Indian Bee Research Articles

Anticancerous Properties of Tetragonula travancorica (stingless bee) Honey on Reproductive Cancer Cells

Honey from stingless bee is highly regarded as a medicine in many global communities due to its nutritional and therapeutic value. There is a comparatively restricted amount of research on the biological characteristics of stingless bee honey (SBH) in contrast to Indian bee honey (IBH). Therefore, the objective of this research is to explore the anti-cancer properties of Tetragonula travancorica honey. In the present investigation, antioxidant activity of honey was evaluated using ABTS, DPPH and SOD radical scavenging assays. Anti-proliferative effects was examined on various cell lines using the MTT assay. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS) analysis was employed to characterize the honey. Binding capabilities of compounds identified in SBH on estrogen receptors (ER) α and ER β were explored through Schrödinger Maestro software. Results indicated that SBH effectively scavenged ABTS, DPPH and SOD free radicals with IC50 values of 22, 36.15, and 79.85 v/v, respectively. SBH exhibited anti-proliferative activity against MCF-7 and HeLa cell lines, with IC50 values of 58.11 and 66.68 v/v, respectively. LCMS analysis, shows the presence of methyl syringate, 2-hydroxycinnamic acid, and fumaric acid in SBH which were not present in IBH. Docking experiments determined that these compounds, with the exception of fumaric acid, interacted stronger with the binding sites of ER β than ER α. The comprehensive findings from antioxidant, anti-proliferative, and docking studies underscore the potential anti-cancer properties of Tetragonula travancorica honey, particularly its heightened cytotoxicity against reproductive system cancer cell lines, such as those in the breast and cervix. Keywords : Anti-proliferative, estrogen receptor, stingless bee, cytotoxicity.

Evaluation of first-generation Indian bee, Apis cerana indica colonies raised from breeder colonies by grafting method

Evaluation of first-generation Indian bee, Apis cerana indica colonies raised from breeder colonies by grafting method

Multiple Honey Harvesting Strategy - migratory Beekeeping in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, India

Commercial beekeeping in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry depends on Indian bee, Apis cerana indica. The State had occupied first position in honey production in the country until 1990’s. In commercial beekeeping, migration has assumed really important dimensions. Our results demonstrated that total brood area reached the highest area of 1286.86 cm2 at January II at Puducherry site and lowest brood area at May II (527.38 cm2) at Chidambaram sites. Similarly, a significant difference was noticed in the mean total brood area, pollen area and queen prolificacy between the different migratory sites. Pollen area (cm2) was 155.22±7.88 to 272.56±9.61 cm2. The largest fortnightly mean pollen area was in February I (272.56±9.61 cm2) at Puducherry site, while the lowest was in June II (165.46±7.30 cm2) Chidambaram site. Egg laying area peaked in January II (297.81±4.75 cm2) at Puducherry site and rapidly declining through February, March, and April to reach its lowest point in May II (122.05±4.26 cm2) at Chidambaram site. In contrast, a non-significant difference was observed in nectar area and honey yield at different migratory sites (P>0.05). Current findings add to our understanding the honey yield was high in all the migratory sites without any differences by the way multiple honey harvest was possible in migratory beekeeping practices.

Standardization of Mass Queen Rearing Techniques in Indian Honey Bees

Indian honey bee (Apis cerana indica F.) is present throughout our country except in the plains of north India. The queen bee is the mother of the colony, which rules over workers. As it is the source of all the hereditary characters, the colony can be improved by producing a goodquality queen. Even though biologically similar to A. mellifera, there were no ample studies on queen rearing in Indian bees than Italian bees. To unveil artificial queen rearing technique, queen cell cup size, type, and quality of the priming material were optimized based on acceptance and adult emergence. Queen cell cups of different sizes viz., 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, and 7 mm in diameter, were used. Among them, 7 mm diameter cup showed the highest larval acceptance (28.33%) and adult emergence (25%). Priming media viz., water priming, royal jelly priming, diluted royal jelly priming, honey priming, and honey + royal jelly priming were fed to the colonies. Among them, diluted royal jelly showed the highest acceptance with 29.2% and adult emergence of 27.1% followed by, royal jelly (16.7% and 12.5%), honey + royal jelly (10.4% and 6.5%), honey (8.3% and 4.2%), and water (2.1% and 2.1%) respectively. The queen cell cups were prepared artificially from plastic cups too. But they were not readily accepted by worker bees. Hence, it is important to standardize queen rearing methodology in A. cerana indica in order to multiply a large number of queens and supply superior-character queens to the beekeepers in India

