Beilstein J. Nanotechnol.2023,14, 850–856, doi:10.3762/bjnano.14.69
bees to seal their hive and protect the colony against pathogens. Since propolis is quite a sticky substance, the authors analysed whether the mandibles of the bees show specific anti-adhesive properties, enabling them to manipulate the propolis. Adhesion experiments with propolis and beemandibles
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Figure 1:
Biological archetype and eponym of the lotus effect: The sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera). a) Photo ...
Beilstein J. Nanotechnol.2022,13, 958–974, doi:10.3762/bjnano.13.84
colony against pathogens. In spite of its stickiness, honeybees are able to handle and manipulate propolis with their mandibles. We wanted to know if beneficial anti-adhesive properties of beemandibles reduce propolis adhesion. The anatomy of beemandibles was studied in a (cryo-)scanning electron
microscope. Adhesion experiments were performed with propolis on beemandibles to find out if beemandibles have anti-adhesive properties that enable bees to handle the sticky material. A scale-like pattern was found on the inside of the mandible. Fresh mandibles were covered with a seemingly fluid substance
that was at least partially removed during the washing process. Propolis adhesion on beemandibles was measured to be 1 J/m2 and was indeed significantly lower compared to five technical materials. Propolis adhesion was higher on mandibles that were washed compared to fresh, unwashed mandibles. Results
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Figure 1:
Bee propolis. (A) Raw propolis as collected from the hive. (B) Homogenised propolis powder. (C) Con...