Li Xin-Meng, Wang Ying, Lei Li, Zhang Ge, Xu Bao-Hua
Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Non-Grain Feed Resources (Co-Construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Efficient Feeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China.
Insects. 2025 May 8;16(5):505. doi: 10.3390/insects16050505.
The nutritional value of pollen for honeybees varies significantly depending on its source. This study examines the nutrient composition of three types of bee-collected pollen-Maize bee-collected pollen (MBP), Lotus bee-collected pollen (LBP), and Sunflower bee-collected pollen (SBP)-and their effects on honeybee digestion, immunity, and gut microbiota. Nutritional analysis revealed no significant differences in moisture, protein, and carbohydrate content among the three pollen types. However, sunflower bee-collected pollen exhibited a significantly lower crude fat content than maize bee-collected pollen and lotus bee-collected pollen, while lotus bee-collected pollen had a significantly higher crude ash content than the other pollen types. Additionally, notable differences in amino acid composition were observed across the three pollen types. Feeding assays demonstrated that honeybees consumed significantly more sunflower bee-collected pollen than maize bee-collected pollen or lotus bee-collected pollen. Honeybees fed sunflower bee-collected pollen exhibited reduced lipid deposition, enhanced immune enzyme activity, and increased expression of immune-related genes. Protein digestibility was highest in honeybees fed lotus bee-collected pollen, whereas protease and lipase activities were significantly lower in those consuming sunflower bee-collected pollen. Notably, honeybees fed sunflower bee-collected pollen had thinner midgut intestinal walls. Furthermore, the microbial structure of the honeybee gut was altered depending on the type of different pollen. In summary, honeybees had the worst digestibility of Sunflower bee-collected pollen; sunflower bee pollen had a greater effect on antioxidant and immune functions, and intestinal flora of honeybees. These findings underscore the influence of different types of pollen on honeybee nutrition, immunity, and gut microbiota, offering a foundation for optimizing pollen diets to support honeybee health.
花粉对蜜蜂的营养价值因来源不同而有显著差异。本研究考察了三种蜜蜂采集的花粉——玉米蜜蜂采集花粉（MBP）、莲花蜜蜂采集花粉（LBP）和向日葵蜜蜂采集花粉（SBP）的营养成分，以及它们对蜜蜂消化、免疫和肠道微生物群的影响。营养分析表明，这三种花粉在水分、蛋白质和碳水化合物含量上没有显著差异。然而，向日葵蜜蜂采集花粉的粗脂肪含量明显低于玉米蜜蜂采集花粉和莲花蜜蜂采集花粉，而莲花蜜蜂采集花粉的粗灰分含量明显高于其他花粉类型。此外，三种花粉的氨基酸组成也存在显著差异。饲喂试验表明，蜜蜂食用向日葵蜜蜂采集花粉的量明显多于玉米蜜蜂采集花粉或莲花蜜蜂采集花粉。饲喂向日葵蜜蜂采集花粉的蜜蜂脂质沉积减少，免疫酶活性增强，免疫相关基因表达增加。饲喂莲花蜜蜂采集花粉的蜜蜂蛋白质消化率最高，而食用向日葵蜜蜂采集花粉的蜜蜂蛋白酶和脂肪酶活性明显较低。值得注意的是，饲喂向日葵蜜蜂采集花粉的蜜蜂中肠肠壁较薄。此外，蜜蜂肠道的微生物结构因不同花粉类型而改变。总之，蜜蜂对向日葵蜜蜂采集花粉的消化率最差；向日葵蜂花粉对蜜蜂的抗氧化和免疫功能以及肠道菌群有更大影响。这些发现强调了不同类型花粉对蜜蜂营养、免疫和肠道微生物群的影响，为优化花粉日粮以促进蜜蜂健康提供了依据。
