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Lotmaria passim (L. passim) is a single-celled flagellate which colonises the bee gastrointestinal tract and is highly prevalent in honey bees. This parasite is associated with colony losses. Honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies were sampled from five apiaries in the north-eastern part of Poland for the phylogenetic analysis of L. passim. Each apiary consisted of approximately 60 bee colonies, of which 20 were randomly selected. Samples of 60 differently aged worker bees were collected from each colony and pooled. A total of 100 bee colonies from five apiaries were examined. Protozoa of the Trypanosomatidae family were identified by PCR. L. passim was detected in 47 (47%) of the samples. The 18S ribosomal (r) RNA amplicons of L. passim were sequenced by a commercial service. Their sequences were analysed with BLASTN and noted to be compatible with the GenBank sequences of this region of the organism's genome. A sequence analysis was performed using the BioEdit Sequence Alignment Editor and Clustal W software. The amplicon sequences of L. passim were 100% homologous with the sequences deposited in GenBank under accession numbers KM066243.1., KJ684964.1 and KM980181.1. This is the first study to perform a phylogenetic analysis of L. passim in Polish honey bees. The analysis demonstrated high levels of genetic similarity between isolates of L. passim colonising apiaries in the north-eastern region of Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bee products from urban apiaries are increasingly used. They are mainly used to promote local apiaries and cities in which they are located. The aim of the study was to compare the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of propolis from 6 Polish apiaries located in cities (Legionowo, Torun, Cracow, Warsaw, Katowice, Lodz). The chemical composition was analyzed using liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD) and the analysis of antioxidant activity by scavenging free radicals (ABTS and DPPH) and FRAP. The obtained results showed the presence of 24 phenolic compounds in propolis extracts. The tested samples showed differentiation in terms of the content of individual chemical components, however, cinnamic acid and its derivatives were dominant. High antioxidant activity of the tested extracts was demonstrated (ABTS was in the range of 16.80–51.53 mg Te/mL, DPPH was in the range of 7.54–22.13 mg Te/mL, while FRAP reduction was in the range of 10.93–29.55 mg Te/mL). The obtained results compared with literature data on propolis from agricultural areas allow to conclude that propolis samples from both Poland types of areas are similar and can be classified as poplar propolis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The value of honey as a natural food product is influenced by its pollen content, with the dominant type of pollen conferring specific medicinal properties. The present study examines the pollen spectra of 31 honeys from urban (linden, acacia, polyfloral, honeydew) and rural (rape, acacia, polyfloral, honeydew) apiaries in Poland. The pollen in content in honey ranged from 0.2 to 88 %. In total, 76 plant taxa were identified, 21 of which were assigned to forms A, B and C. Higher pollen grain content and a greater diversity of honey plant taxa were found in the urban honey, particularly polyfloral honey; this could be attributed to the rich variety of plants found in urban green areas compared to rural areas ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 102 honey samples collected from small apiaries (≤ 20 hives) in Poland were analysed for the presence of Clostridium botulinum spores. The samples were prepared using the dilution centrifugation method and cultured in parallel in cooked meat medium (CMM) and tripticase peptone glucose yeast (TPGY) enrichment broths. Identification of toxin types A, B, and E of Clostridium botulinum strains was performed with the use of the multiplex PCR method. Positive samples were also subjected to quantitative analysis with the use of Clostridium botulinum Isolation Agar Base (CBAB). The prevalence analysis showed 22 (21.6%) samples contaminated with C. botulinum spores. The major serotype detected was botulin neurotoxin type A - 16 (72.7%) whereas type B was found in 3 (13.6%) honey samples and type E also only in 3 (13.6%) honey samples. Dual-toxin-producing strains were noted. The average quantity of spores in PCR - C. botulinum positive samples was 190 in 1 gram of honey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Concentration levels of 30 pesticide residues were measured in honey samples collected from apiaries in northern part of Poland (Pomerania) using method based on the QuEChERS extraction followed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry with electron spray ionization (LC–ESI–MS/MS). In 29% of the samples were found positive for at least some of the target compounds. Concentration of bifenthrin, fenpyroximate, methidathion, spinosad, thiamethoxam, and triazophos exceeded maximum residue levels (MRL) in five samples (11%), the kind of the residues being correlated to agriculture practices in the region. The maximum values of these pesticides were 14.5, 16.3, 25.7, 20.6, 20.2 and 20.3 ng/g respectively. Profenofos was the most abundant at concentration ranged from

