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Queen bee larvae hang from the ceiling and eat. Royal jelly also serves as glue.
The secret to queen bee larvae not falling out of the open beehive chamber is that the royal jelly they feed on turns into sticky glue at the last moment.
This is not a study that proved the health effects of royal jelly consumed by humans, but rather an investigation into the physical function that supports larvae within a beehive.
Why does it have to be attached to the ceiling?
The royal chamber where the queen bee grows is larger than a regular hexagonal chamber and extends downward. The entrance is open and facing downwards, so young larvae must stick to the royal jelly lump to avoid falling out.
What do worker bees change?
Right after it leaves the worker bee’s glands, royal jelly is relatively thin. When worker bees mix their jaw gland secretions to increase acidity, the structure of key proteins changes and their viscosity increases. Adhesion occurs at the final stage when the food is placed on the ceiling of the room.
how did you check
The researchers changed the acidity of royal jelly and compared the flow rate and protein structure. As the acid became weak, the jelly became thin and could not support the larvae. When the acidity was adjusted again, the sticky nature was restored.
Are all royal jelly the same?
Freshly secreted and conditioned food from the hive and processed commercial products differ in storage, moisture and acidity. Research results cannot be directly used to judge the quality or efficacy of human food. The properties may also vary depending on the bee species and environment.
Why it’s important beyond fun
This is an example of the same substance performing two roles: nutrition and structural support. The principle of controlling the flow and solidification of protein materials with only acidity can also provide ideas for research on bioadhesives and food materials.
official source material
Current Biology original study