Changes in Selected Biochemical Markers of Honey Bees Exposed to Fermented Common Tansy Solution (<i>Tanacetum vulgare</i> L.)

Natalia Białecka; Klaudia Garbacz; Ewelina Berbeć; Agnieszka Murawska; Beata Madras-Majewska; Paweł Migdał

doi:10.3390/ani14192857

Animals (Oct 2024)

Changes in Selected Biochemical Markers of Honey Bees Exposed to Fermented Common Tansy Solution (<i>Tanacetum vulgare</i> L.)

Natalia Białecka,
Klaudia Garbacz,
Ewelina Berbeć,
Agnieszka Murawska,
Beata Madras-Majewska,
Paweł Migdał

Affiliations

Natalia Białecka: Department of Bees Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Breeding, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 38C Chelmonskiego St., 51-630 Wroclaw, Poland
Klaudia Garbacz: Department of Bees Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Breeding, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 38C Chelmonskiego St., 51-630 Wroclaw, Poland
Ewelina Berbeć: Department of Bees Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Breeding, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 38C Chelmonskiego St., 51-630 Wroclaw, Poland
Agnieszka Murawska: Department of Bees Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Breeding, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 38C Chelmonskiego St., 51-630 Wroclaw, Poland
Beata Madras-Majewska: Apiculture Division, Institute of Animal Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 166 Nowoursynowska St., 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Paweł Migdał: Department of Bees Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Breeding, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 38C Chelmonskiego St., 51-630 Wroclaw, Poland

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14192857
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 14, no. 19
p. 2857

Abstract

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Honey bees use pollen and nectar from flowers to produce food. Because they often forage on crops, they are at risk of being exposed to plant protection products (PPPs), both directly and in stored food. Due to the adverse effects of synthetic PPPs on pollinators, biopesticides may be a viable alternative. Common tansy extract is used as one of the natural substitutes for synthetic pesticides. In our study, the effect of fermented common tansy extract on aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP) activity and the concentration of triglycerides (TGs), total protein (TP), total antioxidant status (TAS), and glucose in honey bee workers’ hemolymph was assessed. These biochemical markers give valuable information about the immunity, detoxification, and nutrition of a bee’s body. Caged bees were given tansy extract added at various concentrations in sugar syrup for 24 h. Then, they were provided with only sugar syrup. After 7 days of the experiment, hemolymph was collected and analyzed. We observed changes in the activity of AST, ALT, GGTP enzymes and TG, TP, and glucose levels, but not all changes were statistically significant. In terms of AST activity, statistically significant differences were found. All groups tested, including the negative control group, showed reduced enzyme activity values compared to the positive control group. In TG concentration, differences were observed between the groups receiving 2% extract and 1% ethanol. Glucose levels differed between the groups receiving 1% extract and 2% extract and between the positive control group and 1% extract. Bee body proper functioning is affected by changes in enzyme activity, especially those responsible for immunity and detoxification, such as AST, ALT, ALP, and GGTP. Despite the short time of bees’ exposure to the agent, the results of study show visible effects. Our results provide a basis for further research on the impact of tansy extract on honey bees.

Published in Animals

ISSN: 2076-2615 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Agriculture: Animal culture: Veterinary medicine; Science: Zoology
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/animals/

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