Biotechnological Approach for Development and Characterization of Protein Feed for Melipona quadrifasciata

Patrícia Miranda-Pinto (), Jullio Kennedy Castro Soares, Irys Hany Lima Gonzalez, Yuri Ribeiro Diogo, Lívia Soman de Medeiros, Luciana Chagas Caperuto, Patrícia Locosque Ramos, Tiago Maurício Francoy and Michelle Manfrini Morais ()
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Patrícia Miranda-Pinto: Graduate Program in Biotecnology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 09972-270, Brazil
Jullio Kennedy Castro Soares: Graduate Program in Chemical Biology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 09972-270, Brazil
Irys Hany Lima Gonzalez: Coordenadoria de Fauna Silvestre, Secretaria de Meio Ambiente, Infraestrutura e Logística do Estado de São Paulo, São Paulo 05459-900, Brazil
Yuri Ribeiro Diogo: Graduate Program in Biotecnology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 09972-270, Brazil
Lívia Soman de Medeiros: Graduate Program in Chemical Biology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 09972-270, Brazil
Luciana Chagas Caperuto: Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 09972-270, Brazil
Patrícia Locosque Ramos: Coordenadoria de Fauna Silvestre, Secretaria de Meio Ambiente, Infraestrutura e Logística do Estado de São Paulo, São Paulo 05459-900, Brazil
Tiago Maurício Francoy: Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades-Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 03828-000, Brazil
Michelle Manfrini Morais: Graduate Program in Biotecnology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Diadema 09972-270, Brazil

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 2, 1-15

Abstract: Stingless bees are vital pollinators in tropical and neotropical regions, emphasizing the need to conserve these species. However, resource scarcity, particularly pollen, during certain periods negatively impacts bee health and pollination efficiency. To address this, we developed a fermented protein feed using microorganisms from pollen of Melipona quadrifasciata, a species commonly found in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The fermented feed consisted of a protein bran mixture, sugar syrup, and an inoculant derived from species’ fermented pollen. To assess the feed quality, nutritional evaluation and metabolomic analyses were conducted (UHPLC/DAD-HRMS/MS and GC-MS). The metabolomic analysis identified 85 compounds in positive and 102 in negative ionization modes. Shared metabolites, such as isoquercetin and palatinose, highlighted similarities between the feed and natural fermented pollen. Laboratory tests with caged bees showed comparable consumption between the feed and fermented pollen with no statistical difference (mean: 0.067 g vs. 0.060 g; p = 0.53). The feed exhibited a favorable pH transition (5.30 pre-fermentation to 4.41 after the fermentation process) and remained stable for six months at ±2 °C. These findings demonstrate a biotechnological advance in stingless bee nutrition, offering a viable solution during resource scarcity and promoting the health of M. quadrifasciata .

Keywords: fermented feed; fermentation; pollen; stingless bee; metabolomics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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