Research article

ISOLATION OF LACTOBACILLUS BACTERIA FROM THE STOMACH OF HONEY BEES AND THEIR EFFECT AS A PROBIOTIC IN INCREASING THE NUMBER OF BACTERIA.

Israa Jabr Dagher and Kamila Ward Shaher

Online First: February 22, 2023


This study was conducted in the apiary of the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Baghdad, and 15 hive of honey bees, Apisi smellifera, were selected. Lactobacillus bacteria were isolated from the stomach of honey bees and diagnosed phenotypically by conducting biochemical tests, then they were added to bee food to see their effect on increasing the numbers of bacteria and colonies. The local isolate was compared with the commercial preparation by adding it to a diet consisting of 10 gm of pollen to a sugar solution at a concentration of 1:1.The results of the phenotypic tests showed that the bacteria had circular colonies, with a convex diameter at the top, and white surfaces.Gram-positive bacteria, and physiological tests proved that the bacterium is anaerobic and unable to grow at temperatures of 5 and 15 C. While it grows at 45 °C, it also grows in a saline medium of 4% and 5%, while it does not grow in a saline medium of 6%.The results of the biochemical examination indicated that the bacteria are negative for catalase, do not consume citrate, do not produce ammonia from arginine, and have the ability to ferment sugars. Finally, results were shown. Counting the numbers of bacterial cells and colonies showed an increase in the number of cells and bacterial colonies isolated from the stomach of bees during feeding periods. The local isolate treatment achieved a concentration of 3% at the highest rate, as it reached at the end of the experiment 197.00 x 105 in2, then the treatment of the commercial preparation at a concentration of 3%. It reached 105 × 162.20 in2, then the local preparation treatment, a concentration of 1%, followed by the treatment of the commercial preparation, a concentration of 1%. This indicates that the concentration of 3% of the local isolate has achieved higher results in increasing the numbers of bacteria cells and colonies.

Keywords

Lactobacillus bacteria, stomach, honey bees, probiotic