Fungal Diversity Associated with the Hive Stored Pollen of Stingless Bees Tetragonula travancorica Shanas and Faseeh

The process of collecting and storing pollen by stingless bees involves a complex fermentation process, enriching it with nutrients and probiotics, making it valuable as a dietary supplement. However, the presence of mycotoxins-producing fungi in bee pollen poses health risks to humans. Thus, the study aims to characterize the fungi associated with hive-stored pollen of stingless bees. The results revealed the presence of various fungal species, including Penicillium spp. P. chrysogenum, Aspergillus flavus, and A. aculeatus. This species has a symbiotic association with hive-stored pollen and is capable of producing mycotoxins. This necessitates post-harvest processing to reduce microorganisms ensuring the safety and quality of bee-derived food products for consumer health