Levels of mercury in samples of bees and honey from areas with and without industrial contamination]

Increasing numbers of specialists have been concerned with the problem of friendly environment in relation to man as well as to farm and wild animals. Greater interest in the biological monitoring of environment and ecosystem contamination can be observed. Determination of residues of organic and inorganic substances in bees (Apis mellifera) and in their products is one of effective possibilities of environmental pollution monitoring. Our work was aimed at the study of mercury levels in bees and their products. Mercury levels were determined in the head, abdomen and thorax of bees (Apis mellifera) from 20 bee populations coming from industrially contaminated areas with a dominant load of mercury (10 populations) and from uncontaminated areas. Mercury levels were determined simultaneously in honey coming from both contaminated and uncontaminated areas. The following mercury levels were found in bees from the contaminated area: heads 0.029-0.385 mg/kg, thorax 0.028-0.595 mg/kg and abdomen 0.083-2.255 mg/kg. Mercury levels in samples from uncontaminated areas ranged from 0.004 to 0.024 mg/kg in the heads, from 0.004 to 0.008 mg/kg in the thorax and from 0.008 to 0.020 mg/kg in the abdomen. In honey samples from the contaminated and uncontaminated areas mercury levels ranged from 0.050 to 0.212 mg/kg and from 0.001 to 0.003 mg/kg, respectively. The results of sample analyses for mercury loads in bees and honey from both contaminated and uncontaminated areas are given in Tab. I. Mean mercury levels in the single parts of the body in Apis mellifera and in honey from contaminated and uncontaminated areas are given in Figs. 1, 2, 3.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Determination of residues of pyrethroid and organophosphorous ectoparasiticides in foods of animal origin

Analytical methods were introduced for the determination of residues of ectoparasiticides containing pyrethroid and organophosphate active ingredients in foods. Milk and edible tissues of cows treated with three experimental ectoparasiticides (containing cypermethrin + diazinon, deltamethrin + diazinon and alphamethrin + diazinon, respectively) were assayed for the presence of active ingredient residues. Synthetic pyrethroid residues were not detected in any of the samples processed. Diazinon residues could only be detected in milk samples taken on the first day after treatment (0.005-0.025 mg/kg) and in liver and fat tissue samples taken on the day of slaughtering (0.12 and 0.01 mg/kg, respectively). Permethrin and propetamphos residues were determined in the skin, meat and liver of chickens kept on 'Blotic-B' treated litter and in eggs collected at different times after the treatment of layer houses. Permethrin residues could not be detected in any of the samples (< 0.01 mg/kg). Meat and fat tissues of chickens slaughtered on the day after treatment contained small amounts of propetamphos (0.003 and 0.02 mg/kg, respectively). In the case of chickens kept on the treated litter and slaughtered after one week, active ingredient was not detected in meat, but 0.006 mg/kg propetamphos was present in the fat. The residue content of other samples (liver, egg) was below the detection limit of the applied method at all sampling times. From the food toxicological point of view these pesticide combinations can be used safely if the recommended withdrawal period is observed between ectoparasiticide administration and slaughter.     

维生素A对意大利蜜蜂群势、封盖子量及抗氧化性的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮中添加维生素A对意大利蜜蜂群势、封盖子量和幼虫虫体抗氧化性的影响.试验选用本地意大利蜜蜂10群,随机分为2组(对照组和试验组),每组设5个重复.对照组蜜蜂饲喂基础饲粮,试验组饲喂在基础饲粮中添加7 500 IU/kg维生素A的饲粮.结果表明,试验组蜜蜂取食量、封盖子量、成年工蜂蜂体粗蛋白质含量、幼虫虫...     

