Evaluating preservation effects on honeybee gut microbiota inocula.

ABSTRACT: The honeybee (Apis mellifera) gut microbiota serves as a model for host-microbe studies, as germ-free bees enable a relatively sterile system. Fresh gut homogenates are optimal for colonization, but immediate use may be limited by practical considerations, such as pathogen screening and the need to minimize repeated preparation for animal welfare. In this study, we systematically evaluated how short-term preservation conditions influence the colonization efficiency and structural integrity of the honeybee gut microbiota. Gut homogenates were prepared and either used immediately, refrigerated for one day or three days, or frozen for seven days with or without glycerol, before being fed to germ-free bees. Colonization outcomes were assessed by combining absolute quantification of bact

SUBMITTER: Wang K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12772278 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature