Honey isn’t just nectar in a jar, it’s the result of bees’ remarkable enzyme systems. At the heart of this transformation is one key enzyme: invertase.

The role of Invertase in bees

Invertase (also known as sucrase) is secreted by bees’ hypopharyngeal glands. It converts the sucrose in nectar into glucose and fructose, giving honey its sweetness, stability, and resistance to crystallization. More than just a sugar-splitting enzyme, invertase is fundamental to the natural honey-making process inside the hive.

Why Invertase Matters

  • Honey Production & Stability
    Without invertase, nectar remains sucrose-rich and unstable. With it, nectar becomes honey: a preserved, long-lasting energy source for the colony. Natural invertase activity supports proper honey ripening and helps limit crystallization.

  • Energy Efficiency for Bees
    By converting nectar sugars into simpler forms, invertase enables bees to access energy more efficiently. This contributes to smoother nectar processing and helps colonies manage high foraging periods.

  • Colony Strength & Consistency
    Effective invertase activity allows bees to process incoming nectar promptly, helping maintain a stable food supply during times of abundant flow.

  • Honey Yield
    Invertase ensures nectar is converted into usable carbohydrates, but honey yield itself depends primarily on nectar availability, colony strength, weather, and hive management.

The Hidden Problem: Enzyme Stress

Bees naturally produce all the invertase they need for honey production. However, environmental pressures can affect overall colony performance:

  • Pesticides, pathogens, and nutritional stress may weaken the glands involved in food processing.

  • Poor forage diversity can reduce overall colony nutrition.

  • Heavy workloads during large nectar flows challenge colony metabolism.

These factors can slow nectar processing and reduce colony efficiency.

Why InvertasePlus™ Is the Solution

Bebiotica’s InvertasePlus™ is a scientifically developed enzyme additive formulated to support bees when they are fed sucrose-based supplements. By providing external invertase, it helps bees process supplemental sugars more efficiently, supports energy balance, and assists colonies during periods of nutritional stress.

✅ More efficient sucrose conversion; quicker use of supplement food.

✅ Improved feed utilisation; better support for colony maintenance.

✅ Stable, consistent feeding results; reliable colony performance.

✅ Reduced metabolic strain; more energy available for brood care and growth.

✅ Safe, natural enzyme; bee-friendly, easy to apply, scientifically supported.

With InvertasePlus™, you don’t just give bees sugar, you help them use it efficiently, supporting stronger colonies and more efficient feeding programs.

The Takeaway

Invertase plays a key role in how bees process sugars. While nectar-to-honey conversion relies on natural physiology, supplemental feeding with sucrose can impose additional metabolic effort. External invertase helps ease this load, supporting healthier, more resilient colonies.

Modern stressors can challenge hive nutrition, especially when natural forage is limited. That’s where InvertasePlus™ comes in: a science-backed tool that supports bees’ ability to utilize supplemental feed consistently and effectively.

Scientific References

  1. White, J.W. (1975). Composition of honey. Bee World, 56(4): 197–206.

  2. Ohashi, K. et al. (1999). Changes in hypopharyngeal gland morphology and invertase activity in worker honey bees.Apidologie, 30(5): 49–58.

  3. Moritz, R.F.A. & Southwick, E.E. (1992). Bees as Superorganisms: An Evolutionary Reality. Springer.

  4. Herbert, E.W. (1992). Nutrition of honey bees. Apidologie, 23(3): 193–203.

  5. Alqarni, A.S. et al. (2014). Invertase activity as a quality indicator in honey production. Food Chemistry, 153: 160–166.

  6. Chua, L.S. et al. (2015). Influence of environmental and storage factors on enzyme activities in honey. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 52(1): 275–281.