Probiotic and biotechnological potential of the microbiota from Brazilian native bees: A comprehensive review of the literature

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5327/fst.594

Keywords:

Stingless bees, natural probiotics, symbiotic microbiota, agri-food innovation, microbial biodiversity

Abstract

Microorganisms found in stingless native bee hives have been studied for their functional potential and applicability in probiotic products and bioinputs. This review aims to compile the main scientific evidence on the microorganisms present in these symbiotic systems and discuss their applications in the food, health, and agriculture sectors. The research was conducted using PubMed and ScienceDirect databases, covering publications from 2015 to 2025. A bibliometric analysis with the VOSviewer software was used to map scientific trends and knowledge gaps. The studies analyzed reveal that hives of native bees harbor a diverse microbiota—composed of lactic acid bacteria, sporulated bacilli, actinobacteria, and yeasts—with antioxidant, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and fermentative properties. These strains show promising potential for use in functional foods, supplements, symbiotics, and biofertilizers. The microbiota of native bees therefore represents a strategic frontier for technological innovation based on Brazilian sociobiodiversity.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Daniela Cácia dos Santos, Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Daniela Cácia dos Santos - Research Fellow in Science, Technology and Innovation at Fapemig. PhD candidate in the Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology at the State University of Montes Claros, Unimontes. Master's degree in Food and Health from the Federal University of Minas Gerais, UFMG (2025). Graduated in Food Engineering from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (2023). Holds a Technical Degree in Computer Maintenance and Support from the Federal Institute of Minas Gerais (2014). Was a member of CREA-MG Jr (2018-2023). Was an extension scholarship recipient from the Rural/Urban Development and Family Farming Support Program - PRODERA. Is a member of the Biotechnology study group at the Institute of Agricultural Sciences - UFMG.

Dario Alves de Oliveira , Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Graduated in Agronomic Engineering (1990), Master's degree in Phytotechnics (Plant Production) and PhD in Phytotechnics (Plant Production) from the Federal University of Viçosa (2002). He is a professor in the undergraduate Biological Sciences program at the State University of Montes Claros (UNIMONTES). He is a professor and advisor in the Postgraduate Programs in Biodiversity and Use of Natural Resources, Applied Botany, and the Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology at UNIMONTES. He was coordinator of the Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology from 2011 to 2015. He was Coordinator of Technological Innovation and of the Intellectual Property and Technological Innovation Center at the State University of Montes Claros from 2005 to 2018. He conducts research with plants from the Cerrado and Caatinga biomes. He leads the research group "Conservation, Bioprospecting and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources of the Cerrado and Caatinga," registered with the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development - CNPq. He coordinates research and technological innovation management projects. He is the Planning Director of the Technology-Based Business Incubator (INEMONTES) at the State University of Montes Claros. He was a representative of the State University of Montes Claros in the Minas Gerais Intellectual Property Network and in the National Forum of Innovation and Technology Transfer Managers - FORTEC. He was a member of the University Council of the State University of Montes Claros (CONSU) from 2016 to 2019. He is the coordinator of the Professional Postgraduate Program in Biotechnology (Master's and Doctorate) at the State University of Montes Claros.

Gabriela da Rocha Lemos Mendes , Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

She holds a degree in Food Engineering from the Federal University of Rio Grande (2010) (CREA RS-222613), a master's degree in Food Engineering and Science from the Federal University of Rio Grande (2013), a doctorate in Biotechnology from the Federal University of Pelotas (2016) with a sandwich period in the Phytopathology department of the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), and a specialization in Food Science from the Federal University of Pelotas (2016). She coordinated the Quality Assurance and Research and Development sectors for new products at the company IRGOVEL (2017-2021). She worked as a visiting professor at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) - Institute of Agricultural Sciences (ICA - UFMG), teaching courses for undergraduate students in Food Engineering and in the Master's program in Food and Health. Currently, she is part of the Technology and Innovation Division team at SENAI-RS, working as a researcher at the SENAI Institute of Innovation in Sensing Systems. Their main areas of expertise encompass research and development in the fields of agritech and biotech.

Laylla Carolline Vieira Nobre, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Master's student in Food and Health - UFMG. Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences from the State University of Montes Claros - UNIMONTES. ICV - Conservation Genetics Laboratory; IC in the Plant Ecology Laboratory; Participation in the PIBID/Unimontes program. Served as a member of the League of Immunology of Infectious and Autoimmune Diseases.

