Determination of major proteins in royal jelly produced from aegean ecotype colonies of anatolian bee and caucacian crossbreed

Objective: In this study, the effect of genotype on royal jelly production and 10-HDA and total protein in royal jelly was determined in queen-restricted Caucasian crossbreed and Anatolian Bee Aegean Ecotype colonies. In addition, molecular weights of major royal jelly proteins were determined in royal jelly obtained from different genotypes. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in ADU, Faculty of Agriculture, Bee and Silkworm Application and Research Unit between the years 2020-2021. In the research, Caucasian (KM) and Anatolian Bee Aegean Ecotype (E) queens were bred in 2020. The reared queen bees were left to mate naturally. After the queens started to lay eggs, they were imposed on the colonies. The colonies formed were overwintered by care and feeding in summer and autumn. Strong populations were obtained from early spring after wintering until the date of production of royal jelly. Two days before the production of royal jelly, the queens of the colonies were taken to the restriction cage and the colonies were arranged on the day of vaccination. 40 larvae were transferred to each colony and royal jelly was harvested after 72 hours. Grafting efficiency, royal jelly yield per colony (ASV), royal jelly yield per thimble (YBASV), 10-HDA and total protein ratios (TP) were determined. In addition, the molecular weights of major royal jelly proteins were determined in the royal jelly obtained from both genotypes. Results: ASV, YBASV, TP and 10-HDA in Aegean and KM colonies were 8,4±0,87 and 8,5±0,92 g, respectively; 386,5±26,5 and 354,9±28,3 mg; 13,4±0,62% and 12,8%±0,66%; It was determined as 2,47±0,16% and 2,34±0,18%. The molecular weights KM and E are xii respectively; MASP1, 46,8 kDa and 47,5 kDa; MASP2, 68,2 kDa and 68,8 kDa; MASP3, 83,2 kDa and 83,9 kDa; MASP5 was detected at 107,2 kDa and 105 kDa. Conclusion: Genotype groups were found to be similar to each other in terms of grafting efficiency, royal jelly yields per colony, 10-HDA, total protein contents and MASP molecular weights in royal jelly produced in queen bee colonies. The total protein ratios of royal jelly varied significantly according to the harvest periods. It is predicted that MASP1, one of the immune proteins, will be an indicator of the freshness and authenticity of royal jelly, like 10-HDA, with future studies. Key Words: honey bee, 10-HDA, total protein, MRJPs