The use of chitosan in the composition of feed “BeeHit” for honey bees

Abstract

Nowadays, chitosan-based biostimulants and their derivatives are being increasingly utilized in veterinary medicine. These substances possess numerous advantageous properties that make them suitable for application in beekeeping. Chitosan and its modified forms are of natural origin and non-toxic, exhibiting immunomodulating properties and antimicrobial activity. They also have the ability to enhance resistance and eliminate heavy metals and toxins from bees' bodies. Chitosan is derived from chitin, a natural component found in the exoskeleton of bees. When acted upon by enzymes like chitinase and chitobiase, chitin and chitosan break down into N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. This characteristic renders chitosan completely biodegradable, ensuring it does not contribute to environmental pollution as it degrades into carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). Moreover, chitosan boosts bees' resilience against adverse environmental factors and various pathogens. Being naturally biocompatible and biodegradable, chitosan and its derivatives exhibit significant antibacterial, sorbent, fungicidal, and antiviral properties. The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of incorporating chitosan into the composition of “BeeHit” bee feed.