Influence of environmental pollution on the protective proteolytic barrier of the honey bee Apis mellifera mellifera

Abstract

Environmental pollution is of great significance to the protective barrier of the proteinous nature on the body surface of the honey bee. Crucial elements of this barrier are proteases and protease inhibitors (enzymes). They contribute to the protection of the bee against pathogens. Constant weakening of this barrier can lead to the rapid fall of its immunity, and even death. Bees collected from two apiaries were compared (polluted and clean environments). This pollution contributed to the deterioration of the surface proteolytic barrier of respective groups of bees. Bees kept in a clean environment exhibited high protease and protease inhibitor activity levels.