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Catalano P, Della Sala F, Cavaliere M, Caputo C, Pecoraro D, Crispino G, Lettera S, Caioni G, Esposito M, Verre A, Castellone L, Bianco E, Amorena M. Use of Honey Bees and Hive Products as Bioindicators to Assess Environmental Contamination in Targeted Areas of the Campania Region (Italy). Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1446. [PMID: 38791663 PMCID: PMC11117287 DOI: 10.3390/ani14101446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, biomonitoring has gained more attention, particularly when assessing the environmental health of significant areas, such as those near waste-to-energy facilities. These requirements coincide with the chance to detect environmental pollutants using sensitive organisms. Bees were shown to be quite effective in evaluating the presence of certain compounds by analyzing their associated matrices, such as pollen, honey, or wax. In our study, we employed the honey bee (Apis mellifera) as an indicator to initially monitor the vicinity of the waste-to-energy plant in Acerra, which is situated in the Campania region of Italy. The primary aim was to determine whether the facility was accountable for any environmental releases of dioxins or dioxin-like compounds. Then, we assessed the presence of additional pollutants in the same area, including trace elements, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and pesticides, released by human activities. To obtain further information about environmental quality, a second biomonitoring station was installed near the Caivano S.T.I.R. (Waste Shredding, Sifting, and Packaging Plant). The results showed the dioxin levels did not exceed predetermined limitations at the Acerra site, thus demonstrating the efficacy of the waste-to-energy facility and the bees' ability to detect the presence of other pollutants. Additionally, this biomonitoring system exhibited sensitivity to environmental variations, thereby enabling the evaluation of xenobiotic flux between two proximate zones and across temporal scales. This pioneering study suggests the advantages of utilizing bees to detect a wide range of contaminants, thereby providing valuable insights into environmental quality and potential health risks for both ecosystems and human populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizio Catalano
- Department of Prevention of ASL Napoli2nord, Frattamaggiore, 80027 Naples, Italy; (P.C.); (M.C.); (C.C.); (D.P.); (G.C.); (S.L.); (A.V.); (L.C.); (E.B.)
| | | | - Maria Cavaliere
- Department of Prevention of ASL Napoli2nord, Frattamaggiore, 80027 Naples, Italy; (P.C.); (M.C.); (C.C.); (D.P.); (G.C.); (S.L.); (A.V.); (L.C.); (E.B.)
| | - Carla Caputo
- Department of Prevention of ASL Napoli2nord, Frattamaggiore, 80027 Naples, Italy; (P.C.); (M.C.); (C.C.); (D.P.); (G.C.); (S.L.); (A.V.); (L.C.); (E.B.)
| | - Domenico Pecoraro
- Department of Prevention of ASL Napoli2nord, Frattamaggiore, 80027 Naples, Italy; (P.C.); (M.C.); (C.C.); (D.P.); (G.C.); (S.L.); (A.V.); (L.C.); (E.B.)
| | - Giulia Crispino
- Department of Prevention of ASL Napoli2nord, Frattamaggiore, 80027 Naples, Italy; (P.C.); (M.C.); (C.C.); (D.P.); (G.C.); (S.L.); (A.V.); (L.C.); (E.B.)
| | - Stefania Lettera
- Department of Prevention of ASL Napoli2nord, Frattamaggiore, 80027 Naples, Italy; (P.C.); (M.C.); (C.C.); (D.P.); (G.C.); (S.L.); (A.V.); (L.C.); (E.B.)
| | - Giulia Caioni
- Department of Bioscience and Agro-Food and Environmental Technology, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy;
| | - Mauro Esposito
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l’Analisi e Studio di Correlazione tra Ambiente, Animale e Uomo, IZS Mezzogiorno, Portici, 80055 Naples, Italy;
| | - Antonio Verre
- Department of Prevention of ASL Napoli2nord, Frattamaggiore, 80027 Naples, Italy; (P.C.); (M.C.); (C.C.); (D.P.); (G.C.); (S.L.); (A.V.); (L.C.); (E.B.)
| | - Luigi Castellone
- Department of Prevention of ASL Napoli2nord, Frattamaggiore, 80027 Naples, Italy; (P.C.); (M.C.); (C.C.); (D.P.); (G.C.); (S.L.); (A.V.); (L.C.); (E.B.)
| | - Enrico Bianco
- Department of Prevention of ASL Napoli2nord, Frattamaggiore, 80027 Naples, Italy; (P.C.); (M.C.); (C.C.); (D.P.); (G.C.); (S.L.); (A.V.); (L.C.); (E.B.)
| | - Michele Amorena
- Department of Bioscience and Agro-Food and Environmental Technology, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy;
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Meng Q, Huang R, Yang S, Li H, Yue D, Gong X, Zhao W, Tian Y, Dong K. Impact of Brood Cell Cocoons on Metal Accumulation and CYP450 Detoxification Gene Expression in Apis cerana cerana. TOXICS 2024; 12:131. [PMID: 38393226 PMCID: PMC10892446 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12020131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Honey bees play a critical role as pollinators. However, their reproduction success and survival face severe threats due to the deterioration of their living environment. Notably, environmental conditions during their preimaginal stage inside brood cells can influence their immune capabilities and overall health after emergence. During the in-cell developmental stage, workers are in close contact with cocoons, which can become a source of stress due to accumulated metals. To investigate this potential threat, experiments were conducted to examine the impact of cocoons in brood cells used to rear different generations on the metal content and detoxification gene expression levels in Apis cerana cerana. Our findings indicated significant differences in the layers, weight, base thickness, and metal contents like Cr, Cd, Pb, Mn, Ni, and As of cocoons in multi-generation brood cells compared to single-generation brood cells. These increases led to significant elevations in metal levels and upregulations of the four CYP450 detoxification genes in both six-day-old larvae and newly emerged workers. In conclusion, this study highlights the negative impact of cocoons in multi-generation brood cells on bee health and provides evidence supporting the development of rational apiculture management strategies for ecosystem stability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Yakai Tian
- Yunnan Provincial Engineering and Research Center for Sustainable Utilization of Honeybee Resources, Eastern Bee Research Institute, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (Q.M.); (R.H.); (S.Y.); (H.L.); (D.Y.); (X.G.); (W.Z.)
| | - Kun Dong
- Yunnan Provincial Engineering and Research Center for Sustainable Utilization of Honeybee Resources, Eastern Bee Research Institute, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (Q.M.); (R.H.); (S.Y.); (H.L.); (D.Y.); (X.G.); (W.Z.)
