The Effect of Feeding and Harvesting Strategies on Honey Bee Venom Quantity and Quality

Honey bee venom (HBV) is a complex toxin produced by honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) for colony defense. While HBV shows promise for apitherapy and cosmetics applications, optimizing its production remains a crucial yet understudied challenge in apiculture. This study investigated the impact of supplemental feeding strategies and venom harvesting devices on both the quantity and quality of HBV. Four feeding groups (control, sugar syrup, base product and protein-enriched syrup) were established, and venom was harvested using three domestically produced harvesting devices. HBV quality, assessed via HPLC-UV for apamin, melittin, and PLA2 content, and color analysis, was significantly influenced by both diet and device. Protein-enriched feed increased venom quality, while sugar syrup increased quantity but dramatically lowered quality compared to the control. Among the harvesting devices, old generation ALMISLAR-I devices harvest significantly lower venom quantity and quality compared to the new generation ULTRABEE and APIMAK devices. Color analysis revealed a lighter venom color (7499-C) with the galvanized wire APIMAK device compared to the chromium wire devices. These findings highlight the importance of optimizing feeding strategies to avoid sugar syrup feeding and harvesting technologies to maximize the quantity and quality of HBV for therapeutic and cosmetic applications. By optimizing both bee diet and harvesting equipment, we can ensure the sustainable production of high-quality honey bee venom for research and therapeutic applications, while safeguarding bee health and promoting responsible apitherapy practices.