Science updates: Brewers’ Spent Grain and bee feeding

 

Science updates:

Brewers’ Spent Grain and bee feeding

 

The study investigates the potential of using brewers' spent grain (BSG), a by-product of beer production, as a protein supplement in honey bee feed. The research is motivated by the need for sustainable protein sources for bee colonies, especially during seasons with limited pollen availability, which is crucial for the health and productivity of honey bees.

 

The study compares the effects of feeding honey bees with two types of BSG—from light beer and dark porter beer—against a control group fed with sugar cake and a group fed with pollen. The findings indicate that BSG, particularly from porter beer, can improve the protein content in the hemolymph of bees, although it does not fully match the protein levels achieved with pollen. This suggests that BSG could serve as a substitute protein source in honey bee diets.

 

 

The research also examines the impact of different protein sources on various biochemical markers in bee hemolymph, such as glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol, as well as the activity of enzymes like ALT, AST, ALP, and GGTP. The study finds that bees fed with diets containing 20% protein additives have higher survival rates than those fed with lower protein concentrations.

 

The study concludes that brewers' spent grain shows promise as an alternative plant protein source for honey bee feed. However, the authors suggest that further research, including field studies on bee colonies, is needed to fully understand the implications of incorporating BSG into beekeeping practices.

 

Reference:

Migdał, P., Wilk, M., Berbeć, E., & Białecka, N. (2024). Brewers’ Spent Grain as an Alternative Plant Protein Component of Honey Bee Feed. Agriculture, 14(6), 929.

 

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