We studied the concentrations of Cd, Ni, Pb, Fe, Mg, and Zn in multi-floral honey, propolis, bee pollen, and wax coming from apiaries situated in different locations in Małopolska Voivodeship in southern Poland. Honey contained the lowest concentrations of all the tested metals, with Cd and Pb concentrations well below allowable levels. Other products showed much higher contamination by Cd and Pb. Propolis and pollen from certain areas were significantly contaminated with Pb. High metal contents occurred in beeswax. Moreover, positive correlations between metals occurred in wax: i.e. Cd vs. Ni, Cd vs. Fe, Ni vs. Fe, Ni vs. Mg, Pb vs. Fe, and Fe vs. Mg. Interestingly, metal contents in honey were not correlated with metal contents in other tested products. Correlations between Fe concentrations in honey and wax and between Mg concentrations in bee pollen and propolis were exceptional. This suggests that honeybee products may be useful in monitoring environmental contamination by metals, although complex studies of all bee products give sufficient information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine levels of trace metals (Cu, Se, Pb and Cd) in bodies of forager bees. The study was conducted in 14 stationary apiaries situated in southeastern Opole Province (Poland) in autumn 2007 and in spring, summer and autumn 2008. Samples were mineralized using microwave method. Quantitative analysis of studied metals in bees' bodies and multiflower honey were done using the plasma spectrometry method (ICP). It was found that copper was an element present in bodies of worker bees in the highest concentration. Its mean content was 22.6 mg∙kg-1 d.m. Next was selenium - 7.03, lead - 1.95 and cadmium - 0.65 mg∙kg-1 d.m. The highest level of Cu, Pb and Cd accumulation (means on a level of 24.5, 2.59 and 0.83 mg∙kg-1 d.m., respectively) was observed in samples of bees obtained during spring 2008, and of selenium in autumn 2008. The lowest concentration of Pb and Cd (means on a level of 0.95 and 0.46 mg∙kg-1 d.m., respectively) were in turn observed in autumn 2008, Cu (20.6 mg∙kg-1 d.m.) in autumn 2007, and Se (5.81 mg∙kg-1 d.m.) in spring 2008. In most cases, the differences in contents of particular metals between periods of sample collection were significant (p≤0.05) or highly significant (p≤0.01) statistically. Higher concentrations of copper (23.3 in comparison to 22.0 mg∙kg-1 d.m.), selenium (7.58 in comparison to 6.48 mg∙kg-1 d.m.), and lead (1.98 in comparison to 1.91 mg∙kg-1 d.m.) were demonstrated in bees from urbanized regions, while cadmium (0.70 in comparison to 0.60 mg∙kg-1 d.m.) in those from agricultural-woodland. The sequence of the range of analyzed metals accumulation in honey was the same as in the case of bees, but concentrations were manyfold lower: Cu - 0.82, Se - 0.38, Pb - 0.06 and Cd - 0.06 mg∙kg-1 d.m). Any significant relationships between the content of particular elements in honey and bees were demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Socio-cultural research might address anthropocentric reasons for honeybee (Apis mellifera) conservation. In some regions, particular honeybee subspecies are considered to be native; A. mellifera mellifera ("dark bee") in the north-east and A. mellifera carnica in the Island Beskids in Poland. Additionally, A. mellifera caucasia (often incorrectly called A. mellifera caucasica) and Buckfast are reported across Poland. In order to verify the actual choice of beekeepers, a survey on honeybee subspecies kept in apiaries was conducted annually from 1980 to 2018. This is a way to verify if conservation management towards the dark bee influenced its maintenance at a sufficient level for their restoration. The analysis revealed that Polish beekeepers know what is "buzzing" in their hives, and the awareness of which subspecies/types of honeybee they maintain has grown through the years. Initially, they kept up to four different subspecies per apiary, but now most have only one (maximum of two). Currently, Polish apiaries approach a homogeneous share with the exclusive presence of A. mellifera carnica subspecies. The popularity of indigenous A. mellifera mellifera has declined over time and is low now. It seems that new solutions should be considered to increase the effectiveness of dark European bee conservation management efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In Poland, there are 1.68 million honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies. We conducted a survey on honey bee (Apis mellifera) queen management. In the years 1980–2018, questionnaires were sent to beekeepers all over Poland. Questions regarding queen management throughout a single beekeeping season were asked each year: (1) the number of spring bee colonies with which the new season began, (2) the number of queens replaced throughout the season, and (3) the number of newly purchased queens. In total, 2964 questionnaires were selected. We examined the trends by decade timeslot, apiary size, and geographical location. In Poland, it is recommended to replace at least 30% of queens every year. Regardless of the decade and the size of the apiary, on average, above 90% of Polish beekeepers replace old queens with new ones in their colonies. In general, during the observed period, beekeepers replaced almost 52% of their queens, 21% of which were purchased. The involvement of purchased queens in colony management is associated with the size of the apiary, and it significantly grows with the number of colonies in the apiary. The percentage of purchased queens went up in all the voivodeships over time. We conducted a survey on honey bee (Apis mellifera) queen management. Data were collected every year from 1980 to 2018. In total, 2964 questionnaires were collected from all over Poland. We examined the trends by decade timeslot, apiary size, and geographical location. Regardless of the decade and the size of the apiary, on average, above 90% of Polish beekeepers replace old queens with new ones in their colonies. In general, during the observed period, beekeepers replaced almost 52% of their queens, 21% of which were purchased. In the last decade, there was an upward trend in the percentage of beekeepers replacing queens throughout the country. The involvement of purchased queens in colony management is associated with the size of the apiary, and it significantly grows with the number of colonies in the apiary. The percentage of purchased queens went up in all the voivodeships over time. Research and education in this area are needed in order to track the trends and further improve Polish beekeepers' practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]