Biopolymer production by bacteria isolated from native stingless bee honey, Scaptotrigona jujuyensis

The products of stingless bees have been used in traditional medicine. These products have gained economic potential not only for their historical valuation but also to produce added value related to the knowledge of the qualities of their indigenous microbiota. The isolates from honey and pollen of Scaptotrigona jujuyensis, a stingless bee from Northern Argentina were studied. These were able to produce hydrolytic enzymes: protease, amylase, xylanase, cellulose, and lipase, and growing in bile salts. The isolate 4A was identified as a Bacillus sp. and was able to produce extracellular exopolysaccharides (EPS). The carbohydrate composition of EPS consisted predominantly of fructose (44.6%). Structural characterization of EPS using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed high similarity with levan. The EPS showed antimicrobial activity and the capacity to form emulsion hydrogels with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) from ray liver oil and chia oil. The prebiotic property of Lactobacillus casei was evaluated with EPS and its mix with omega-3 PUFA. L. casei, showed better growth. Thus, an EPS with emulsifying hydrogel capacity and prebiotic activity was produced from the native microbial flora present in the honey of a stingless bee, which could be an added-value product of the S. jujuyensis colony used as a new nutraceutical.

Automated summary

The study revealed that isolates from honey and pollen of stingless bees in Northern Argentina are able to produce various hydrolytic enzymes, with one isolate identified as Bacillus sp. Additionally, these isolates can produce antimicrobial exopolysaccharides (EPS) and are capable of forming emulsion hydrogels with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Evaluation of prebiotic properties on Lactobacillus casei showed better growth in the presence of EPS and its mix with omega-3 PUFA.