How do bees make royal jelly?
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How Do Bees Make Royal Jelly?
Royal Jelly Production Process
Royal jelly is a unique secretion produced by honey bees, specifically by the hypopharyngeal and mandibular glands of nurse bees. This substance is crucial for the development of queen bees and is also fed to young larvae during their initial days . The production of royal jelly involves a complex process where nurse bees consume pollen and nectar, which are then metabolized and secreted as royal jelly .
Role of Hypopharyngeal Glands
The hypopharyngeal glands (HPGs) of nurse bees are highly active in protein and energy metabolism, which is essential for the secretion of royal jelly. These glands develop well in nurse bees, enabling them to produce the necessary proteins and other components of royal jelly. The secretion process is finely tuned, with pathways involved in protein synthesis and energy metabolism being highly activated to support the production of royal jelly.
Nutritional Composition
Royal jelly is rich in proteins, carbohydrates, and fatty acids, which are its most abundant components. The specific lipid composition of royal jelly can vary depending on the type of pollen consumed by the bees. For instance, bees fed with pollen from different plant sources exhibit variations in the phospholipid and fatty acid contents of the royal jelly they produce. Additionally, the nutritional quality of royal jelly can be influenced by external factors such as pesticide exposure, which can alter its metabolome, proteome, and phytosterol compositions.
Impact of Diet on Royal Jelly Quality
The diet of honey bees significantly impacts the quality of royal jelly. Studies have shown that feeding bees with sucrose can lead to higher levels of certain amino acids in royal jelly, although it does not significantly affect other major components like moisture, protein, and glucose. Similarly, the type of pollen consumed can affect the lipid composition of royal jelly, with different plant sources leading to variations in its nutritional profile.
Biological and Pharmaceutical Properties
Royal jelly is not only vital for bee development but also possesses numerous bioactive compounds that have various health benefits. It contains proteins, peptides, fatty acids, and phenolics, which contribute to its antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-aging, and immunomodulatory properties . These properties make royal jelly a valuable substance in traditional medicine, health foods, and cosmetics .
Conclusion
In summary, royal jelly is a complex secretion produced by the hypopharyngeal and mandibular glands of nurse bees. Its production is influenced by the bees' diet and environmental factors, which can affect its nutritional composition and quality. Royal jelly's rich composition of proteins, lipids, and bioactive compounds not only supports the development of queen bees but also offers significant health benefits, making it a highly valued natural product.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Standard methods for Apis mellifera royal jelly research
Effects of Bee Pollen Derived from Acer mono Maxim. or Phellodendron amurense Rupr. on the Lipid Composition of Royal Jelly Secreted by Honeybees
New Insights into the Biological and Pharmaceutical Properties of Royal Jelly
Colony-level pesticide exposure affects honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) royal jelly production and nutritional composition.
Active components and biological functions of royal jelly
Effects of Sucrose Feeding on the Quality of Royal Jelly Produced by Honeybee Apis mellifera L.
The chemical nature of royal jelly.
In-depth Proteome of the Hypopharyngeal Glands of Honeybee Workers Reveals Highly Activated Protein and Energy Metabolism in Priming the Secretion of Royal Jelly.
A targeted approach for studying the effect of sugar bee feeding on the metabolic profile of Royal Jelly.
Social Immunity in Honey Bees: Royal Jelly as a Vehicle in Transferring Bacterial Pathogen Fragments Between Nestmates.
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