), nurse bees (NBs), and forager bees (FBs) were investigated using RNA sequencing and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). A five-step biosynthetic pathway for 10-HDA was proposed, and cross-species analysis of Apis mellifera and A. cerana revealed the conserved expression patterns of 15 key enzymes involved. Functional validation via RNA interference (RNAi) demonstrated that knockdown of acyl-CoA Delta(11) desaturase (d11ds, LOC551527), a key enzyme in FA desaturation, led to a 50% reduction in 10-HDA levels. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis further identified transcriptional regulators Kay and Drep-2 as potential modulators of 10-HDA metabolism. This study provides the first comprehensive mechanistic model of 10-HDA biosynthesis in honeybee MGs and highlights the labor-specific regulation of FA metabolism. These findings offer promising genetic targets for improving the royal jelly quality through genetic technology. Full article

This study quantifies the market values, or implicit prices, of honey quality features (e.g., organic and origin information, package-related features) and floral varieties for supporting beekeepers in differentiating their products to escape from price competition characterizing the Italian honey market. The research employed a sample of sales data, 660 observations collected from the Italian market, and a hedonic price model, estimated via Ordinary Least Squares, to assess the implicit prices of honey characteristics. A high premium price was recorded for honey with added royal jelly and propolis, as well as for “100% Italian” honey. In contrast, moderate price premiums were recorded for Protected Designation of Origin and organic honey. Furthermore, the floral varieties used largely affected the product price: the highest premium prices were estimated for the Manuka, Kanuka, and Tawari floral varieties. Price premiums above +50% were estimated for floral varieties such as Strawberry tree, Pine, Cistus, Tree of Heaven, Sainfoin, Marruca, and Solidago. Results suggest that honey quality features and some floral varieties can effectively differentiate products, supporting beekeepers to achieve higher revenues. This study offers empirical evidence of the extent to which floral varieties and other product characteristics affect the market price of honey using a dataset of secondary data, with the aim to support producers to improve their competitive position in the market. Full article

Bee products, such as honey, bee pollen/bread, bee propolis and royal jelly foraged or secreted by honeybee workers, have been consumed by humans for many years and are important due to their complexity, the large number of them and the endemicity of their constituents. The health-promoting activities of bee products are widely documented all around the world. However, we have noticed a distinct but poorly described feature of bee products: groups of functionally opposite components (FOCs) related to blood sugar level, oxidative stress, cell membrane cholesterol distribution, cell membrane stability, cell membrane curvature, allergic reaction, cellular sodium influx and cardiac apoptosis that exist within these products. We then propose the Equivalence Index in order to overcome the challenges associated with FOCs; this is a concise mathematical model that can be used to optimize the evaluation of quality, determine any underlying mechanisms and provide processing guidance regarding bee products. Full article

The bioaccumulation of pesticides in honeybee products (HBPs) should be studied for a number of reasons. The presence of pesticides in HBPs can provide new data on the risk related to the use of pesticides and their role in bee colony losses. Moreover, the degree of contamination of HBPs can lower their quality, weaken their beneficial properties, and, in consequence, may endanger human health. The aim of this study was to quantify a broad range of pesticide residues in three different HBPs—bee pollen, propolis, and royal jelly. Samples were collected in the years 2017–2019 from the apiary in west-central Poland. Bee products were analyzed for the presence of over 550 pesticides using the QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) method. Twenty-nine of the contaminants were quantified at least in one of the samples. Nine of them exceeded the maximum residue levels for honey. It should be noted that any dose of pesticides can cause a health hazard due to toxicity, since these substances may act synergistically. This current study revealed the high need for the pesticide monitoring of HBPs and proved that there is a need to expand the European Union Pesticides Database to include more HBPs. Full article