Role of Entomophily and Artificial Pollination in Enhancing Quality and Yield of Seed Onion (Allium cepa L.) in Indian Himalayas

Abstract Onion (Allium cepa L.) is a highly cross pollinated crop that needs insect pollination (entomophily) for optimum seed set. In the present study, more than 120 insect species were noted to visit onion flowers, out of which fifty-nine species were collected through in-situ sampling technique and identified up to species level. The Indian bee (Apis cerana indica) was the most abundant insect pollinator visiting onion flowers in the study location. The pollination behaviour and foraging activity of A. c. indica were assessed, and the pollen foragers were observed to be swift flyers visiting a significantly higher number of flowers per minute during the peak flowering period and spending less time per flower (3 seconds) to collect nectar from deep seated nectaries of the flowers. The seed yield enhancement assessed through entomophily and artificial pollination methods showed that the open pollinated flowers recorded the highest yield statistically, followed by A. c. indica and A. mellifera pollinated flowers. However in artificial pollination treatments, sponge puff pollinated flowers recorded significantly high seed yield per hectare and percentage seed set per umbel, followed by camel brush, hand gloves (cloth) and hand gloves (rubber). In conclusion, all the cross pollination treatments were statistically significant on the closed pollination treatment concerning to the entire yield parameters calculated.

A modern way of treating bee families against varroaatosis

In the USSR, the gamase mite Varroa jacobsoni (Oudemans) was first found on Middle Indian bees (Apis cerana F.). Mites from this bee species have also spread to the species Apis mellifera L. In the plans for breed testing introduced in all apiaries of the USSR, bee queens and packages with bees from the Far East infected with varroaatosis appeared. In a short time, the infestation has appeared in all apiaries from Vladivostok to Brest. Numerous medicines are now produced for various bee diseases, which are used uncontrollably for treatment and prophylaxis. Each drug carries a great danger if it enters the human body with food. What harms the parasite will also harm the host. Therefore, all medicines weaken the immunity of bees, making them even more vulnerable. The Department of Biology, Bioresources and Aquaculture at Novosibirsk State Agrarian University has for the firsttime developed methods of treating bees without the use of drugs. Varroatosis was controlled by heat treatment. During the thermal treatment of the apiary, 200 to 1,000 mites were counted per apiary. The average mite incidence in an apiary was 2.82 % (0.35 to 8.5 %). The results of the thermal treatment of bee colonies have shown that it is a labour-intensive treatment, but it is available to every farmer and beekeeper and can be used effectively against mites and viruses even in production apiaries where there is no special room. We have found that viral diseases are spread by the mite and that this process is exacerbated by unfavourable conditions.

Toxicity of Insecticides on Indian Honey Bee Apis cerana indica F. and Stingless Bee Tetragonula iridipennis S. in Cashew

The contact toxicity of insecticides used in the cashew ecosystem viz., thiamethoxam, carbosulfan, buprofezin, lambdacyhalothrin, imidacloprid, chlorpyriphos and profenophos were evaluated against Indian bee Apis cerana indica F., and stingless bee Tetragonula iridipennis S. under laboratory conditions. It was observed that buprofezin caused the least mortality of 21.48 and 19.91% with A. cerana indica and T. iridipennis, respectively; chlorpyriphos led to maximum mortality of 100% to with both the bees, and thus highly toxic at 24 hours after treatment (HAT). Imidacloprid led to >70% mortality with both the bee species at 24 HAT, while it varied from 40 to 60% the bees with thiamethoxam, carbosulfan and lambda cyhalothrin at 24 HAT.

Hindistan'da Acı Kabak Yetiştirme Sisteminde Bakılmış Arı Tozlayıcısının (Apis cerana indica) Yayılma Faaliyetleri

Honey bees play an important role in crop pollination of bitter gourd flowers. An experiment was conducted at Coimbatore District to observe the foraging activity and pollination efficiency of Indian bee (A. cerana indica) in Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.). The foraging activity and number of foragers/ flower/ min was recorded in male and female bitter gourd flower. Bitter gourd fruit set and yield was assessed under three conditions pollinator exclusion, bee pollination and open pollination. No. of foragers/ flower/ minute (abundance of pollinators) and floral handling time in seconds (foraging rate) of Indian bees recorded on male flower (0.88 bees) and (6.52 sec) was higher than in female flower (0.57 bees) and (3.61 sec) respectively. The peak foraging activity of A. cerana indica noticed between 08:00-10:00 hours with 1.2 foragers/ 5 mins. Pollination efficiency index of Indian bee was 747035.5. Foraging activity at the hive entrance was maximum at 08:00 to 10:00 hours. Colony growth parameter of A. cerana indica was increased 67.85% in respect of the sealed honey area and 15.07% in respect of the adult population. The results of pollination studies show, the number of fruits/plant (17.4 fruits) and fruit yield per hectare (41.13 t/ha) was higher in managed bee pollinated plot than to open pollination condition (16.2 fruits) and (37.25 t/ha) and no fruit set was recorded in pollination exclusion condition.

