Issue Date
2025
Abstract
Temperature stress can influence the composition and stability of microbial communities associated with bees; however, some lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains demonstrate tolerance to such environmental stresses, allowing them to persist and remain functionally active under challenging conditions. This study aimed to isolate and identify LAB associated with honeybees that are capable of surviving exposure to high temperatures. A total of 196 bee samples were processed under unheated and heat-treated conditions (80 °C for 10 min) to selectively recover thermotolerant bacteria. Cultivation on Yeast Glucose Starch Agar supplemented with nalidixic and pipemidic acid favored the growth of LAB under oxygen-limited conditions while suppressing Gram-negative contaminants. Thirty-six catalase-negative, Gram-positive isolates—comprising 24 bacilli and 12 cocci—were non-sporulating, unable to grow in nutrient broth, and exhibited facultative anaerobic growth. Fermentative activity was confirmed in de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe broth containing 0.02% sodium azide, with 34 isolates showing homofermentative metabolism and two demonstrating heterofermentation. Four representative isolates, each originating from a different bee species, were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Pediococcus acidilactici, Levilactobacillus brevis, and Enterococcus faecalis, all with ≥99% sequence similarity to known type strains. These findings highlight the diversity of LAB capable of surviving high temperature exposure in bee- associated environments and provide a foundation for future studies on their potential applications in various industrial processes.
Source or Periodical Title
UP Los Baños Journal
ISSN
0117-1461
Volume
23
Issue
1
Page
120-136
Document Type
Article
College
College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
Language
English
Subject
Honeybees, Stingless bees, Lactic Acid Bacteria
Recommended Citation
Oliquiano, Sean Derrick M.; Sabino, Noel G.; and Zamora, Renard M., "Isolation and identification of lactic acid bacteria from bee body parts surviving high temperature exposure" (2025). Journal Article. 6501.
https://www.ukdr.uplb.edu.ph/journal-articles/6501