Royal jelly is a substance secreted by the hypopharyngeal and mandibular glands of nurse honey bees, serving as crucial nutritional source for young larvae, queen honey bees, and also valuable product for humans. In this study, the effect of the feed supplements on the nutritional composition and qualities of royal jelly was investigated. Two types of royal jelly samples were acquired: one from honey bees fed with sugar syrup as a feed supplement and the other from honey bees fed with honey. The production, harvesting, and storage of all royal jelly samples followed standard procedures. Parameters for quality assessment and nutritional value, including stable carbon isotopic ratio, moisture content, 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA) level, carbohydrate composition, amino acid composition, and mineral contents, were analyzed. The results revealed that despite variability in moisture content and carbohydrate composition, fructose was lower (2.6 and 4.1 g/100 g as is for sugar-fed and honey-fed royal jelly, respectively) and sucrose was higher (7.5 and 2.7 g/100 g as is for sugar-fed and honey-fed royal jelly, respectively) in the sugar-fed group. The stable isotope ratio (−16.4608‰ for sugar-fed and −21.9304‰ for honey-fed royal jelly) clearly distinguished the two groups. 10-HDA, amino acid composition, and total protein levels were not significantly different. Certain minerals, such as potassium, iron, magnesium, manganese, and phosphorus were higher in the honey-fed group. Hierarchical analysis based on moisture, sugar composition, 10-HDA, and stable carbon isotopes categorized the samples into two distinct groups. This study demonstrated that the feed source could affect the nutritional quality of royal jelly. Full article

Royal jelly is a secretion produced from the hypopharyngeal glands of worker bees, which requires significant pollen reserves to stimulate gland secretion. The natural sources of food available to the hive during beekeeping season can greatly affect the quantity and quality of produced royal jelly. In this study, samples of royal jelly were collected throughout the beekeeping season, and their physical and chemical characteristics were analyzed to understand how natural variations in bee diet affect royal jelly production. Before each sample collection, the bees’ food reserves were removed from the experimental colonies so that the royal jelly was produced solely from natural sources. The results showed that the production was significantly lower during the summer months compared with spring and autumn. Additionally, the moisture, protein, fructose, and glucose content of fresh royal jelly also showed significant changes in the summer, and all physical and chemical characteristics decreased when the fresh samples were converted into dry matter. It seems that the quality of pollen entering the hives has a direct impact on the physical and chemical properties of the final product, highlighting the crucial role of available resources in stimulating bees to produce royal jelly. Full article

Long coronavirus disease (COVID) syndrome leads to chronic inflammatory state onset that can have a multisystem impact and compromise organ function. Moreover, long COVID syndrome is often characterized by the presence of chronic fatigue, which affects subjects’ daily activities and worsens their quality of life. The aim of our double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial (protocol code RS 150.21, approved on 4 November 2021) was to evaluate the beneficial effects of the consumption of 2 cps/day, for two months, of an oral food supplement (OFS), based on Echinacea angustifolia, rosehip, propolis, royal jelly and zinc, in long COVID patients, compared to a two-month placebo period. The OFS’s vitamin C content was equal to 22.17 mg/g (8.87 mg/capsule). The OFS’s total polyphenol content was 43.98 mg/g gallic acid equivalents. At the end of the in vivo study, we highlighted a significant decrease in the inflammatory parameters in the OFS period, compared to the placebo period (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, p = 0.0455; monocyte to-lymphocyte ratio, p = 0.0005; C-reactive protein, p = 0.0145). Our study also highlighted a significant increase in vitamin D serum values (p = 0.0005) and, at the same time, an improvement in patients’ life quality and a reduction in fatigue, monitored by the fatigue severity scale. This study showed the OFS’s beneficial effects on the inflammatory state, fatigue and quality of life in long COVID patients. Full article