Impact of Insecticides and Bioagents on Indian Bee Apis Cerana Indica F.

Honey bees are subjected to several risks caused by synthetic and organic pesticides. Hence, this study evaluates through a laboratory experiment, the safety of some pesticides used in organic and inorganic farming. The workers of Indian (Asiatic) bee Apis cerana indica F. were subjected to contact and oral (feeding) bioassays. The results revealed that in the contact toxicity study treatment with thiamethoxam at 0.3g/ ml resulted in maximum mortality while, the least mortality was with B. thuringiensis @ 4g/ l. In the oral (feeding) toxicity study, neem oil soap with pungam oil soap (1:1 ratio) at 10% concentration exhibited maximum oral toxicity.

Effect of Bhramari Pranayama on Healthy People

Bhramari Pranayama (Bee Breath) may be a respiratory exercise; it's additionally referred to as buzzing (black Indian bee) sound of bee. Ashatang Yoga is eight limb of the Yoga as delineate in Yoga Sanskrit literature by maharishi patanjali. And Pranayama is one amongst the fourth branch of Ashatang yoga. (Yama Niyama Aasana Pranayama Pratyahara Dyana Dharana Samadhi). My gift critical review is relating to Bhramari Pranayama. Bhramari Pranayama is one amongst the kind of pranayama as delineate in Ha th Yoga Pradipika and Gherand Veda. Bhramari Pranayama helpful|is helpful} in person and it's useful for physical and psychological state. Regular exercise of Pranayama (breathing technique) can end in to calm body and mind, by creating them stress free and happy. Bhramari Pranayama is effective in instantly cooling down the brain and creating them free from the agitation, frustration, anxiety, and anger. it's an easy technique we are able to do anyplace, reception or at work place additionally. it's the terribly straightforward thanks to unharness our stress appreciatively

Mexican creeper, Antigonon leptopus Hook. and Arn : An effective bee forage plant to conserve honey bee

Decline in honey bee populations has become a matter of concern and their conservation is very essential to sustain essential ecosystem services. They provide making available continuous supply of floral resources is of immense value in conserving honey bees. The effectiveness of an ornamental creeper, Antigonon leptopus Hook. & Arn as a sustainable bee forage plant was evaluated. It attracts four major native species of honey bees viz., Apis cerana, A. florea, A. dorsata and Tetragonula iridipennis. The wild little bee, A. florea was the most dominant forager followed by the Indian bee, A. cerana. The plant is amenable for easy multiplication through seeds as well as cuttings and meets both aesthetic and ecological needs. Using Antigonon, different studies related to honey bees like assessing species diversity, foraging behaviour, temperature driven shifts etc. can be carried out. Popularising perennial bee flora like Antigonon would help in conserving honey bees in both natural and urban habitats. Since Antigonon attracts all species of honey bees throughout the year, it could be utilized as a potential bioindicator of honey bee populations in a given environment.

Mexican creeper, Antigonon leptopus Hook. and Arn : An effective bee forage plant to conserve honey bee


 
 
 Decline in honey bee populations has become a matter of concern and their conservation is very essential to sustain essential ecosystem services. They provide making available continuous supply of floral resources is of immense value in conserving honey bees. The effectiveness of an ornamental creeper, Antigonon leptopus Hook. & Arn as a sustainable bee forage plant was evaluated. It attracts four major native species of honey bees viz., Apis cerana, A. florea, A. dorsata and Tetragonula iridipennis. The wild little bee, A. florea was the most dominant forager followed by the Indian bee, A. cerana. The plant is amenable for easy multiplication through seeds as well as cuttings and meets both aesthetic and ecological needs. Using Antigonon, different studies related to honey bees like assessing species diversity, foraging behaviour, temperature driven shifts etc. can be carried out. Popularising perennial bee flora like Antigonon would help in conserving honey bees in both natural and urban habitats. Since Antigonon attracts all species of honey bees throughout the year, it could be utilized as a potential bioindicator of honey bee populations in a given environment.
 