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Meng Q, Huang R, Li H, Gong X, Yue D, Jiang W, Tian Y, Dong K. Analysis of comb-gnawing behavior in Apis cerana cerana (Hymenoptera: Apidae). JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2024; 24:19. [PMID: 38417131 PMCID: PMC10901539 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieae020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Apis cerana cerana exhibits a prominent biological trait known as comb gnawing. In this study, gnawed combs from colonies during different seasons were collected, investigating the comb age and locations of gnawing. Patterns of comb gnawing were recorded, and the effects of 2 factors, namely, comb type and season, on the mass of wax residues and the gnawed surface area were measured. The results revealed that A. c. cerana predominantly gnaws combs that have been used for over 6 months, with gnawing concentrated in the brood-rearing area. In the first 3 seasons, significantly higher masses of wax residues and larger gnawed surface areas were found in greater wax moth larvae (GWML)-infested combs compared to newly built and old combs. Also, there were significantly higher masses and areas gnawed by A. c. cerana in old combs compared to newly built combs in all 4 seasons. Compared to other seasons, it exhibited significantly higher masses and areas resulting from comb-gnawing in newly built or old combs in winter. However, there were no significant differences in the masses of wax residues and surface areas gnawed in GWML-infested combs across the first 3 seasons. In conclusion, this study documented the impact of comb type and season on the comb-gnawing behavior of A. c. cerana, contributing to beekeeping management practices and the current understanding of bee biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingxin Meng
- Yunnan Provincial Engineering and Research Center for Sustainable Utilization of Honeybee Resources, Eastern Bee Research Institute, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Rong Huang
- Yunnan Provincial Engineering and Research Center for Sustainable Utilization of Honeybee Resources, Eastern Bee Research Institute, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Hui Li
- Yunnan Provincial Engineering and Research Center for Sustainable Utilization of Honeybee Resources, Eastern Bee Research Institute, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Xueyang Gong
- Yunnan Provincial Engineering and Research Center for Sustainable Utilization of Honeybee Resources, Eastern Bee Research Institute, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Dan Yue
- Yunnan Provincial Engineering and Research Center for Sustainable Utilization of Honeybee Resources, Eastern Bee Research Institute, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Wutao Jiang
- Yunnan Provincial Engineering and Research Center for Sustainable Utilization of Honeybee Resources, Eastern Bee Research Institute, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Yakai Tian
- Yunnan Provincial Engineering and Research Center for Sustainable Utilization of Honeybee Resources, Eastern Bee Research Institute, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
| | - Kun Dong
- Yunnan Provincial Engineering and Research Center for Sustainable Utilization of Honeybee Resources, Eastern Bee Research Institute, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China
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de Santana SEA, Serrão JE, de Carvalho CAL, de Abreu Júnior PB, Waldschmidt AM. Chemical Profile of Elements in the Stingless Bee Melipona scutellaris (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini) from Sites with Distinct Anthropogenic Activities. Biol Trace Elem Res 2023; 201:5431-5440. [PMID: 36781716 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-023-03586-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Stingless bees are pollinators in forests and crops that, during foraging, may be exposed to several environmental xenobiotics, including metallic elements. This study evaluated the presence of magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), molybdenum (Mo), cadmium (Cd), barium (Ba), and lead (Pb) over the body surface of the stingless bee Melipona scutellaris visiting areas with different anthropogenic activity levels. The analyses were carried out using scanning electron microscopy with X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/XEDS) and all tested elements were identified. Lead was the most abundant element in all samples, whereas Mn had the lowest abundance. High amounts of Cu and Zn were detected in the areas with metallurgic industries. The presence of metals on the body surface of this stingless bee varied according to the level of human activities in the studied areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sintia Emmanuelle Andrade de Santana
- Graduation Program in Genetics, Biodiversity and Conservation, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia-UESB, Rua José Moreira Sobrinho, s/n, Jequiezinho, BA, ZIP code 45208-091, Jequié, Brazil.
| | - José Eduardo Serrão
- Department of General Biology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa-UFV, Avenida Peter Henry Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, MG, ZIP code 36570-900, Viçosa, Brazil
| | - Carlos Alfredo Lopes de Carvalho
- Center of Agricultural, Environmental and Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia-UFRB, Av. Rui Barbosa, 710, BA, ZIP code 44380-000, Cruz das Almas, Brazil
| | - Paulo Barros de Abreu Júnior
- Graduation Program in Genetics, Biodiversity and Conservation, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia-UESB, Rua José Moreira Sobrinho, s/n, Jequiezinho, BA, ZIP code 45208-091, Jequié, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Waldschmidt
- Graduation Program in Genetics, Biodiversity and Conservation, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia-UESB, Rua José Moreira Sobrinho, s/n, Jequiezinho, BA, ZIP code 45208-091, Jequié, Brazil
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Dietary exposure to heavy metals through polyfloral honey from Campania region (Italy). J Food Compost Anal 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jfca.2022.104748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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