Honeybees have developed many unique mechanisms to help ensure the proper maintenance of homeostasis within the hive. One method includes the collection of chemically complex plant resins combined with wax to form propolis, which is deposited throughout the hive. Propolis is believed to play a significant role in reducing disease load in the colony due to its antimicrobial and antiseptic properties. However, little is known about how propolis may interact with bee-associated microbial symbionts, and if propolis alters microbial community structure. In this study, we found that propolis appears to maintain a stable microbial community composition and reduce the overall taxonomic diversity of the honeybee microbiome. Several key members of the gut microbiota were significantly altered in the absence of propolis, suggesting that it may play an important role in maintaining favourable abundance and composition of gut symbionts. Overall, these findings suggest that propolis may help to maintain honeybee colony microbial health by limiting changes to the overall microbial community.

中文翻译：

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在蜂胶存在下，蜜蜂的微生物组是稳定的。

蜜蜂已经开发出许多独特的机制来帮助确保蜂巢内稳态的适当维持。一种方法包括收集化学复合的植物树脂和蜡，形成蜂胶，将其沉积在整个蜂巢中。蜂胶由于其抗菌和防腐特性，被认为在减少菌落中的疾病负担中起着重要作用。但是，关于蜂胶如何与蜜蜂相关的微生物共生体相互作用以及蜂胶是否改变微生物群落结构，人们知之甚少。在这项研究中，我们发现蜂胶似乎可以维持稳定的微生物群落组成，并减少蜜蜂微生物组的总体分类学多样性。在没有蜂胶的情况下，肠道菌群的几个关键成员发生了显着变化，提示它可能在维持肠道共生体的丰度和组成中起重要作用。总体而言，这些发现表明蜂胶可以通过限制整个微生物群落的变化来帮助维持蜜蜂菌落的微生物健康。