Adriana Soares Mendes , Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Possui graduação em "Direito" pela Faculdade de Direito Santo Agostinho (2015). Pós graduação em "Direito Público" pela Damásio Educacional (2017).Graduada em Nutrição pela Faculdade de Saúde e Humanidades Ibituruna- FASI (2022/2). Pós graduada em Nutrição Esportiva e Obesidade pela Universidade de São Paula- USP (2022-2023). Discente Mestrado em Alimentos e Saúde- UFMG (2025/2027).

Tatiane Pereira da Silva, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Food Engineer graduated from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) in 2024. Specialist in Quality Management and Food Technology from the Federal Institute of Paraná (IFPR), 2025. Currently, she is a master's student in the Postgraduate Program in Food and Health at UFMG, with a CAPES scholarship. She has worked as a Scientific Initiation scholarship holder through the FAPEMIG and CNPq agencies. She is an active member and student coordinator of GEPPAM, the Study Group on Bakery and Pasta Products, developing activities in the areas of physicochemical and technological analysis of food, sensory analysis, packaging development, nutritional labeling, and product development of new products. She has presented and published works at scientific events in the field of Food Science and Technology.

Afrânio Farias de Melo Júnior , Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Graduado em Ciências Biológicas pela Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros (2000), mestre e Doutor em Engenharia Florestal pela Universidade Federal de Lavras (2010). É professor da Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros (UNIMONTES) desde 2003, atua no Curso de graduação em Ciências Biológicas, professor permanente do Programa de Pós Graduação Profissional em Biotecnologia (Nota 5 CAPES). Tem experiência na área de Recursos Florestais e Engenharia Florestal, com ênfase em Conservação Genética, atua principalmente nos seguintes temas: biodiversidade vegetal, uso de marcadores moleculares aplicados a conservação de espécies vegetais e estudo dos produtos da flora do Cerrado, bioprospecção de recursos e transição energética. Atualmente sou coordenador do Laboratório Multiusuário de Desenvolvimento de Bioprocessos BIOS da Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros.

Juliana Pinto Lima , Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Adjunct Professor at the Institute of Agricultural Sciences of the Federal University of Minas Gerais. Master's degree in Food Science from the Federal University of Lavras (2011) and doctorate in Food Science from the Federal University of Lavras (2015). She also worked as a professor at the Federal Institute of Southeast Minas Gerais - Barbacena campus (2013-2015). Currently, she conducts research in the area of ​​post-harvest and processing of plant raw materials, conservation and value addition to Cerrado fruits, and the development of products and technologies for the valorization of agro-industrial by-products.

Ivan Pires de Oliveira , Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry and Master's degree in Environmental Science and Technology from the Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), 2006-2012, during which time he worked with atomic and molecular spectroscopies in the characterization of environmental and plant samples. PhD in Sciences/Chemistry from the State University of Campinas (IQ/UNICAMP), 2013-2017, where he worked with computational simulations in protein systems and solutions. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences of the University of São Paulo (ICB/USP), 2018-2020. He worked as a Professor at the State University of Mato Grosso (UNEMAT) in 2017, and at the State University of São Paulo (UNESP) in 2021. Currently, he is an Adjunct Professor at the Federal University of Minas Gerais - UFMG/ICA Montes Claros. He is the coordinator of the Research Advisory Center - NAPq/ICA, and sub-coordinator of Teaching and Research at ICA/UFMG. President of the Structuring Teaching Nucleus (NDE) of the Natural Sciences course and sub-coordinator of the Master's Program in Food and Health - CMAS/ICA/UFMG. Leader of the SiMAp Research Group - Applied Molecular Systems (http://dgp.cnpq.br/dgp/espelhogrupo/8763054952453573). Areas of interest include molecular dynamics simulations, molecular docking, spectroscopy, natural products, renewable fuels, and environmental pollutants.