 

Screening of Indian bee pollen based on antioxidant properties and polyphenolic composition using UHPLC-DAD-MS/MS: A multivariate analysis and ANN based approach

The present investigation aims to examine the polyphenolic composition and antioxidant capacity of bee pollen samples procured from various regions of India. Total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid (TFC) content ranged from 15.50 ± 1.25–25.63 ± 1.42 mg GAE/g and 9.72 ± 0.28–15.61 ± 0.74 mg RE/g, respectively. Coriander pollen showed the significantly (p < 0.05) higher antioxidant activity than other samples, demonstrated by DPPH radical scavenging activity (93.75 ± 0.05%), ferric reducing antioxidant power (103.98 ± 0.82 mmol Fe2+/g), ABTS+• radical scavenging activity (96.58 ± 0.65%) and metal chelating activity (84.62 ± 4.37%). The observed antioxidant properties were strongly correlated with TPC and effectively predicted using artificial neural network. Sixty polyphenolic compounds including 38 flavonoids and derivatives, 21 phenolic acid and derivatives and one glucosinolates were identified using UHPLC-DAD-MS/MS wherein the presence of daidzein and sinigrin was acknowledged for the first time. Further, principal component analysis identified three principal components, illustrating 91.24% of total variation to differentiate the pollen samples which were also classified by hierarchical cluster analysis.

New record of a small carpenter bee, Ceratina compacta Smith (Hymenoptera: Apidae) from India

The biodiversity survey of small carpenter bees for two years (2014–15) in Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, resulted in a new record, Ceratina (Ceratinidia) compacta Smith (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Ceratinini) from India. Earlier, C. compacta was known from the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, China and Bangladesh; now this record in India shows the range expansion of this bee among Asian countries. Foraging and nesting resources are illustrated here with some important diagnostic characters of C. compacta. This new addition to Indian bee fauna will promote the conservationists and researchers for further study of this species in the future.

Influence of bee pollination on quality and quantity of onion (Allium cepa L.) seed

The activity of bees pollination in onion was observed throughout the day. Numerically maximum activity was observed during afternoon hours (12.00 to 2.00 PM) with 7.00 numbers in rock bee, 5.40 in Indian bees, 11.60 in little bees and 7.80 in case of dammer be, respectively. Among the four species of bees, little bees were more in entire day with highest of 111.60 bees/10 inflorescence/ minute followed by dammer bee with 9.40 bees/10 inflorescence/ minute, Among the bees major contributor was little bee, this may be due to more colonies of little bees in that area and destruction of rock bee colonies. Also, the bee acitivty was observed maximum number at 100 per cent flowering stage. The observations on number of seeds per umbel, 1000 seed weight and per cent germination under the laboratory conditions. The results clearly indicated that, maximum number of seeds per umbel was observed in open pollinated flowers with 339.30 ± 60.27 seeds per umber where all the four species of bees were made visits regularly followed by in case of pollination in mesh cloth cage with bees with 330.00±35.80 and very least number of seed set was observed in case of pollination in mesh cloth cage without bees with only 60.70 seeds/umbel. Similarly, 1000 seed weight also differed significantly in case of pollination with bees and without bees. In case of with bees it weighed around 3.37 g/1000 seeds followed by 3.10 g/1000 seeds in onion with bee cage and least in case of control with only 1.97 g/1000 seeds.

Indigenous technology in beekeeping of stingless bees (Trigona SPS.) by locals of south Goa, India

In India Honeybees viz., Apis cerana indica (Indian bee), Apis mellifera (Italian bee), Apis dorsata (Rock bee), Apis florea (Little bee) and Trigona sps. (Stingless bee) are observed pollinating different crops. Apis cerana indica (Indian bee or Satode muha mus) is scientifically domesticated by Goan locals considering its role in pollination as well as honey production. However, Trigona sps. (konyatale muha mus) is domesticated by few local Goans in south Goa with indigenous technology which is inherited from their ancestors. This study was done to understand indigenous technology to rear (Trigona sps.) stingless bee which is unque and not used in other honeybee species. The present findings also give importance to evolve commercial strategies to extract pure natural honey from Trigona sps. and conservation of stingless bee. Locals of South Goa have developed technology to rear stingless bees in earthen pots, bamboo poles, areca nut poles and wooden logs. Stingless bees build a comb made up of propolis, mud and about 300-400 g pure honey per colony per year. Due to medicinal value the honey produced by Trigona sps., fetches good price in the range of Rs.2000 to 3000 per kg of honey.

