Korean Journal of Agricultural Science ISSN:2466-2402(Print) 2466-2410(Online) 농업과학연구

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of beekeeping by-products added to drinking water on the growth performance and intestinal and fecal microflora of Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice. A total of 72 five-week-old ICR mice with an initial body weight (BW) of 24.57 ± 0.60 g were used in a two-week experiment. The four treatment groups were as follows; 1) CON, normal distilled water; 2) T1, CON with 0.7% beehive extract; 3) T2, CON with 0.7% propolis (PRO); and 4) T3, CON with 0.7% royal jelly (RJ). Each treatment consisted of 6 replicate cages with 3 mice per cage. At 0 - 1 week, T3 showed a significantly higher (p < 0.05) body weight gain (BWG) and feed efficiency (G : F) than that of CON. Compared with CON, T2 showed a significantly higher (p < 0.05) BWG and feed intake at 1 - 2 weeks. During the entire period, T2 and T3 showed a significantly higher (p < 0.05) BWG and G : F compared to CON. The amount of Salmonella and Lactobacillus in the large intestine was significantly decreased and increased (p < 0.05) in T2 and T3, respectively, compared to CON. The amount of Escherichia coli in the fecal matter was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) compared to CON in all treatment groups to which beekeeping by-products were added. In conclusion, the addition of PRO or RJ to the drinking water of ICR mice had a positive effect on the growth performance and the intestinal and fecal microflora.