Igor Viana Brandi, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Igor Viana Brandi is an Associate Professor IV at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). He teaches Biochemical Engineering and Interdisciplinary Projects. He holds a Technical degree in Dairy Science from the Cândido Tostes Dairy Institute (1989). He graduated in Food Engineering from the Federal University of Viçosa (1997). He holds a Master's degree in Food Science and Technology from the Federal University of Viçosa (1999), a PhD in Biotechnology from the University of São Paulo (2007), and an MBA in Project Management from the Getúlio Vargas Foundation (2006). He completed a Post-Doctorate at the Department of Physiology Functional Genomics, College of Medicine, University of Florida - USA, with a CNPq scholarship (2016). He is currently a CNPq productivity grant recipient (DT2). He coordinates the Master's Program in Food and Health at UFMG, an Interdisciplinary area of ​​CAPES. He was the R&D Manager of the Vaccine Technology Laboratory at Vallée S/A and president of the Internal Biosafety Committee at Vallée SA (1999 to 2009). He is a reviewer for international journals such as the Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, European Journal of Nutrition and Food Safety, Brazilian Journal of Microbiology, Journal of Food Measurement and Characterization, International Journal of Biochemistry Research Review, Asian Food Science Journal, Food and Bioprocess Technology, Current Journal of Applied Science and Technology, Bioresource Technology Reports, and Journal of Food Science and Technology. He has experience in coordinating the Food Engineering course at UFMG (2010-2014) and as Sub-Coordinator of the Master's Program in Food and Health (2020-2024). He is a permanent faculty member of the Master's Program in Food and Health at ICA-UFMG and a permanent supervising professor in the Professional Master's Program in Biotechnology at Unimontes. Supervises undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students in the areas of public health and biotechnology, with projects related to childhood malnutrition and anemia, bioprospecting of probiotic bacteria and yeasts from native bees, use of food industry waste for the production of activated carbon filters, and collection of residual oil for biofuel production (Petrobras). Is a member of the CNPq's Food Science, Nutrition and Health Research Group. Coordinates the CNPq's New Product Development, Bioprocesses and Biotechnology Research Group (dgp.cnpq.br/dgp/espelhogrupo/5728733306110008). Has partnerships with UFV, UFTO, USP, UFBA, IFNMG, UFLA, Quilmes University, and the University of Florida. With private companies, it has partnerships with Petrobras, Petrobras Biocombustível (PBIo Montes Claros), Cooperativa Grande Sertão, Panificadora Astral, CEVA Saúde Animal, and Merck Sharp Dohme. It coordinates the Extension Program "Integrated Actions Against Child Malnutrition" - a project certified as a Social Technology by Banco do Brasil - FAO - UN, for the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2020 Agenda (https://transforma.fbb.org.br/tecnologia-social/acoes-e-alternativas-contra-subnutricao-infantil). It also coordinates the extension project: "Catador, óleo e Gorduras" (Waste Picker, Oil and Fats). This project is funded through the PETROBRAS Socio-Environmental Grant. Sustainability in Montes Claros recycles oil for biodiesel production. He is a partner at VIBRA Pesquisas e Desenvolvimentos LTDA, incubated at INEMONTES - Incubator of Technology-Based Companies of Unimontes, Centelha MG 2023 program, with the product NUTRIVIBRA, and Coordinator of the University Startup Program at UFMG. He is the Sub-Coordinator of the Laboratory of Experimental In Vivo Imaging (LIEIV), a multi-user health imaging research laboratory (Ordinance No. 44/2023/UNIMONTES). He is the sub-coordinator of the project Prospecting Microorganisms in Native Bees for the development of products and technologies for the production of Apis mellifera L. queens. He coordinates the Institutional Research Laboratory of UFMG (LIPq) entitled Integrated Bioprocess Laboratory.

References

Alves, V. F., Chaul, L. T., Bueno, G. C. A., Reinecke, I., Silva, T. C. G.., Brito, P. V. A., & Martinis, E. C. P. (2024). Associated bacterial microbiota of honey and related products from stingless bees as novel sources of bioactive compounds for biotechnological applications. Current Opinion in Food Science, 55, Article 101122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cofs.2023.101122

Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária. (2021). Guia nº 21: Guia para instrução processual de petição de avaliação de probióticos para uso em alimentos (2nd ed.). ANVISA.

Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária. (2025a). Síntese das contribuições e encaminhamentos da Consulta Pública nº 1324/2025: Base para o diálogo setorial. https://www.gov.br/anvisa/pt-br/assuntos/noticias-anvisa/2026/anvisa-realiza-dialogo-setorial-sobre-consultas-que-trataram-de-especificacoes-de-ingredientes-alimentares/ds_-documento-sintese-consolidacao-cp-1324.pdf

Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária. (2025b). Síntese das contribuições e encaminhamentos da Consulta Pública nº 1325/2025: Base para o diálogo setorial. https://www.gov.br/anvisa/pt-br/assuntos/noticias-anvisa/2026/anvisa-realiza-dialogo-setorial-sobre-consultas-que-trataram-de-especificacoes-de-ingredientes-alimentares/ds_documento-sintese-consolidacao-cp-1325.pdf

Brazil. (2015). Lei nº 13.123, de 20 de maio de 2015. Dispõe sobre o sobre o acesso ao patrimônio genético, sobre a proteção e o acesso ao conhecimento tradicional associado e sobre a repartição de benefícios para conservação e uso sustentável da biodiversidade. Diário Oficial da União.

Brazil. (2018a). Instrução Normativa nº 28, de 26 de julho de 2018. Estabelece as listas de constituintes, limites de uso, alegações e rotulagem complementar dos suplementos alimentares. Diário Oficial da União. https://www.in.gov.br/materia/-/asset_publisher/Kujrw0TZC2Mb/content/id/34380639/do1-2018-07-27-instrucao-normativa-in-n-28-de-26-de-julho-de-2018-34380550

Brazil. (2018b). Resolução da Diretoria Colegiada - RDC nº 241, de 26 de julho de 2018. Dispõe sobre os requisitos para comprovação da segurança e dos benefícios à saúde dos probióticos para uso em alimentos. Diário Oficial da União.

Brazil. (2018c). Resolução da Diretoria Colegiada - RDC nº 243, de 26 de julho de 2018. Dispõe sobre os requisitos sanitários dos suplementos alimentares. Diário Oficial da União. https://www.in.gov.br/materia/-/asset_publisher/Kujrw0TZC2Mb/content/id/34379969/do1-2018-07-27-resolucao-da-diretoria-colegiada-rdc-n-243-de-26-de-julho-de-2018-34379917

Brazil. (2020). Instrução Normativa nº 61, de 08 de julho de 2020. Estabelece as regras sobre definições, exigências, especificações, tolerâncias, registro, garantias, embalagem e rotulagem dos fertilizantes orgânicos e dos biofertilizantes, destinados à agricultura. Diário Oficial da União. https://www.gov.br/agricultura/pt-br/assuntos/insumos-agropecuarios/insumos-agricolas/fertilizantes/legislacao/in-61-de-8-7-2020-organicos-e-biofertilizantes-dou-15-7-20.pdf

Brazil. (2023a). Portaria Conjunta SDA/MAPA - IBAMA - ANVISA Nº 1, De 10 de abril de 2023. Estabelece procedimentos a serem adotados para o registro de produtos microbiológicos empregados no controle de pragas ou como desfolhantes, dessecantes, estimuladores, inibidores de crescimento. Diário Oficial da União. https://www.in.gov.br/en/web/dou/-/portaria-conjunta-sda/mapa-ibama-anvisa-n-1-de-10-de-abril-de-2023-480871674

Brazil. (2023b). Resolução - RDC nº 839, de 14 de dezembro de 2023. Dispõe sobre a comprovação de segurança e a autorização de uso de novos alimentos e novos ingredientes. Diário Oficial da União. https://www.in.gov.br/en/web/dou/-/resolucao-rdc-n-839-de-14-de-dezembro-de-2023-531394967

Brazil. (2024a). Instrução Normativa nº 281, de 22 de fevereiro de 2024. Estabelece a forma de regularização das diferentes categorias de alimentos e embalagens, e a respectiva documentação que deve ser apresentada. Diário Oficial da União. https://www.in.gov.br/en/web/dou/-/instrucao-normativa-in-n-281-de-22-de-fevereiro-de-2024-545349514

Brazil. (2024b). Resolução - RDC nº 843, de 22 de fevereiro de 2024. Dispõe sobre a regularização de alimentos e embalagens sob competência do Sistema Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (SNVS) destinados à oferta no território nacional. Diário Oficial da União. https://www.in.gov.br/en/web/dou/-/resolucao-rdc-n-843-de-22-de-fevereiro-de-2024-545334292

Cerqueira, A. E. S., Hammer, T. J., Moran, N. A., Santana, W. C., Kasuya, M. C. M., & Silva, C. C. (2021). Extinction of anciently associated gut bacterial symbionts in a clade of stingless bees. The ISME Journal, 15(9), 2813–2816. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41396-021-01000-1