Efficacy, safety, and residue evaluation of levamisole gel formulation in sows

Anthelmintic efficacy, safety, and residue studies were conducted in sows and gilts with a levamisole gel containing 11.5% levamisole HCl. In 12 sows and 12 gilts, 8 mg of levamisole HCl equivalent/kg of body weight orally was 100% (resinate) and 91.1% (gel) effective against 55-day-old Ascaris suum and 100% (gel) and 96.1% (resinate) effective against Oesophagostomum dentatum. In 20 sows given levamisole gel (8 mg of levamisole HCl/kg) orally just before breeding, 4 to 6 weeks after breeding, 4 to 6 weeks before farrowing, and just before farrowing, there were no adverse effects. Transient salivation was noticed in five sows after treatment. In 4 groups of 4 sows each given levamisole gel orally to provide 8, 24, 40, or 80 mg of levamisole HCl/kg, adverse clinical signs were not observed in sows treated with 8 mg/kg. Transient salivation was noticed in one sow given 24 mg/kg, two sows given 40 mg/kg, and four sows given 80 mg/kg. Multiple emesis and chomping occurred in one sow given 80 mg/kg. Levamisole residues in edible tissues from sows given 8 mg of levamisole gel/kg orally were less than 0.1 mg/kg of muscle and fat in sows killed on posttreatment day (PTD) 3 and less than 0.1 mg/kg of kidney in sows killed on PTD 5. Liver residues averaged 0.78 mg/kg in sows killed on PTD 3 and were reduced to 0.31 mg/kg in sows killed on PTD 5. The 99% upper tolerance limit with 95% confidence on the withdrawal time to assure levamisole residues of less than 0.10 mg/kg in liver tissue was 11 days.     

Efficacy of clavulanate-potentiated amoxycillin in experimental and clinical skin infections

The efficacy of clavulanate-potentiated amoxycillin was compared with amoxycillin alone in experimental staphylococcal infection in dogs and in a controlled trial in clinical cases of skin infection in dogs and cats. The experimental infection was produced by subdermal inoculation with beta-lactamase producing (amoxycillin resistant) staphylococci absorbed in cotton dust. This produced discrete, localised lesions with no systemic involvement. In a cross over study, six animals were randomly allocated to treatment with either amoxycillin alone (10 mg/kg, dosed twice daily) or a formulation of clavulanate-potentiated amoxycillin (12.5 mg/kg, of a 1:4 ratio, dosed twice daily). The lesions of the animals treated with clavulanate-potentiated amoxycillin resolved more quickly than those treated with amoxycillin alone. The difference was significant (P less than 0.05) for both lesion diameter and inflammation score after day 6 of treatment. A trial was carried out in clinical cases of skin disease which were randomly allocated to twice daily treatment with either amoxycillin alone (10 or 20 mg/kg), or with clavulanate-potentiated amoxycillin (12.5 or 25 mg/kg of a 1:4 ratio). The required duration of treatment was shorter (P less than 0.5) for the potentiated amoxycillin treatments, and the success rate (judged by cure or substantial improvement) was higher (P less than 0.05) for this group, especially (P less than 0.01) where amoxycillin resistant organisms were isolated. It was concluded that clavulanate-potentiated amoxycillin was an effective treatment of skin infections both under experimental and clinical conditions.     

以随机扩增多态性DNA(RAPD)技术筛选意大利蜜蜂重要农艺性状遗传标记

为了获得意大利蜜蜂重要农艺性状的分子遗传标记 ,本研究以 30种RAPD随机引物对平湖浆蜂、美意、澳意、苏意等 4个在产浆、采蜜和抗病性上存在较大差异的意蜂品系的基因组DNA进行RAPD_PCR扩增筛选。试验结果显示 ,随机引物W 1 8(5′_CGGACGGCGG_3′)和W2 3(5′_GTACCGCCCG_3′)的扩增图谱呈多态性。其中 ,在引物W 1 8所扩增出的 9条片断中 ,2 35 2bp和 36 4bp条带为美意所特有 ,表明可将之用于鉴别美意 ;2 0 92bp条带仅出现于蜂蜜高产的美意和澳意中 ,意味着该条带为一个蜂蜜高产性状的遗传标记 ;而 6 32bp条带在王浆高产品系平湖浆蜂中出现的频率 (0 91 )显著高于 (P <0 0 1 )美意(0 0 4 )、澳意 (0 0 2 )和苏意 (0 0 0 ) ,说明 6 32bp条带可能为王浆高产性状的一个遗传标记。在W2 3引物扩增条带中 ,6 5 1bp条带为澳意所特有 ,可用于澳意鉴别     

