Apis

Analysis of Pollen Samples from Hungary Based on the INSIGNIA 2023 Programme

Etelka Rőzséné-Büki — Sun, 30 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In 2023, under the INSIGNIA-EU project, pollen samples were collected across 315 locations in 27 European Union countries over nine sampling rounds. In Hungary, 15 apiaries from different geographic regions participated in the nine sampling rounds. However, two apiaries were unable to collect samples during certain rounds, resulting in a total of 133 domestic samples being analysed and evaluated. The Hungarian baseline data allows for further and more detailed analyses at both the national level and by individual apiary, sampling period, and plant species. Apiaries from more than half of Hungary’s 19 counties—specifically, from 10 counties and the capital—contributed to the INSIGNIA 2023 programme.
Across the 15 apiaries and nine sampling rounds, 173 plant species were identified in the samples collected by bees. The number of species ranged from 36–60 per apiary and 22–69 per sampling round. A smaller proportion of these species were common across multiple apiaries. The maximum number of shared species per apiary was 13–16, and the minimum was 3–7. Similarly, during sampling periods, the maximum number of shared species was 10–16, and the minimum was 3–11. Of the 173 plant species identified, 133 provided nectar and 40 were nectarless species producing only pollen. Bees predominantly collected from nectarferious plants. In total, 31 species were common to all the apiaries, of which 19 provided nectar and 12 were nectarless.
The most frequently occurring species across all 15 apiaries included nectarferious cultivated agricultural plants such as Brassica napus, Brassica rapa, Helianthus annuus, and the nectarless herbaceous wild plant Plantago lanceolata (NN). These plant species included both short- and long-blooming varieties. By sampling period, the most frequently visited species were Chelidonium majus (NN), Plantago lanceolata (NN), Trifolium repens, and Papaver rhoeas (NN).
Within specific sampling periods, the highest quantities were observed for Brassica napus, Anthriscus cerefolium, Helianthus annuus, Papaver rhoeas (NN), Plantago lanceolata (NN), Robinia pseudoacacia, and Clematis vitalba (NN).
The plant species collected in the largest quantities varied by apiary:
⦁ Raphanus raphanistrum (Békéscsaba)
⦁ Phacelia tanacetifolia (Nagykovácsi)
⦁ Plantago lanceolata (NN) (Budafok, Újszentmargita, Drávafok, Nemesvita)
⦁ Papaver rhoeas (NN) (Zámoly, Pannonhalma, Páhi, Fertőendréd)
⦁ Papaver somniferum (NN) (Mezőfalva)
⦁ Brassica napus (NN) (Vizsoly, Murakeresztúr)
⦁ Helianthus annuus (Szalánta)
⦁ Ononis spinosa (Kiskunmajsa).
Significant plant species included Brassica napus, Plantago lanceolata (NN), Helianthus annuus, Papaver rhoeas (NN), Clematis vitalba (NN), Anthriscus cerefolium, Ononis spinosa, Phacelia tanacetifolia, Solidago gigantea, and Trifolium repens. Among species occurring in only one apiary, some were specific indicators of local regions, while others were cultivated agricultural plants potentially grown elsewhere, such as Amorpha fruticosa, Ballota nigra, Castanea sativa, Centaurea cyanus, Chelidonium majus (NN), Crepis setosa, Hypericum perforatum (NN), Lythrum salicaria, Melilotus albus, Papaver rhoeas (NN), Pisum sativum, Raphanus sativus var. oleifera, Sanguisorba officinalis (NN), Sinapis alba, and Tripleurospermum maritimum (likely Matricaria chamomilla).
Regionally, in 2023, the Southern Great Plain (Dél-Alföld) region’s three apiaries recorded the lowest number of plant species, while the highest diversity was observed in the apiaries of the Northern Hungary (Észak-Magyarország) region.

Organic Propolis from Uruguay: Developing a Methodology to Analyze its Volatile Components

