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 days3 7. The production of royal jelly involves a complex process where nurse bees consume pollen and nectar, which are then metabolized and secreted as royal jelly1 7.
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 jelly8. The secretion process is finely tuned, with pathways involved in protein synthesis and energy metabolism being highly activated to support the production of royal jelly8.
Nutritional Composition
Royal jelly is rich in proteins, carbohydrates, and fatty acids, which are its most abundant components1. 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 produce2. 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 compositions4.
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 glucose6. Similarly, the type of pollen consumed can affect the lipid composition of royal jelly, with different plant sources leading to variations in its nutritional profile2.
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 properties3 5. These properties make royal jelly a valuable substance in traditional medicine, health foods, and cosmetics3 5.
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
This paper presents two methods for producing royal jelly, storage, and freeze-drying, as well as methods for detecting and quantifying veterinary drugs and acaricides in royal jelly.
Effects of Bee Pollen Derived from Acer mono Maxim. or Phellodendron amurense Rupr. on the Lipid Composition of Royal Jelly Secreted by Honeybees
Feeding honeybees pollen from Acer mono Maxim. or Phellodendron amurense Rupr. significantly affects the lipid composition of royal jelly, with BP-Am pollen providing better nutritional balance and BP-Pa pollen affecting fatty acid contents.
Non-RCT
Animal StudyNew Insights into the Biological and Pharmaceutical Properties of Royal Jelly
Recent research advances on the bioactive compounds of royal jelly reveal potential health benefits for various diseases, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular, and Alzheimer's disease.
Highly CitedColony-level pesticide exposure affects honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) royal jelly production and nutritional composition.
Pesticide exposure in honey bee colonies negatively impacts royal jelly nutritional composition and quantity provided per queen, potentially impacting colony fitness and queen development.
Non-RCTAnimal StudyActive components and biological functions of royal jelly
Royal jelly, a bee product, plays a crucial role in maintaining human health by regulating immunity, lifespan, memory, digestive system, blood glucose, obesity, and having antibacterial and anti-cancer effects.
Effects of Sucrose Feeding on the Quality of Royal Jelly Produced by Honeybee Apis mellifera L.
Sucrose feeding has a minimal impact on the major components of royal jelly produced by honeybees, with only minor differences in amino acid levels and moisture content.
The chemical nature of royal jelly.
Royal jelly is a complex, milky substance secreted by nurse bees to provide essential nutrients for the queen bee, which is crucial for bee health and reproduction.
Highly CitedIn-depth Proteome of the Hypopharyngeal Glands of Honeybee Workers Reveals Highly Activated Protein and Energy Metabolism in Priming the Secretion of Royal Jelly.
High royal jelly producing bees (RJBs) have enhanced protein synthesis and energy metabolism in their hypopharyngeal glands, contributing to their stronger ability to produce royal jelly compared to Italian bees (ITBs).
A targeted approach for studying the effect of sugar bee feeding on the metabolic profile of Royal Jelly.
Artificial bee-feeding significantly alters the metabolic profile of Royal Jelly, affecting 27 out of 57 molecules identified as potential markers for quality control assessment.
Social Immunity in Honey Bees: Royal Jelly as a Vehicle in Transferring Bacterial Pathogen Fragments Between Nestmates.
Royal jelly in honey bees serves as a vehicle for transferring pathogen fragments between nestmates, potentially enhancing social immunity and promoting pathogen-resistance in offspring.
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