The mandibular gland in worker bees synthesizes and secretes the organic acids present in royal jelly, and its development directly affects yield and quality. Therefore, we aimed to analyze the differences in morphology and gene expression in the mandibular glands of Apis mellifera carnica worker bees of different ages (3, 6, 9, 12, and 16 d). We dissected their mandibular glands and performed morphological and transcriptomic analyses to investigate the development of the mandibular gland and the molecular regulatory mechanisms involved in royal jelly secretion. Microscopy revealed that mandibular gland development is likely completed in the early stages. There were no significant differences in the structural morphology or organelles involved in the secretion of royal jelly at different ages. Transcriptomics revealed a total of 1554 differentially expressed genes, which were mainly involved in fat metabolism, lipid transport, and energy metabolism. The extracellular matrix–receptor interaction pathway was significantly enriched and contributed to the royal jelly secretion process. These results elucidate the genetic basis of the role of the mandibular gland in royal jelly secretion in A. mellifera and provide a reference for the genetic improvement of bees with high royal jelly production in the future. Full article

The glands of bees are responsible for generating and secreting various biologically active substances that significantly impact bee physiological health and adaptability. This study aimed to investigate the effects of adding citric acid (CA) to bee feed on gland development and royal jelly quality. By formulating feed with varying proportions of CA, evaluation was undertaken of pollen feeding by honeybees under laboratory conditions, along with the impact of CA on the development of major glands, to determine suitable addition proportions. Further optimization of the CA proportion involved feeding colonies and evaluating royal jelly production and quality. The results indicated that feed containing 0.75% CA significantly extended the lifespan of bees and increased their pollen consumption. Gland development in bees showed a positive correlation with CA addition within the range of 0.25% to 0.75%, especially at 0.50% and 0.75%, which notably accelerated the development of mandibular, hypopharyngeal, and cephalic salivary glands, with active proliferation and differentiation of glandular cells and maintenance of normal gland size and morphology. CA added to feed stimulated vigorous secretion of wax glands in worker bees, resulting in prolific wax construction. Colonies consuming feed containing 0.50% CA produced royal jelly with significantly reduced moisture and total sugar content and increased levels of 10-HDA, total phenolic acids, total proteins, and acidity. These findings demonstrate that CA consumption significantly prolongs bee lifespan, increases consumption, promotes gland development, and enhances royal jelly quality. This research provides theoretical guidance for beekeeping practices and feed development, contributing to the sustainable advancement of apiculture. Full article

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of royal jelly and fermented soy extracts on menopausal symptoms and on quality of life in pre- and post-menopausal women. Materials and method: This prospective observational study was carried out in a Clinical Hospital of Brasov, Romania, during June 2020 and December 2021. Eighty pre- and post-menopausal women, aged between 45 and 60 years, were included in two groups. The first group (40 women) received a dietary supplement with fermented soy extract twice a day for eight weeks and the second group (40 women) received the same dietary supplement with fermented soy extracts and 1500 mg of royal jelly capsules for eight weeks. After the treatment, the MENQOL score, DASS-21 score, and the mean number and intensity of daily hot flushes were recorded and compared with baseline values. Results: After eight weeks of treatment, the score of the MENQOL questionnaire and all its domains’ scores decreased in comparison with the baseline in both groups (p < 0.001). Also, the DASS-21 score (p < 0.001), depression score (p < 0.001), anxiety score (p < 0.001), and stress score (p < 0.001) improved. The mean number and the intensity of hot flushes decreased in both groups (p < 0.001). Comparing these variables after the treatment in both groups, we observed that the women who received dietary supplements with fermented soy extracts and royal jelly capsules recorded better scores for MENQOL (vasomotor, physical, and psychosocial domains) and a more reduced mean number of daily hot flushes. Conclusions: This observational study suggests that both dietary fermented soy supplements and royal jelly capsules possess beneficial effects against menopausal symptoms, increase the quality of life in pre- and post-menopausal women, and that the effects might be significantly improved if those dietary supplements are administered in association. Full article

