LAB are known to be good producers of antimicrobial
substances such as organic acids,
hydrogen peroxide and antimicrobial peptides
(de Vuyst and Vandamme, 1994). However,
there is a clear variation in the production
of antimicrobial substances and other beneficial
qualities between the different species and
genera within LAB (Ouwehand et al., 2002;
Pfeiler and Klaenhammer, 2007). Therefore,
it is important to investigate the potential antagonistic
properties of the recently discovered
honey bee stomach LAB against specific
honey bee pathogens. The purpose of the present study was to investigate
if the newly identified Lactobacillus
and Bifidobacteriumphylotypes inhibit growth
of P. larvae and have an effect on AFB disease
development in infected honey bee larvae.