Manuel Minteguiaga, Francisco Santurión, Eduardo Dellacassa — Sun, 30 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Propolis Volatile Components (PVCs) are key for the pleasant aroma of this bee product but also have demonstrated several biological activities. In Uruguay, only one report of PVCs has been published, without any specification of the origin and the production conditions.
In the present work, we analysed samples from an organic apiary in Rocha Province (eastern Uruguay) collected according to the Uruguayan official recommendations. Headspace sampling of 0.03 g of ground propolis was conducted at 50°C for 30 minutes using two different SPME sorbents (1: DVB/PDMS/Carboxen; 2: Polyacrylate). The extracted PVCs were then directly desorbed in the injector port of a GC-MS instrument. Two stationary phases (Rxi-5MS and Stabilwax-MS) were selected for conventional analysis, using optimized oven programs. Identification of PVCs was carried out by comparing mass spectra with commercial libraries and calculating linear retention indices (LRIs), using a C8-C20 alkane solution. Additionally, separation of chiral monoterpenes was achieved via eGC-MS (enantioselective) with an Rt-βDEXsm column (stationary phase composed of a modified β-cyclodextrin as chiral selector). Over 100 PVCs were detected, predominantly phenylpropanoids, benzenoids and terpenic compounds. Some key PVCs identified include α-pinene, benzyl alcohol, terpinen-4-ol, o-guaiacol, benzyl benzoate, spathulenol and β-selinene. The detection of trans-nerolidol suggests (at least in part) Baccharis dracunculifolia (Asteraceae) as the botanical origin of the samples, like Brazilian Green Propolis. Further studies on the chiral patterns of selected PVCs could enhance quality control, define potential markers and support origin certification of this product in Uruguay.

The Modern Development of Apitherapy: The Integration of Traditional Wisdom and Modern Technology — Taking the Global Promotion of 39 Apitherapy Network as an Example

Shan Jiang, Liming Wei, Yun Cui — Sun, 30 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Modern apitherapy has undergone a transformation from a traditional empirical therapy to a scientific and standardized medical practice. This article combs through the key breakthroughs in the research of pharmacological mechanisms, the expansion of clinical applications, and the industrial development of apitherapy since the end of the 19th century. Taking the Chinese 39 Apitherapy Network as the core case, it analyzes its strategic role in platform construction, the formulation of international standards, and talent cultivation.
The research shows that through integrating global resources and promoting cross-border cooperation, the 39 Apitherapy Network has significantly enhanced the academic authority and industrial competitiveness of apitherapy, providing a paradigmatic reference for the modernization of traditional medicine.

A Preliminary and Multidisciplinary Study: The Effect of “Sleeping on The Beehives” and Listening to Bees on Human Anxiety Levels

Yankı Tandırcıoğlu, Hakan Burak Acıkan, C. Can Bilgin — Sun, 30 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Apihouses are specialized wooden sheds designed to promote relaxation through sensory experiences associated with beehives, such as buzzing sounds and hive air, without direct interaction with bees. While anecdotal evidence suggests calming effects of this experience, scientific validation remains limited. This preliminary study evaluates the potential anxiety-reducing effects of apihouse experiences and bee buzzing sounds. 60 participants were randomly divided into two groups: one exposed to a real apihouse environment and the other to recorded bee buzzing sounds. Anxiety levels were assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Adults (STAI-AD) before and after exposure.
Sound analysis from the apihouse revealed peak frequencies ranging from 237 Hz to 416 Hz, with a mean of 274 Hz, consistent with non-aggressive, normal bee activity. Both groups demonstrated significant reductions in state and trait anxiety levels (p < 0.001), indicating that both the apihouse environment and bee buzzing sounds lead to anxiety alleviation on their own. Within its limitations, this study highlights the therapeutic potential of apihouses and sets the stage for future research to uncover their underlying mechanisms and broader applications in promoting holistic well-being. The observed reduction in anxiety levels paves the way for new research opportunities and suggests further research with a larger sample size and in a more isolated environment is necessary.

High concentrations of Spermidine in Drone Milk (Apilarnil)

Ingo Tausendfreund, Thomas Gloger — Sun, 30 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Spermidine is a biogenic amine. Spermidine induces autophagy and may extend life span, reduce dementia and other common diseases. Therefore, it gained popularity as a food additive derived e.g. from wheat germs. Drone milk or Apilarnil (ApiDrohn®) is a high value hive product extracted from the male larvae and conserved by lyophilisation.
Apilarnil is used in traditional apitherapy for versatile applications.
In this project the presence of Spermidine in Apilarnil (fresh/different-larva-stages/ dry-techniques/vehicle-solutions) was identified and quantified. A workflow was set up comprising an extraction procedure from the freeze-dried Apilarnil (supplied in high purity within Api-Zentrum Ruhr) and a liquid chromatography coupled with a high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometer (LC-ESI-QTOF).
Apilarnil in different stages of larva developmental age contains Spermidine in higher concentrations as in wheat germs. Furthermore, Apilarnil contains other bioactive amines and polyamines besides Spermidine. This is the first time that spermidine and several other biogenic amines have been definitely proven to be present in a bee product.
The spermidine content is another column for explanation the various health applications for Apilarnil in apitherapy and is most directly related to its health benefits, although further research has to be done. One of the next tasks will be to understand the synergy between the presence of different bioactive substances like Spermidine and typical hive products e.g. flavonoids.