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Prospects of probiotics in beekeeping: a review for sustainable approach to boost honeybee health

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Abstract

Honeybees are vital for global crop pollination, making indispensable contributions to agricultural productivity. However, these vital insects are currently facing escalating colony losses on a global scale, primarily attributed to parasitic and pathogenic attacks. The prevalent response to combat these infections may involve the use of antibiotics. Nevertheless, the application of antibiotics raises concerns regarding potential adverse effects such as antibiotic resistance and imbalances in the gut microbiota of bees. In response to these challenges, this study reviews the utilization of a probiotic-supplemented pollen substitute diet to promote honeybee gut health, enhance immunity, and overall well-being. We systematically explore various probiotic strains and their impacts on critical parameters, including survival rate, colony strength, honey and royal jelly production, and the immune response of bees. By doing so, we emphasize the significance of maintaining a balanced gut microbial community in honeybees. The review also scrutinizes the factors influencing the gut microbial communities of bees, elucidates the consequences of dysbiosis, and evaluates the potential of probiotics to mitigate these challenges. Additionally, it delineates different delivery mechanisms for probiotic supplementation and elucidates their positive effects on diverse health parameters of honeybees. Given the alarming decline in honeybee populations and the consequential threat to global food security, this study provides valuable insights into sustainable practices aimed at supporting honeybee populations and enhancing agricultural productivity.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thanks Department of Biosciences (UIBT) and Department of Agriculture (UIAS) for the excellent infrastructural support.

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  1. Department of Biosciences (UIBT), Chandigarh University, Mohali, 140413, India

    Smriti, Anita Rana & Gagandeep Singh

  2. Department of Agriculture (UIAS), Chandigarh University, Mohali, 140413, India

    Garima Gupta

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S has made a substantial contribution to the design/writing of this manuscript, its analysis and data interpretation. 2. AR along with GS drafted the article and revised it critically for important intellectual content; 3. AR and GG finally approved the version to be published.

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Smriti, Rana, A., Singh, G. et al. Prospects of probiotics in beekeeping: a review for sustainable approach to boost honeybee health. Arch Microbiol 206, 205 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-024-03926-4

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