The growing prevalence of Nosema ceranae in honey bees in Spain, an emerging problem for the last decade

Microsporidiosis caused by infection with Nosema apis or Nosema ceranae has become one of the most widespread diseases of honey bees and can cause important economic losses for beekeepers. Honey can be contaminated by spores of both species and it has been reported as a suitable matrix to study the field prevalence of other honey bee sporulated pathogens. Historical honey sample collections from the CAR laboratory (Centro Apícola Regional) were analyzed by PCR to identify the earliest instance of emergence, and to determine whether the presence of Nosema spp. in honey was linked to the spread of these microsporidia in honey bee apiaries. A total of 240 frozen honey samples were analyzed by PCR and the results compared with rates of Nosema spp. infection in worker bee samples from different years and geographical areas. The presence of Nosema spp. in hive-stored honey from naturally infected honey bee colonies (from an experimental apiary) was also monitored, and although collected honey bees resulted in a more suitable sample to study the presence of microsporidian parasites in the colonies, a high probability of finding Nosema spp. in their hive-stored honey was observed. The first honey sample in which N. ceranae was detected dates back to the year 2000. In subsequent years, the number of samples containing N. ceranae tended to increase, as did the detection of Nosema spp. in adult worker bees. The presence of N. ceranae as early as 2000, long before generalized bee depopulation and colony losses in 2004 may be consistent with a long incubation period for nosemosis type C or related with other unknown factors. The current prevalence of nosemosis, primarily due to N. ceranae, has reached epidemic levels in Spain as confirmed by the analysis of worker honey bees and commercial honey.     

Fate of [14C]coumaphos after dermal application to lactating goats as a pour-on formulation

Two lactating Nubian goats were dermally treated with [14C]coumaphos (O-[3-chloro-4-methyl-2-oxo-2H-benzopyran-7-yl] O,O-diethyl phosphorothioate) as a 4% active ingredient pour-on formulation. Doses were administered, along the dorsal midline from withers to sacrum, at a rate equivalent to 14 mg of coumaphos/kg of body weight. During the 7 days after treatment, an average of less than 0.1, 4.7, and 1% of the administered dose was eliminated in the milk, urine, and feces, respectively. When goats were killed after 7 days, about 45% of the administered radiocarbon remained on the hair and skin, and this consisted almost entirely of intact coumaphos. Residues in selected tissues collected after 7 days were, in every case, less than 1 mg of coumaphos equivalent/kg of tissue, with highest residues in adipose tissue, followed by residues in kidney and liver. In milk, residue amounts plateaued after about 2 days and remained relatively constant at about 0.1 mg of coumaphos equivalent/kg of milk. Residues in adipose tissue and in milk consisted mainly of unmetabolized coumaphos. In urine, most radiocarbon was present as metabolites of coumaphos, but in feces, most radiocarbon was present as the intact parent compound. Coumaphos was absorbed slowly and at a constant rate after dermal application to lactating goats as a pour-on formulation.     

Effect of different levels of bee pollen on performance and blood profile of New Zealand White bucks and growth performance of their offspring during summer and winter months

The effect of bee pollen on productive and reproductive performances of adult buck rabbits and their offspring was studied during winter and summer seasons. Forty New Zealand White bucks were equally divided among four groups feeding the same commercial diet and receiving a water solution containing, respectively, 0 (control), 100, 200 and 300 mg bee pollen/kg body weight, twice per week along two experimental periods. The experimental periods were listed for ten weeks both during winter (30–40 weeks of age) and summer seasons (56–66 weeks of age). During the trials body weight, body weight gain, total feed intake, semen quality, fertility and blood constituents were determined. Fertility was determined after natural mating with no treated females. For each season, 80 weaned rabbits obtained from the bucks of the control group were equally divided (20 per group) among 4 levels (0, 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg BW) of bee pollen, given as a water solution twice per week. The offspring sired by bucks given 100, 200 and 300 mg (20 for each group and season) were not administrated bee pollen. The effect of bee pollen on growth performance of rabbits was studied from 4 to 12 weeks of age. Bee pollen at 200 mg/kg BW significantly (p < 0.01) improved semen quality, increased fertility percentage, improved biochemical profiles of blood and helps outstanding of bucks during both seasons. The same concentration of bee pollen increased body weight gain and survival rate and reduced feed intake and feed conversion ratio of offspring up to 12 weeks of age.     

Effects of dietary cottonseed meal, with and without iron treatment, on laying hens

1. The effects of feeding a screw-press expelled cottonseed meal (CSM) to laying hens at dietary concentrations of up to 300 g/kg, were studied over a 10 week period. 2. The overall performance of hens fed on a 75g CSM/kg diet was not significantly different from controls but a 300g CSM/kg diet, containing 255 mg free gossypol/kg and 87 mg cyclopropenoid fatty acids (CPFA)/kg and giving daily intakes per hen of 26.2 mg free gossypol and 9.0 mg CPFA, significantly reduced food intake (P less than 0.01) and egg production (P less than 0.01). The 150g CSM/kg diet (daily intakes of 14.6 mg free gossypol and 4.8 mg CPFA per hen) did not produce adverse effects initially but egg production was slightly depressed towards the end of the experimental period. 3. Treatment of the CSM with a solution of ferrous sulphate hepta-hydrate for inclusion in a 300g CSM/kg diet (100 mg/kg supplemental dietary iron) further reduced food intake (P less than 0.05) and egg production (P less than 0.05). 4. Storage of eggs at warm temperatures for up to 1 month did not lead to discolourations of any kind in the CSM diet groups, but resulted in yolk mottling, a condition reduced by treatment of the CSM with iron. 5. Storage of eggs at cold temperatures for 3 months resulted in brown yolk discolouration and the initial stages of pink albumen discolouration in the 300g CSM/kg diet group; the brown yolk discolouration was reduced by treatment of the CSM with iron.     

Residues in cattle grazed on land contaminated with heptachlor

Heptachlor epoxide residues exceeding the maximum residue limit of 0.2 mg/kg have been found in fat of cattle grazed on land previously treated with heptachlor prior to planting potatoes or maize. To determine the residues accumulated in cattle exposed to contaminated land and the rate of decline on removal from the contamination, steers were grazed on a former potato paddock which had been treated the 2 previous years with heptachlor at 1.1 kg/ha. Soil residues in the paddock varied from a total of 0.42 mg/kg heptachlor and its epoxide at the beginning of the trial to 0.31 mg/kg after 16 months. Residues in the soil decreased only slightly down to a depth of 300 mm. Pasture residues were less than 0.02 mg/kg (wet basis). Heptachlor epoxide residues in the body fat of the steers increased during 19 months of exposure and reached a maximum of 0.72 mg/kg. In 4 steers removed after 14 weeks exposure, the heptachlor epoxide concentrations continued to increase from a mean of 0.24 mg/kg to a mean of 0.34 mg/kg after a further 4 weeks. Concentrations then fell progressively with a half life of 11 weeks in the body fat. There was an apparent relationship between pasture length and body fat residue, with residues increasing as pasture length decreased. The results of the experiments preclude the option of grazing cattle on pasture grown on soil treated with heptachlor for any extended period of time. It is possible that if short pastures and soft soil are avoided, and if cattle are not exposed to contaminated land for any more than 1 week in each month, then residues would remain below the maximum residue limit of 0.2mg/kg heptachlor.     

Determination of carbendazim residues in the eggs, liver and pectoral muscle of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

The effect of carbendazim, a widely applied cereal seed dressing agent, was studied in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) during an overall period of eight weeks, consisting of a four-week feeding phase and a subsequent four-week excretion period. Body mass and feed consumption of the birds were monitored and residues of the active ingredient were determined by an analytical chemical method. During the eight-week study period, changes (either decrease or increase) directly attributable to the toxic effects of carbendazim were not found either in body mass or in feed consumption. Active ingredient levels exceeding the limit of detection were found in the liver (average: 0.0262 mg/kg) and pectoral muscle (average: 0.0236 mg/kg) of the birds and also in the egg (0.0338 mg/kg) samples. From the results it can be concluded that through the consumption of cereal seeds dressed with carbendazim, this active ingredient can be incorporated into the tissues of animals. Via the food chain, carbendazim can also enter the human organism, where it may cause various pathological changes in interaction with other chemicals.     

