Characterization of the Bacterial Communities Inhabiting Tropical Propolis of Puerto Rico

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Apiculture
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Propolis, a resinous bee product, is known for antimicrobial properties.
• Recent findings suggest propolis harbors diverse microbes with antimicrobial potential.
• The microbial community of Africanized honeybee propolis remains largely undescribed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the bacterial community associated with propolis from Africanized honeybees in Puerto Rico.
• To investigate the potential contribution of propolis microbiota to its antimicrobial activity.

Main Methods:

• Propolis samples were collected from two distinct geographic areas in Puerto Rico.
• Bacterial microbiota were analyzed using cultivation-dependent and cultivation-independent (metabarcoding) methods.
• Antimicrobial activity of isolated bacteria and propolis extracts was tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Main Results:

• Metabarcoding revealed significant bacterial diversity and distinct community compositions between the two geographic areas.
• Cultivation and metabarcoding identified bacterial taxa consistent with those found in other hive components and the bees' environment.
• Both isolated bacteria and propolis extracts demonstrated antimicrobial activity.

Conclusions:

• This study provides the first description of the bacterial community in Africanized honeybee propolis from Puerto Rico.
• The propolis microbiota exhibits diversity influenced by geographic location and climate.
• The findings support the hypothesis that the propolis microbiome contributes to the overall antimicrobial efficacy of propolis.