Science updates: Acetylsalicylic Acid, & Echinacea Purpurea Extract, & Vitamin C & honey bees

 

Science updates:

Acetylsalicylic Acid, & Echinacea Extract, & Vitamin C & honey bees

 


The study investigates the effects of acetylsalicylic acid, Echinacea purpurea extract, and vitamin C on honey bee survival, immunity, and performance during the winter season. The research  involved laboratory and field tests to assess the impact of these substances when mixed with sugar syrup on bees' tolerance to low temperatures and pathogens.

 


The laboratory experiments revealed that vitamin C and Echinacea purpurea extract significantly enhanced bees' recovery time after exposure to low temperatures and improved survival rates after narcosis. These substances also led to higher hemocyte counts, indicating a boost in the bees' immune system. In contrast, acetylsalicylic acid and the control group showed less promising results.

 


Field experiments demonstrated that colonies fed with sugar syrup supplemented with vitamin C or Echinacea purpurea extract maintained their strength through the winter, unlike those fed with acetylsalicylic acid or the control group, which experienced a decline in strength.

 


The study concludes that vitamin C and Echinacea purpurea extract can serve as safe and effective additives to sugar syrup, enhancing honey bee survival and immunity during the winter. The authors suggest that these findings could be beneficial for beekeepers looking to reduce winter colony losses. The research also calls for further investigation into the immune-boosting properties of Echinacea purpurea extract for honey bees.

 


 

Reference:

Abou-Shaara, H., Amro, A., & Omar, E. (2023). Effects of Acetylsalicylic Acid, Echinacea Purpurea Extract, and Vitamin C On Survival, Immunity and Performance of Honey Bees. Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences. A, Entomology, 16(2), 81-91.

                                    ******////////////**********

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Science updates: Biological control method to improve honey bee resistance to viral infections

Image
  Science updates: Biological control method to improve honey bee resistance to viral infections   The study investigates the impact of crude extracts from Talaromyces strains on honey bee resistance to Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus (CBPV), a significant factor in the decline of honey bee populations globally. The authors highlight the importance of pollinators in ecosystems and the threats posed by viruses and parasites, particularly the Varroa destructor mite, which exacerbates viral infections in honey bees. Seven Talaromyces strains were isolated from bee bread and tested for their antiviral properties. The extracts were evaluated in both in vivo (honey bees) and in vitro (mammalian cells) settings. The study involved feeding honey bees with sugar solutions enriched with fungal extracts and subsequently injecting them with CBPV to assess survival rates.   The results indicated that extracts from strains B13, B18, and B30 improved the survival rates of CB...
Read more

Summary of the Study on Monocrotaline's Effects on Honey bees

Image
  Science updates: Summary of the Study on Monocrotaline's Effects on Honey bees     The study investigates the biological damage caused by monocrotaline (MCT), a toxic alkaloid found in Crotalaria plants, on the brain and intestinal tissues of honey bees ( Apis mellifera ). The research highlights the potential risks MCT poses to pollinators, particularly in relation to their cognitive and physiological functions. MCT exposure led to a significant reduction in head weight and swelling of the abdomen in honeybees. Histological analysis revealed damage to the brain's Kenyon cells, which are crucial for cognitive functions, and thinning of the midgut wall.   The study found increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreased antioxidant enzyme activity in the brains of MCT-exposed honey bees, indicating oxidative stress. Conversely, the midgut showed increased antioxidant capacity despite structural damage. Apoptosis rates were elevated in ...
Read more

Winter mortality & temperature variations and Varroa mites

Image
  Science updates: Winter mortality & temperature variations and Varroa mites   The study examines the causal relationship between honey bee (Apis mellifera) winter mortality and environmental factors such as temperature variations and Varroa mite density. The research, conducted in a Central European apiary from 1991 to 2023, reveals consistent mortality patterns across years, with four distinct clusters of year-specific mortality trajectories identified. However, no significant differences were found in seasonal temperatures or Varroa destructor density among these clusters .   The study employs generalized additive mixed models (GAMM) to analyze individual bee mortality rates and structural equation models (SEM) to explore the causal network linking environmental conditions to bee mortality and honey production.   The results indicate that increased winter mortality is associated with lower winter temperatures and higher autumn infestations of ...
Read more