Comparative Study of Amino Acids in the Different Stages of Honey Bee

Abstract

Apiculture is the practice of keeping bees as well as the manufacturing of honey and beeswax. Nectar is the main source of carbohydrates for honey bees. The amount of nectar needed pet colony depends on how concentrated the sugars are in the nectar. A worker bee needs 11 mg of dry sugar each day, which translates to about 22 µl of 50% sugar syrup per bee per day. In order to make honeybees grow satisfactorily enough feed must be provided, and feed should have all the necessary nutrients for the growth of honeybees. The important nutrients such as amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates, and requirements of vitamins and minerals are necessary for the growth and development of honeybees. During development, several structural, physiological, and biochemical changes occur takes place in an organism from stage to stage. There is a variation in the quality of all biochemical components. In the present study, the free amino acids from the eggs, larvae, pupae, and adult honeybee Apis cerana indica and also honey have been analyzed. This work was carried out by adopting the technique of paper chromatography. The developed chromatograms were dried and the spots were identified by spraying with (O.IN) Ninhydrin in acetone. The Rf values were calculated and compared with the Rf values of the standard amino acids. The presence of amino acids in different life stages of honeybee and honey were analyzed and compared.