长白山中蜂活框代用饲料越冬技术的研究

长白山中蜂多数采用传统的木桶饲养方法繁殖和生产,每年到晚秋采取“杀鸡取卵”方式弃蜂毁巢取蜜,这种管理和生产方式不利于中蜂资源保护和产业化开发。通过试验表明:传统木桶饲养的长白山中蜂,越冬前改为活框饲养,把西方蜜蜂用白砂糖喂出的封盖蜜脾作为越冬饲料,越冬成活率可达到83.3%～93.3%。越冬蜂群势削弱率为32.0%～30.2%,越冬饲料消耗量为1.9～2.1kg/框。在蜂群健康强壮的基础上,整个越冬期温度高时蜂群不散团,温度低时箱内有轻霜不结冰,保持巢门畅通,越冬就会成功。     

不同分蜂方法的繁蜂效果研究

为了弄清西方蜜蜂在不同方法下进行分蜂后的繁蜂效果和生产性能,对2011年石榴花期前1个月左右已达11脾的蜂群,采取异地和本地分蜂两种方法进行人工分蜂,并对两种分蜂方法的蜂群增殖情况和蜂蜜产量进行了分析。结果表明,第1种分蜂方法优于第2种分蜂方法。第1种分蜂方法分出的蜂繁殖快、进蜜好,是一种理想的分蜂方法。     

Antimicrobials in beekeeping

The bee diseases American and European foulbrood and nosemosis can be treated with anti-infectious agents. However, in the EU and the USA the use of these agents in beekeeping is strictly regulated due to the lack of tolerance (e.g. Maximum Residue Limit) for residues of antibiotics and chemotherapeutics in honey. This article reviews the literature dealing with antimicrobials of interest in apiculture, stability of these antimicrobials in honey, and disposition of the antimicrobials in honeybee hives.     

QuEchERs-GC法测定蜜蜂生物体的氟胺氰菊酯残留

本文旨在开发一种快速、高效且准确的蜜蜂生物体氟胺氰菊酯药物残留检测方法。研究了3种填料对蜜蜂样品的净化效果,实验结果表明:采用PSA和C-18两种填料既能够有效去除蜜蜂基质干扰且能够实现准确回收。标准曲线在0.010¹.0 mg/L的浓度范围内,相关系数为0.9964。方法的检出限为4.52μg/kg,定量限为15.1μg/kg。三个不同浓度水平的平均回收率为78.41.0 mg/L的浓度范围内,相关系数为0.9964。方法的检出限为4.52μg/kg,定量限为15.1μg/kg。三个不同浓度水平的平均回收率为78.4⁹6.7%,日内相对标准偏差均低于10%,而日间的相对标准偏差仅在20μg/kg加标浓度时超出10%。实际样品的测定表明,蜜蜂体内的氟胺氰菊酯残留峰值主要集中在施药后的396.7%,日内相对标准偏差均低于10%,而日间的相对标准偏差仅在20μg/kg加标浓度时超出10%。实际样品的测定表明,蜜蜂体内的氟胺氰菊酯残留峰值主要集中在施药后的3⁷天,之后残留水平急剧下降至检出限附近。     

纳米技术在蜂产品中的应用前景

阐述了纳米技术在蜂胶、蜂毒和蜂蜡等蜂产品中的研究进展和应用前景,并简述了纳米技术在蜂产品应用中的潜在危害。     

Effect of bee pollen levels on productive, reproductive and blood traits of NZW rabbits