Cerqueira, A. E. S., Lima, H. S., Silva, L. C. F., Veloso, T. G. R., Paula, S. O., Santana, W. C., & Silva, C. C. (2024). Melipona stingless bees and honey microbiota reveal the diversity, composition, and modes of symbionts transmission. FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 100(7), Article fiae063. https://doi.org/10.1093/femsec/fiae063

EFSA Panel on Biological Hazards, Allende, A., Alvarez-Ordóñez, A., Bortolaia, V., Bover-Cid, S., De Cesare, A., Dohmen, W., Guillier, L., Jacxsens, L., Nauta, M., Mughini-Gras, L., Ottoson, J., Peixe, L., Perez-Rodriguez, F., Skandamis, P., Suffredini, E., Chemaly, M., Cocconcelli, P. S., Fernández Escámez, P. S., Maradona, M. P., ... Herman, L. (2026). Update of the list of QPS-recommended biological agents intentionally added to food or feeds as notified to EFSA. EFSA Journal, 24(1), Article e9823. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2026.9823

EFSA Panel on Biological Hazards, Allende, A., Alvarez-Ordóñez, A., Bortolaia, V., Bover-Cid, S., De Cesare, A., Dohmen, W., Guillier, L., Jacxsens, L., Nauta, M., Mughini-Gras, L., Ottoson, J., Peixe, L., Perez-Rodriguez, F., Skandamis, P., Suffredini, E., Cocconcelli, P. S., Fernández Escámez, P. S., Maradona, M. P., … Herman, L. (2025). The list of qualified presumption of safety (QPS) recommended biological agents. EFSA Journal, 23(7), Article e9510. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9510

Grinn-Gofroń, A., Kołodziejczak, M., Hrynkiewicz, R., Lewandowski, F., Bębnowska, D., Adamski, C., & Niedźwiedzka-Rystwej, P. (2025). Antimicrobial potential of bee-derived products: Insights into honey, Propolis and bee venom. Pathogens, 14(8), Article 780. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14080780

Kueneman, J. G., Bonadies, E., Thomas, D., Roubik, D. W., & Wcislo, W. T. (2023). Neotropical bee microbiomes point to a fragmented social core and strong species-level effects. Microbiome, 11(1), Article 150. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40168-023-01593-z

Langendries, S., & Goormachtig, S. (2021). Paenibacillus polymyxa, a Jack of all trades. Environmental Microbiology, 23(10), 5659–5669. https://doi.org/10.1111/1462-2920.15450

Li, X., Liu, Q., Gao, Y., Zang, P., & Zheng, T. (2024). Effects of a co-bacterial agent on the growth, disease control, and quality of ginseng based on rhizosphere microbial diversity. BMC Plant Biology, 24(1), Article 647. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-024-05347-3

Liu, Z., Guan, X., Zhong, X., Zhou, X., & Yang, F. (2021). Bacillus velezensis DP-2 isolated from Douchi and its application in soybean meal fermentation. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 101(5), 1861–1868. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.10801

Luca, L., Pauliuc, D., & Oroian, M. (2024). Honey microbiota, methods for determining the microbiological composition and the antimicrobial effect of honey - A review. Food Chemistry: X, 23, Article 101524. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fochx.2024.101524

Motta, E. V. S., & Moran, N. A. (2024). The honeybee microbiota and its impact on health and disease. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 22(3), 122–137. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41579-023-00990-3

Paula, G. T., Menezes, C., Pupo, M. T., & Rosa, C. A. (2021). Stingless bees and microbial interactions. Current Opinion in Insect Science, 44, 41–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cois.2020.11.006

Rodríguez-Hernández, D., Melo, W. G. P., Manegatti, C., Lourenzon, V. B., Nascimento, F. S., & Pupo, M. T. (2019). Actinobacteria associated with stingless bees biosynthesize bioactive polyketides against bacterial pathogens. New Journal of Chemistry, 43(25), 10109–10117. https://doi.org/10.1039/C9NJ01619H

Rosli, R. Hazemi, M. H. F., Akbar, M. A., Basir, S., Kassim, H., & Bunawan, H. (2020). Stingless bee honey: evaluating its antibacterial activity and bacterial diversity. Insects, 11(8), Article 500. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11080500

