Fructophilic lactic acid bacteria: as probiotics of honeybees

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26850054
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Applied microbiology
• Research Institution: Tokyo University of Agriculture
• Principal Investigator: Endo Akihito 東京農業大学, 生物産業学部, 准教授 (90445685)
• Research Collaborator: ZENDO Takeshi 九州大学, 農学研究科, 助教 (50380556)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: フルクトフィリック乳酸菌 / 養蜂 / プロバイオティクス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In the present study, one of the predominant microbial group, fructophilic lactic acid bacteria (FLAB), were isolated from honeybee stomach. Our genome analysis revealed that the microorganisms, which inhabit in flowers and fruits as well, have adapted to their habitats at genomic level. We also found a FLAB strain which showed antagonistic activity against a honeybee foulbrood pathogen. Honeybees are important pollinators for crops, although a colony number of the honeybees is continuously decreasing in the world. This would be a possible trigger for global food crisis. The present study will be helpful to alleviate the crisis indirectly by health promotion of honeybees.

Free Research Field

応用微生物学