Influence of Some Factors on Propolis Dilution by Honey Bees

Abstract

Propolis is a sticky resinous substance collected from buds, leaves, stems of wild plants and processed by bees. Currently, bee behaviour during the collection of propolis, its botanical origin and sources of production have been studied. The process of propolis accumulation in bee nests and the factors influencing the intensity and productivity of bee colonies need to be further studied, which will allow to control the propolis productivity of bees in the future. To better understand the behavior of bees when liquefying propolis with enzymes from the mandibular glands, we conducted studies using specially designed collectors. Three different types of mesh were used in the collectors: ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyethylene, and nylon. All three types of meshes had different hole diameters. As a result of the study, we determined the diameter of propolis droplets formed in all collectors, deviations from roundness, and the distance at which the droplets fly away from the edge of the glass substrates. We conclude that the type of mesh materials does not influence the behavior of bees in liquefying propolis. The size of the mesh holes affects the distance from the edge of the glass substrate to the centre of the propolis drops.