Although traditional methods of evaluating colony health provide a general overview, they are often subjective and imprecise. Therefore, a more integrative approach is needed. The aim of this study is to use a multi-omics strategy—combining proteomic and metallomic approaches—to evaluate the interactions between honeybees and their environment. Two apiaries were selected for the study: apiary A, which is located in an extensive agricultural landscape, and apiary M, which is located in a less anthropized environment. The distribution of honeybee soluble proteins and small biomolecules was analyzed using size-exclusion chromatography. These profiles varied significantly between sampling times and apiaries. During spring, a reduced high molecular mass protein peak and an elevated very low molecular mass molecules peak were observed in honeybees from apiary A. Hemolymph analysis corroborated these findings, showing a depletion of key nutritional proteins, such as vitellogenin and apolipophorin in this apiary during the same season. In addition to protein distribution, we studied also the speciation of zinc and copper using chromatographic and atomic absorption techniques. Our results indicate site and season-dependent variation in metal binding profiles, with evidence for the presence of metallothionein-like proteins capable of binding both copper and zinc. This study highlights the urgent need for integrated, multi-method research to understand the complex dynamics of honeybee health and emphasizes the fundamental role of agricultural practices in ensuring the health of honeybees.
Rudelli et al. (2025) studied this question.