Effect of Lactobacillus johnsonii CRL1647 on different parameters of honeybee colonies and bacterial populations of the bee gut.

2015-10-15
Beneficial Microbes 6(5)

PubMed: 25809216
DOI: 10.3920/BM2014.0155

Study Design

Population: Worker bees
Methods: Controlled experimental study

Abstract

Lactobacillus johnsonii CRL1647, isolated from the intestinal tract of a worker-bee in Salta, Argentina, was delivered to Apis mellifera L. honey bee colonies according to two different administration schedules: 1×10(5) cfu/ml every 15 days (2011) or monthly (2012). The effect of each treatment on the bee-colony performance was monitored by measuring honey production, and the prevalence of varroasis and nosemosis. Worker bees from each assay were randomly captured 3 days after administration and assayed for the following intestinal culturable and defined bacterial populations: total aerobic microorganisms, Bacillus spp. spores, Lactobacillus spp., Enterococcus spp. and enterobacteria. Interestingly, both treatments generated a similar increase in honey production in treated colonies compared to controls: 36.8% (every 15 days) and 36.3% (monthly). Nosema index always exhibited a reduction when lactobacilli were administered; in turn, Varroa incidence was lower when the lactobacilli were administered once a month. Moreover, the administration of L. johnsonii CRL1647 every 15 days produced an increase in the total number of aerobic microorganisms and in bacteria belonging to the genera Lactobacillus and Enterococcus; at the same time, a decrease was observed in the number of total spores at the end of the treatment. The number of enterobacteria was constant and remained below that of control hives at the end of the assay. On the other hand, the delivery of lactobacilli once a month only showed an increase in the number of bacteria belonging to the genus Lactobacillus; meanwhile, viable counts of the remaining microorganisms assayed were reduced. Even though it seems that both treatments were similar, those bee colonies that received L. johnsonii CRL1647 every 15 days became so strong that they swarmed.

Keywords: Lactobacillus johnsonii; apiculture; culturable microorganisms; honeybee; probiotic.

Research Insights

Supplement	Dose	Health Outcome	Effect Type	Effect Size	Source
Lactobacillus johnsonii LJ09	—	Enhanced Honey Production	Beneficial	Large	View source Interestingly, both treatments generated a similar increase in honey production in treated colonies compared to controls: 36.8% (every 15 days) and 36.3% (monthly).
Lactobacillus johnsonii LJ09	—	Increased Aerobic Microorganism Count Over 15 Days	Neutral	Small	View source Moreover, the administration of L. johnsonii CRL1647 every 15 days produced an increase in the total number of aerobic microorganisms.
Lactobacillus johnsonii LJ09	—	Increased Enterococcus Populations	Neutral	Small	View source the administration of L. johnsonii CRL1647 every 15 days produced an increase... in bacteria belonging to the genus Enterococcus;
Lactobacillus johnsonii LJ09	—	Increased Lactobacilli Populations	Beneficial	Moderate	View source the administration of L. johnsonii CRL1647 every 15 days produced an increase... in bacteria belonging to the genus Lactobacillus;...the delivery of lactobacilli once a month only showed an increase in the number of bacteria belonging to the genus Lactobacillus;
Lactobacillus johnsonii LJ09	—	Reduced Bacillus spp. Spore Count	Beneficial	Small	View source at the same time, a decrease was observed in the number of total spores at the end of the treatment.
Lactobacillus johnsonii LJ09	—	Reduced Enterobacteria Levels	Neutral	Small	View source The number of enterobacteria was constant and remained below that of control hives at the end of the assay.
Lactobacillus johnsonii LJ09	—	Reduced Nosema Incidence	Beneficial	Moderate	View source Nosema index always exhibited a reduction when lactobacilli were administered;
Lactobacillus johnsonii LJ09	—	Reduced Swarming Behavior	Neutral	Small	View source those bee colonies that received L. johnsonii CRL1647 every 15 days became so strong that they swarmed.
Lactobacillus johnsonii LJ09	—	Reduced Varroa Mite Incidence	Beneficial	Moderate	View source Varroa incidence was lower when the lactobacilli were administered once a month.
Lactobacillus johnsonii VPro 33	—	Enhanced Honey Production	Beneficial	Large	View source Interestingly, both treatments generated a similar increase in honey production in treated colonies compared to controls: 36.8% (every 15 days) and 36.3% (monthly).
Lactobacillus johnsonii VPro 33	—	Increased Aerobic Microorganism Count Over 15 Days	Neutral	Small	View source Moreover, the administration of L. johnsonii CRL1647 every 15 days produced an increase in the total number of aerobic microorganisms.
Lactobacillus johnsonii VPro 33	—	Increased Frequency of Bee Colony Swarming Events	Neutral	Large	View source Even though it seems that both treatments were similar, those bee colonies that received L. johnsonii CRL1647 every 15 days became so strong that they swarmed.
Lactobacillus johnsonii VPro 33	—	Increased Lactobacillus Population	Beneficial	Moderate	View source an increase in the total number of aerobic microorganisms and in bacteria belonging to the genera Lactobacillus and Enterococcus ... the delivery of lactobacilli once a month only showed an increase in the number of bacteria belonging to the genus Lactobacillus;
Lactobacillus johnsonii VPro 33	—	Reduced Bacillus spp. Spore Count	Beneficial	Small	View source at the same time, a decrease was observed in the number of total spores at the end of the treatment.
Lactobacillus johnsonii VPro 33	—	Reduced Nosema Index	Beneficial	Moderate	View source Nosema index always exhibited a reduction when lactobacilli were administered;
Lactobacillus johnsonii VPro 33	—	Reduced Varroa Incidence	Beneficial	Moderate	View source Varroa incidence was lower when the lactobacilli were administered once a month.