Scientists have engineered yeast to produce vital pollen sterols, a crucial nutrient increasingly scarce for honeybees, offering a potential lifeline for struggling colonies. Recent research, published in Nature, details how this innovative "superfood" – a supplement rich in these essential compounds – significantly boosts bee reproduction rates.
Pollen sterols, like cholesterol, are vital for bee health and development, but modern agricultural practices have reduced their availability in natural pollen. Oxford University researchers found that supplementing colonies with this engineered yeast-derived sterol mixture led to a marked increase in brood production.
This breakthrough, also highlighted by the BBC and The Independent, could have far-reaching implications, bolstering global food security as honeybees are essential pollinators for countless crops. The "superfood" represents a promising new tool in the fight to protect these vital insects and safeguard our food supply.
