Determination of Bacterial Diversity of Propolis Microbiota

Propolis is a natural resinous mixture produced by the excretions of honeybees. PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA gene region was achieved using DNA of pre-enriched propolis samples collected from Apis mellifera production hives (n=37) in Eastern Turkiye (Bingol and its regions). Next-generation sequencing and metabarcoding techniques were used to identify bacterial communities in propolis samples. Firmicutes dominated the phylum structure, with Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Tenericutes, and Spirochaetes following. The top three bacterial families were Bacillaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, and Enterococcaceae. Bacillus (dominantly B. badius and B. thermolactis at the species level) was recognized at the genus level, followed by Enterococcus and Clostridium sensu stricto. Our study comprehensively identified the bacterial diversity of propolis samples. Further investigations targeting to enlighten the microbiota of propolis and its potential application fields are required to gain better insight into ecological, nutritional, and medicinal perspectives.

Automated summary

PCR amplification and next-generation sequencing were utilized to identify the bacterial communities in propolis samples collected from Apis mellifera production hives in Eastern Turkiye. Firmicutes were found to be the dominant phylum, followed by Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Tenericutes, and Spirochaetes. Bacillaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, and Enterococcaceae were the top three bacterial families, with Bacillus being the dominant genus. Further investigation is needed to understand the microbiota of propolis and its potential applications from ecological, nutritional, and medicinal perspectives.