Forty New Zealand White (NZW) rabbit does were equally divided among four groups feeding the same commercial diet and receiving a water solution containing, respectively, 0 (control), 100, 200 and 300 mg bee pollen/kg body weight (BW), 1 week before and after mating during moderate (October-February) and hot seasons (May-September) for three consecutive mating in each season. Does were mated with non-treated adult NZW male rabbits 11 days after kindling. Body weight of does, number of service per conception, conception rate, feed intake, litter size, milk production, blood constituents, weight of kits from birth up to weaning and survival rate were determined. For each season, 80 weaned rabbits originated from the does of the control group (untreated does) were equally divided into four groups (0, 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg BW) of bee pollen, given as a water solution twice per week from 4 to 12 weeks of age. The kit of the does given 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg BW did not receive bee pollen during the growing period (4-12 weeks of age). The effect of bee pollen on growing rabbit's performance was studied from 4 to 12 week of age. Bee pollen at 200 mg significantly (p < 0.01) increased body weight of does, conception rate, milk yield, litter size; improved biochemical profiles of blood and helps outstanding of does during both seasons. The same dose of bee pollen significantly increased kit growth and their survival rate until weaning. Growth and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of kits from the treated does during 4-8 weeks of age were significantly better than growth of kits from the untreated does that administrated bee pollen during 4-12 weeks of age. Meanwhile, during the following period (8-12 weeks of age) growth and FCR of kits given bee pollen from the untreated does were significantly better than that of treated does.     

蜂花粉的营养价值研究

蜂花粉经微波消解完全后,通过ICP—OES测定其多种微量元素的含量。实验得出：蜂花粉中含有丰富的微量元素,平均含量以钙、铁、镁居多,分别为1118．11mg／kg、782．135mg／kg、82．351mg/kg。其他被检测的微量元素均有一定的含量,且均在人体健康适用范围之内,而有毒害性的元素铅、镉含量极微。由此可见,蜂花粉因其含量丰富的微量元素而具有极高的营养价值。     

人工饲粮对幼年工蜂生长发育及生理代谢的影响

本试验利用液相色谱-质谱联用技术(LC-MS)对幼年工蜂进行代谢组学分析,旨在探究不同人工饲粮对幼年工蜂生长发育及生理代谢的影响,为蜂王邮寄的人工饲粮配制提供一定理论依据。试验选取1日龄的意大利蜜蜂(Apis mellifera ligustica)300只,分为5组,分别饲喂5种人工饲粮,每组30只工蜂。对照组饲粮:蔗糖粉∶蜂蜜=3∶1;试验组A饲粮:蔗糖粉∶蜂粮∶蜂蜜=6∶5∶1;试验组B饲粮:蔗糖粉∶蜂粮∶蜂蜜=6∶3∶1;试验组C饲粮:蔗糖粉∶花粉∶蜂蜜=6∶5∶1;试验组D饲粮:蔗糖粉∶花粉∶蜂蜜=6∶3∶1。用5种人工饲粮进行室内喂养,记录蜜蜂7 d内的死亡数量;解剖试验组A和对照组第1、3、5、7天的工蜂咽下腺,测定其平均重量、颜色和饱满度;采用LC-MS方法检测试验组A和对照组蜜蜂饲喂7 d后的代谢物差异,对检测数据进行模式识别分析,筛选并鉴别差异代谢物。结果表明:1)对照组和试验组A蜜蜂第1~5天时均没有出现死亡,在第6和7天时试验组A蜜蜂死亡数量均显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。试验组B、C、D的蜜蜂在6 d内全部死亡。2)试验组A第7天时的蜜蜂咽下腺平均重量显著高于对照组(P<0.05),咽下腺颜色为全部乳白色,且咽下腺小体饱满。3)采用主成分分析(PCA)、偏最小二乘法判别方法(PLS-DA)和正交偏最小二乘方-判别分析(OPLS-DA)分析代谢组数据,结果显示试验组A和对照组明显分离,共鉴定出23个差异代谢物,包括氨基酸、脂类、糖类等,其中有10种代谢物上调,13种代谢物下调。差异代谢物通路分析发现,差异极显著的通路有牛磺酸和亚牛磺酸生物合成通路、赖氨酸降解通路、戊糖磷酸盐代谢通路、戊糖和葡萄糖醛酸相互转化通路(P<0.01),差异显著的通路有氨基酸的生物合成通路,色氨酸代谢通路,碳代谢通路,丁酸代谢通路,丙氨酸、天冬氨酸和谷氨酸代谢通路,丙酮酸代谢通路(P<0.05)。由此可见,试验组A的饲粮更适合蜜蜂工蜂的生长发育和生存,在邮寄环境中可代替常用的炼糖饲粮。