Evaluation of toxicity of emamectin benzoate 5 wg to honey bees

SUMMARY Laboratory studies were carried out to assess the contact toxicity of emamectin benzoate 5 WG to workers of Indian bee, Apis cerana indica and Italian bee, Apis mellifera. Emamectin benzoate 5 WG to Indian bees showed that there was no mortality in emamectin benzoate 5 WG @ 100 and 125 g/ha, while emamectin benzoate 5 WG @ 150 g/ha caused 10.00 per cent at 6 (Hours after Treatment) HAT, and it increased to 6.67, 16.67 and 23.33 per cent, respectively after 24 HAT. However, standard insecticides lufenuron 5 EC @ 600 ml/ha, chlorantroniliprole 18.5 SC @ 150 ml/ha and spinosad 45 SC @ 125 ml/ha caused increased mortality of 30.00, 50.00 and 70.00 per cent, respectively. The mortality increased as the time of exposure increased from 6 to 24 HAT. Similar trend was also observed in Italian bees. Hence, emamectin benzoate 5 WG considered could be highly safe to both the species of honey bees than standard insecticides.

Identification And Quantification Of Chemical Constituents From Indian Bee Propolis Extracts Using HPTLC And UHPLC-DAD-MS

Bee propolis is a resinous, gummy and balsamic material collected from flora by honey bees (Apis mellifera L. belongs to Apidae family). Bee propolis is official in the United States Pharmacopeia and natural health product monograph Canada (USP. 2009), (Health Canada 2009). The main phytoconstituents reported to have been isolated from the bee propolis are polyphenolics, chalcone, triterpenes, coumarins, aromatic acids and their esters [1, 2]. The reference standards caffeic acid (1), trans-ferulic acid (2), p-coumaric acid (3), quercetin (4), luteolin (5), Naringenin (6), apigenin (7), kaempferol (8), Pinocembrin (9), caffeic acid phenethyl ester [CAPE] (10), chyrsin (11), pinobanksin-3-O-acetate (12) acacetin (13) and galangin (14) were used to develop an HPTLC chemical fingerprint profile and UHPLC-DAD-MS method for quantification of chemical constituents (1 – 14) from Indian Bee Propolis extracts and dietary supplements. Seven bee propolis extracts and 14 dietary supplements claiming to contain bee propolis extracts were analyzed. Content of chemical constituents (1 – 14) varied from 0.01 – 9.58 mg/100 mg extract and 0 – 14.06 mg/day for bee propolis extracts and dietary supplements respectively. The results indicated that commercial products are of variable quality.

Quality evaluation of Indian bee (Apis cerana indicaF.) honey in perception to enhance market potentiality

The commonly cultivated honey from the Indian bees (Apis cerana indica F.) was selected in the raw unprocessed form to study its physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant property. Various physiochemical parameters like moisture, electrical conductivity, acidity, hydroxy methyl furfural content and sugar profile were analyzed and compared with the composition criteria of honey set by EU Directive. It was found that Indian bee honey has acceptable quality limits so that it can be upgraded to the European markets. The radical scavenging activity of honey tested using DPPH assay showed that its percentage radical scavenging activity was 95.55% at 500µg concentration (p< 0.05). Hence due to the high therapeutic potential it can also be utilized in the food industries as a functional food ingredient.

Foraging Behaviour of Different Honeybees on Sunflower – A Comparative Study

Sunflower is a bee loving crop. The foraging behaviour of Apis dorsata L. was studied in comparison with Indian bee (A. cerana indica) and stingless bee (Trigona sp.) on this crop. A.dorsata outnumbered the other two bee species on capitulum after anther dehiscence during all the three stages of blooming. A. dorsata population varied at different hours of the day showing a bimodal distribution. The foragers were active from 10.00 to 11.00 am in the forenoon and 2.00 to 3.00 pm in the afternoon. Foraging behaviour showed distinct variation according to the floral reward collected. A.dorsata alone was found to tap the nectar fully due to its longer lapping tongue. Exclusive pollen collectors were rare. Majority of the foragers collected both pollen and nectar. Exclusive nectar foragers intentionally discarded the pollen load before final take off. Rains adversely affected the time of commencement and cessation of foraging. Among all the bee species studied, A.dorsata was the best pollinator of sunflower based on pollinator efficiency index. Wild honey bees like A.dorsata have to be conserved in crop ecosystem where planned pollination with hive bees is not in vogue.