Characterization of lactic acid bacteria isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of scaptotrigona mexicana and scaptotrigona pectoralis stingless bees

Abstract

Stingless bees play an essential role as pollinators and have economic and cultural importance for their honey production. In the last decades, there has been a decrease in their populations by multiple factors. Stingless bees engage in symbiotic relationships with many microorganisms, some of which benefit the host nutritionally and protect them from natural enemies. Lactic acid bacteria benefit the host, but their probiotic ability depends on their antimicrobial capacity. This study included isolating and characterizing eight strains of lactic acid bacteria from the gastrointestinal tracts of stingless bees (Scaptotrigona mexicana and Scaptotrigona pectoralis). The bacterial phenotypic profile and antimicrobial activity, in vitro, against the pathogen Paenibacillus larvae and other common pathogens of the isolated bacteria, were also investigated. It was found that Weisella sp, Fructobacillus tropaeoli, Fructobacillus fructosus, and Fructobacillus pseudoficulneus showed probiotic potential.