Effect of Organic Acids and Probiotics on Growth of Apis mellifera Workers

In the present investigation, effects of organic acids and probiotics on growth of Apis mellifera workers were studied under different experimental conditions. Significant weight gain was observed in workers of the experimental group 8 (pollen + Bacillus clausii in 50 % (w/v) sucrose in distilled water), group 9 (pollen + B. clausii in 50 % (w/v) sucrose in 2.99 % lactic acid), group 12 (pollen + Lactobacillus brevis in 50 % (w/v) sucrose in distilled water) and group 14 (pollen + L. brevis in 50 % (w/v) sucrose in 2.91 % acetic acid). The weight gain values (mg) for the experimental groups 8, 9, 12 and 14 appeared as 138.87 +/- 6.50, 131.50 +/- 4.35, 124.08 +/- 5.28 and 127.82 +/- 2.32, respectively in comparison to control's 119.90 +/- 9.50. Significant increase in body lengths of workers in the experimental groups 8, 9 and 11 (pollen + B. clausii in 50 % (w/v) sucrose in 1.96 % acetic acid) showing mean length values (mm) as 15.33 +/- 0.67, 15.75 +/- 0.25 and 15.33 +/- 0.33, respectively in comparison to control's 14.67 +/- 0.33. Similarly, somewhat unexpected, and significant increase in forewing length was also noticed while observing the workers of treatment groups 8 and 12 (pollen + L. brevis in 50 % (w/v) sucrose in distilled water) showing forewing length values (mm) as 6.75 +/- 0.09 and 6.55 +/- 0.04, respectively in comparison to control's 6.53 +/- 0.09. Workers belonging to the experimental groups 1 to 7 depicted insignificant results. Conclusively, api-promotor properties of organic acids and probiotics recommend their use in modern honeybee feeds.

Automated summary

Effects of organic acids and probiotics on the growth of Apis mellifera workers were studied. The results showed that under specific experimental conditions, organic acids and probiotics significantly increased the weight and body length of workers.