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Strategic seasonal nutritional supplementation improves honey quality, colony performance, immune response, and pest resilience in Apis mellifera in Bangladesh

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Seasonal nutritional scarcity is a major threat to sustainable apiculture particularly during dearth periods in Bangladesh. This study evaluated whether strategic nutritional supplementation during the dearth period could mitigate the carry-over effects of nutritional deficiency on colony performance, honey quality, pest infestation, and hygienic behavior of Apis mellifera during the subsequent mustard nectar-flow season. Twelve colonies were assigned to four treatments: Sugar syrup as control which is commonly used by beekeepers in Bangladesh, high protein-carbohydrate based formulation with soybean and yeast, balanced nutritional profile with locally available germinated lentil-based formulation, and the richest composite blend. Physicochemical analysis, colony performance metrics, and pest- and disease-associated indicators were assessed, and results showed treatment-dependent improvements with increasing nutritional complexity. The richest composite formulations showed the highest protein content (24.6%), total phenolic content (520 mg Gallic Acid Equivalent (GAE)/kg), and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity (68.9% inhibition), together with the highest observed Defensin-1 expression and favorable colony and pest related parameters relative to control. Compared with control, colonies receiving supplemented diets showed higher adult bee population, brood area and lower observed Varroa load. Partial economic analysis showed the highest benefit-cost ratio for high protein and carbohydrate blend (2.87), whereas richest composite blend produced the highest calculated net return (BDT 9,650). These findings indicate that strategic nutritional supplementation during the dearth period was associated with improved colony condition and more favorable health-related indicators during the subsequent nectar-flow period.

Source: Scientific Reports

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-77538-x

Authors: Anika Yesmin Sorna, Roni Chandra Saha, Mohammad Saiful Alam, Md Shamim Hossain, Md Mamunur Rahman

Institution: Gazipur Agricultural University

Language: English

Topic: Insect and Pesticide Research

Subfield: Insect Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,690