Young workers, i.e., nurse honey bees, synthesize and secrete royal jelly to feed the brood and queen. Since royal jelly is a protein-rich substance, the quality of royal jelly may be influenced by the consumption of feed with varying protein content. We tested whether honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies compensates for the nutritional quality to produce royal jelly by feeding different pollen patties made of oak or rapeseed pollen. After harvesting royal jelly, we examined the chemical composition including proximate nutrients, amino acids, proteins, fatty acids, and minerals of royal jelly samples obtained from two treatments. The results revealed that pollen patties with different nutritional levels did not influence the nutritional composition except for the crude fat. The levels of 10-HDA, which serves as an indicator of the royal jelly quality, showed no significant difference between the oak and rapeseed treatments, with values of 1.9 and 2.1 g/100 g, respectively. However, we found some differences in the protein intensity, particularly the MRJP3 precursor, MRJP3-like, and glucose oxidase. This study suggests that honey bees may have mechanisms to compensate for nutritional standards to meet the brood’s and queen’s nutritional requirements during bee pollen collection, preserving bee bread and royal jelly secretion. Full article

The mass rearing of high-quality queen bees is an essential beekeeping practice for producing new queens to maintain colony productivity. A strain of high royal-jelly-producing bees (RJBs; Apis mellifera ligustica) in China exhibits high potential for the rapid mass rearing of queens. To explore the potential changes in the quality of mass-reared queens, a set of morphometric traits and the sealed brood area were compared between the queens reared from 64 and 320 queen cells in RJB colonies. The increase in the queen cell number was found to induce a slightly but significantly reduced body weight and smaller wing length and thorax width in the reared queens at emergence. However, the ovariole number and sealed brood area, an indicator of the queen fecundity, were not observed to be significantly influenced. With respect to body weight and ovariole number, all the reared queens satisfied the current criteria for high-quality queens. Our findings provide evidence for the efficient mass production of high-quality queens using RJB colonies. Full article

Bee products have a millennia-old tradition in human apitherapy, thanks to their numerous curative properties. The aim of this study was to perform a physicochemical characterization, including the percentage of water content, dry matter, pH, acidity, impurity content, protein, ash, and macro and micro minerals, and to evaluate the antioxidant activity of apiculture products, including apilarnil, royal jelly, and propolis. Samples were collected from our apiary in the Banat region of Romania in 2022 as well as from the market. Apilarnil and royal jelly were analyzed in pure and freeze-dried form, and propolis in pure and tincture form. Our results show that there is a large variability in the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the three bee products studied, depending on the form of presentation and source of origin. In the case of commercial bee products, the best results were obtained in terms of chemical composition, including the content of macro and micro nutrients. All the samples analyzed showed acidity, pH, and impurity content values within the limits allowed by the quality standards. Apilarnil from our own apiary recorded the highest values for antioxidant activity, followed by propolis tincture and fresh propolis from own apiary. Full article

Royal jelly (RJ) is a highly nutritious secretion of the honeybees’ hypopharyngeal glands (HPGs). During RJ production, colonies are occasionally subjected to manual interventions, such as sucrose feeding for energy supplementation. This study aimed to assess the impact of sucrose feeding on the composition of RJ. The results indicated that RJ obtained from sucrose-fed colonies exhibited significantly higher levels of fructose, alanine, glycine, tyrosine, valine, and isoleucine compared to the honey-fed group. However, no significant differences were observed in terms of moisture content, crude protein, 10-HDA, glucose, sucrose, minerals, or other amino acids within the RJ samples. Moreover, sucrose feeding did not have a significant effect on midgut sucrase activity, HPGs development, or the expression levels of MRJP1 and MRJP3 in nurse bees. Unsealed stored food samples from sucrose-fed bee colonies demonstrated significantly higher sucrose levels compared to sealed combs and natural honey. Additionally, natural honey exhibited higher moisture and Ca levels, as well as lower levels of Zn and Cu, in comparison to honey collected from bee colonies fed sucrose solutions. Based on these findings, we conclude that sucrose feeding has only a minor impact on the major components of RJ. Full article