Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleScientists in Oxford have developed a new food supplement for bees using a genetically engineered yeast strain. This yeast, Yarrowia lipolytica, produces vital sterols that are absent in current artificial pollen substitutes used by beekeepers. The breakthrough aims to help honeybees live longer and stem the decline in wild bee populations, which are crucial for pollinating major global crops. A three-month trial showed that colonies fed the sterol-enriched yeast reared up to 15 times more larvae and for significantly longer periods. Researchers hope the supplement could be available to farmers within two years, potentially reducing competition between bee species for natural floral resources. In fullScientists invent ‘superfood’ they hope will save honeybees and boost global food securityThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Scientists create food supplement to protect global food security
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleScientists in Oxford have developed a new food supplement for bees using a genetically engineered yeast strain. This yeast, Yarrowia lipolytica, produces vital sterols that are absent in current artificial pollen substitutes used by beekeepers. The breakthrough aims to help honeybees live longer and stem the decline in wild bee populations, which are crucial for pollinating major global crops. A three-month trial showed that colonies fed the sterol-enriched yeast reared up to 15 times more larvae and for significantly longer periods. Researchers hope the supplement could be available to farmers within two years, potentially reducing competition between bee species for natural floral resources. In fullScientists invent ‘superfood’ they hope will save honeybees and boost global food securityThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
