Abstract
We tested the effect of Chlorella sorokiniana, a green, unicellular, freshwater alga, provided as a food supplement on several biological characteristics of the honey bee Apis mellifera. Chlorella was applied as (1) a moisturized powder, (2) a sugar-water solution, or (3) mixed with honey-sugar candy. All three applications were well accepted by the bees. We observed a positive effect of Chlorella on colony development, and also on basic aspects of metabolism, such as increased fat deposition and vitellogenin transcript levels, and a decrease in TOR and InR2 transcript levels. The effect of Chlorella on other characteristics was lower (protein levels) or even null (total fat body mass, level of adipokinetic hormone). Application of Chlorella modulated the hypopharyngeal gland size, and the activity of basic digestive enzymes in the bee midgut. Our observations suggest that the nutritional composition of Chlorella might be an appropriate dietary supplement for honey bees.
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