Abstract:[Objective] To explore potent antagonistic microorganisms in bee bread, an antagonistic strain PC2 isolated from bee bread was identified, and its antimicrobial characteristics were evaluated. [Methods] Antagonistic spectrum and effect of thermal, pH, UV irradiation and protease on fermentation broth inhibitory activity were assessed by Oxford cup plate assay; strain identification was based on morphology, physiological and biochemical characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The antimicrobial protein and lipopeptide compounds were separated by ammonium sulfate precipitation and acid-precipitate organic solvent extraction method, respectively. [Results] A total of 17 antagonistic microorganisms were isolated from 3 different bee bread samples. Strain PC2 fermentation broth cultured in Potato Dextrose Broth showed excellent antimicrobial activity against 7 tested microorganisms. Strain PC2 was preliminary identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens by morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics combined with 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The antimicrobial activity of fermentation broth was not sensitive to temperature, acidity and UV irradiation. However, fermentation broth treated with pepsin, alkaline proteinase and protease K lost antimicrobial activity. Proteins and lipopeptides were the main antimicrobial compounds. [Conclusion] Strain PC2 isolated from bee bread has potent applications in food preservation and agricultural biological control.