Santini, A. T., Cerqueira, A. E. S., Moran, N. A., Resende, H. C., Santana, W. C., Paula, S. O., & Silva, C. C. (2025). Gut microbiota of Brazilian Melipona stingless bees: dominant members and their localization in different gut regions [Preprint]. BioRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.06.03.657762

Santos, A. C. C., Borges, L. D. F., Rocha, N. D. C., Azevedo, V. A. C., Bonetti, A. M., Santos, A. R., Fernandes, G. R., Dantas, R. C. C., & Ueira-Vieira, C. (2023). Bacteria, yeasts, and fungi associated with larval food of Brazilian native stingless bees. Scientific Reports, 13(1), Article 5147. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-32298-w

Sarton-Lohéac, G., Silva, C. G. N., Mazel, F., Baud, G., Bakker, V., Das, S., El Chazli, Y., Ellegaard, K., Garcia-Garcera, M., Glover, N., Liberti, J., Marçal L. N., Prasad, A., Somerville, V., Bonilla-Rosso, G., & Engel, P. (2023). Deep divergence and genomic diversification of gut symbionts of neotropical stingless bees. mBio, 14(2), Article e0353822. https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.03538-22

Silva, R. N. A., Magalhães-Guedes, K. T., Souza, C. O., Alves, R. M. O., & Umsza-Guez, M. A. (2024). Microbiological and physical-chemical characteristics of pollen and honey from stingless bees: a review. Food Production, Processing and Nutrition, 6, 95. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43014-024-00268-y

Sousa, L. P. (2021). Bacterial communities of indoor surface of stingless bee nests. PLOS One, 16(7), Article e0252933. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0252933

Sun, B., Bai, Z., Bao, L., Xue, L., Zhang, S., Wei, Y., Zhang, Z., Zhuang, G., & Zhuang, X. (2020). Bacillus subtilis biofertilizer mitigating agricultural ammonia emission and shifting soil nitrogen cycling microbiomes. Environment International, 144, Article 105989. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2020.105989

Tariq, H., Subramanian, S., Geitmann, A., & Smith, D. L. (2025). Bacillus and Paenibacillus as plant growth-promoting bacteria in soybean and cannabis. Frontiers in Plant Science, 16, Article 1529859. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2025.1529859

Tilocca, B., Greco, V., Piras, C., Ceniti, C., Paonessa, M., Musella, V., Bava, R., Palma, E., Morittu, V. M., Spina, A. A., Castagna, F., Urbani, A., Britti, D., & Roncada, P. (2024). The bee gut microbiota: bridging infective agents potential in the one health context. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(7), Article 3739. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25073739

Todorov, S. D., Alves, M. V., Bueno, G. C. A., Alves, V. F., & Ivanova, I. V. (2024). Bee-associated beneficial microbes—importance for bees and for humans. Insects, 15(6), Article 430. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15060430

Toutiaee, S., Mojgani, N., Harzandi, N., Moharrami, M., & Mokhberosafa, L. (2022). In vitro probiotic and safety attributes of Bacillus spp. isolated from beebread, honey samples and digestive tract of honeybees Apis mellifera. Letters in Applied Microbiology, 74(5), 656–665. https://doi.org/10.1111/lam.13650

Zalila-Kolsi, I., & Al-Barazie, R. (2025). Advancing sustainable practices with Paenibacillus polymyxa: From soil health to medical applications and molecular engineering. AIMS Microbiology, 11(2), 338–368. https://doi.org/10.3934/microbiol.2025016

Zulkhairi Amin, F. A., Sabri, S., Ismail, M., Chan, K W., Ismail, N., Esa, N. M., Lila, M. A. M., & Zawawi, N. (2019). Probiotic properties of Bacillus strains isolated from stingless bee (Heterotrigona itama) honey collected across Malaysia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(1), Article 278. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17010278

Downloads

Published

2026-07-17

How to Cite

Santos, D. C. dos, Oliveira , D. A. de, Mendes , G. da R. L., Nobre, L. C. V., Bilibio, D. de M., Mendes , A. S., Silva, T. P. da, Melo Júnior , A. F. de, Lima , J. P., Oliveira , I. . P. de, Lima, W. J. N., & Brandi, I. V. (2026). Probiotic and biotechnological potential of the microbiota from Brazilian native bees: A comprehensive review of the literature. Food Science and Technology, 46. https://doi.org/10.5327/fst.594

Issue

Vol. 46 (2026)

Section

Review Articles