A scientific note on the first report of honeybee venom inhibiting Paenibacillus larvae growth

FERNANDEZ NJ; PORRINI MP; PODAZA EA; DAMIANI N; GENDE LB; EGUARAS MJ

APIDOLOGIE

EDP SCIENCES S A

Lugar: Paris; Año: 2014 p. 719 - 721

0044-8435

Honey bee venom (BV) and venom glands have been recently reported as an important source of antimicrobial peptides. Despite these broad spectrum antimicrobial effects, information about the effects of BV on infectious pathogens of honey bees is previously absent from the literature. It is a preliminary approach about an alternative and natural substance for American Foulbrood control. Results showed that very low concentrations of BV are required to inhibit P. larvae vegetative cells growth. The minimal inhibitory concentration values ranging from 3.12 to 8.33 µg/ml, and minimal bactericidal concentration values of 4.16 to 10.42 μg/mL. No lethal or behavioral effects on worker bees after a week of BV ingesting were registered. This paper is the first report on honeybee venom antimicrobial activity against P. larvae and on its effect on the survival of bees fed on it.