Stirring up a bee’s nest has its benefits after all. Research finds that “angry bees” produce a richer, more protein-dense bee venom, according to an article from Sci News. Bee venom reportedly has been studied and used widely in alternative medicine and is now being scrutinized for new therapeutic and cosmetic benefits, including the treatment of degenerative and infectious diseases.
According to the article, research from ChemCentre and the School of Molecular and Life Sciences at Curtin University indicates the more protein found in venom, the higher its potential quality. Scientists analyzed samples from 25 beekeeper-managed honeybee colonies in five study sites in Southwestern Australia’s native Eucalypt forests. Sites with high temperatures were reportedly found to be more detrimental to bee venom production and its composition. A comparison between docile bees and active bees revealed that stirring up the nest yielded the improved results. Bee venom sells for as much as $300 per gram depending on its composition, according to Sci News.
Read the entire article here.
