Climatic Determinants of Physicochemical Traits and Probiotic Composition in Dwarf Honeybee (Apis florea) Honey

The presence of lactobacilli in honey is highly significant, primarily due to their potential to inhibit pathogens and confer antimicrobial properties. To investigate this, honey samples were collected from 40 Apis florea colonies situated across the southern, southeastern, and southwestern provinces of Iran. Initial screening involved Gram staining and catalase activity analysis of the isolated bacteria. Following genomic DNA extraction from these bacterial colonies, the 16S rRNA genes were amplified via polymerase chain reaction (PCR using LAB-specific primers (27F and 1492R)). This study successfully employed a targeted methodology to isolate 100 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains from A. florea honey. Subsequent phylogenetic analysis and phenotypic characterization led to the identification of 19 representative strains closely affiliated with three distinct species: Lactobacillus kunkeei, L. plantarum, and Enterococcus faecalis. Furthermore, the research highlighted the significant influence of climatic factors, such as temperature, precipitation, and sunlight exposure, on key biochemical indicators in A. florea honey. These factors markedly affected the levels of sucrose, proline, diastase activity, and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), underscoring the critical role of environmental conditions in shaping the honey's composition. Ultimately, the identification and isolation of probiotic strains from honey offer promising avenues for their application in functional foods and nutraceuticals. These potential probiotic candidates could contribute to advancement in gut health, food preservation, and the development of novel bioactive ingredients with diverse therapeutic applications.