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Bava R, Lupia C, Castagna F, Ruga S, Nucera S, Caminiti R, Bulotta RM, Naccari C, Carresi C, Musolino V, Statti G, Britti D, Mollace V, Palma E. Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction for the Control of Flupyradifurone-Induced Poisoning in Honeybees. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:608. [PMID: 38396576 PMCID: PMC10886160 DOI: 10.3390/ani14040608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Flupyradifurone (FLU) is a butenolide insecticide that has come onto the market relatively recently. It is used in agriculture to control aphids, psyllids, and whiteflies. Toxicity studies have decreed its low toxicity to honeybees. However, recent research has challenged these claims; oral exposure to the pesticide can lead to behavioral abnormalities and in the worst cases, lethal phenomena. Compounds with antioxidant activity, such as flavonoids and polyphenols, have been shown to protect against the toxic effects of pesticides. The aim of this research was to evaluate the possible protective effect of the bergamot polyphenolic fraction (BPF) against behavioral abnormalities and lethality induced by toxic doses of FLU orally administered to honeybees under laboratory conditions. Honeybees were assigned to experimental groups in which two toxic doses of FLU, 50 mg/L and 100 mg/L were administered. In other replicates, three doses (1, 2 and 5 mg/kg) of the bergamot polyphenolic fraction (BPF) were added to the above toxic doses. In the experimental groups intoxicated with FLU at the highest dose tested, all caged subjects (20 individuals) died within the second day of administration. The survival probability of the groups to which the BPF was added was compared to that of the groups to which only the toxic doses of FLU were administered. The mortality rate in the BPF groups was statistically lower (p < 0.05) than in the intoxicated groups; in addition, a lower percentage of individuals exhibited behavioral abnormalities. According to this research, the ingestion of the BPF attenuates the harmful effects of FLU. Further studies are needed before proposing BPF incorporation into the honeybees' diet, but there already seem to be beneficial effects associated with its intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Bava
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (S.N.); (R.C.); (R.M.B.); (C.N.); (C.C.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (V.M.); (E.P.)
| | - Carmine Lupia
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (S.N.); (R.C.); (R.M.B.); (C.N.); (C.C.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (V.M.); (E.P.)
- Mediterranean Ethnobotanical Conservatory, 88054 Sersale, Italy
| | - Fabio Castagna
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (S.N.); (R.C.); (R.M.B.); (C.N.); (C.C.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (V.M.); (E.P.)
- Mediterranean Ethnobotanical Conservatory, 88054 Sersale, Italy
| | - Stefano Ruga
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (S.N.); (R.C.); (R.M.B.); (C.N.); (C.C.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (V.M.); (E.P.)
| | - Saverio Nucera
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (S.N.); (R.C.); (R.M.B.); (C.N.); (C.C.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (V.M.); (E.P.)
| | - Rosamaria Caminiti
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (S.N.); (R.C.); (R.M.B.); (C.N.); (C.C.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (V.M.); (E.P.)
| | - Rosa Maria Bulotta
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (S.N.); (R.C.); (R.M.B.); (C.N.); (C.C.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (V.M.); (E.P.)
| | - Clara Naccari
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (S.N.); (R.C.); (R.M.B.); (C.N.); (C.C.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (V.M.); (E.P.)
| | - Cristina Carresi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (S.N.); (R.C.); (R.M.B.); (C.N.); (C.C.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (V.M.); (E.P.)
| | - Vincenzo Musolino
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (S.N.); (R.C.); (R.M.B.); (C.N.); (C.C.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (V.M.); (E.P.)
| | - Giancarlo Statti
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy;
| | - Domenico Britti
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (S.N.); (R.C.); (R.M.B.); (C.N.); (C.C.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (V.M.); (E.P.)
| | - Vincenzo Mollace
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (S.N.); (R.C.); (R.M.B.); (C.N.); (C.C.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (V.M.); (E.P.)
- Center for Pharmacological Research, Food Safety, High Tech and Health (IRC-FSH), University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Ernesto Palma
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (S.N.); (R.C.); (R.M.B.); (C.N.); (C.C.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (V.M.); (E.P.)
- Center for Pharmacological Research, Food Safety, High Tech and Health (IRC-FSH), University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
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Bava R, Castagna F, Lupia C, Ruga S, Conforti F, Marrelli M, Argentieri MP, Musella V, Britti D, Statti G, Palma E. Phytochemical Composition and Pharmacological Efficacy Evaluation of Calamintha nepeta, Calamintha sylvatica, Lavandula austroapennina and Mentha piperita Essential Oils for the Control of Honeybee ( Apis mellifera) Varroosis. Animals (Basel) 2023; 14:69. [PMID: 38200800 PMCID: PMC10778109 DOI: 10.3390/ani14010069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Varroa destructor is currently considered the parasite that causes the greatest damage and economic losses to honeybee farms. Its presence is often associated with that of viral and bacterial pathogens, which ultimately leads to colony collapse. Careful control of the parasitic load is therefore necessary to avoid the onset of these events. Although chemical treatments are often in easily and quickly administered formulations, in recent years, there have been increasingly frequent reports of the onset of drug resistance phenomena, which must lead to reconsidering their use. Furthermore, chemical compounds can easily accumulate in the food matrices of the hive, with possible risks for the final consumer. In such a condition, it is imperative to find alternative treatment solutions. Essential oils (EOs) prove to be promising candidates due to their good efficacy and good environmental biodegradability. In this study, the acaricidal efficacy of the EOs of Calamintha sylvatica Bromf., Calamintha nepeta Savi, Lavandula austroapennina N.G. Passal. Tundis & Upson and Mentha piperita L., extracted from botanical species belonging to the Lamiaceae family, was evaluated. The test chosen for the evaluation was residual toxicity by contact. The examined EOs were diluted in Acetone to a concentration of 2, 1 and 0.5 mg/mL. At the highest concentration, the EOs demonstrated an acaricidal activity equal to 52% for C. nepeta, 60% for C. sylvatica, 80% for L. austroapennina and 68% for M. piperita. Of the EOs tested, therefore, Lavender proves to be a good candidate for subsequent evaluations in semi-field and field studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Bava
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, CZ, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (E.P.)
| | - Fabio Castagna
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, CZ, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (E.P.)
- Mediterranean Ethnobotanical Conservatory, 88054 Sersale, CZ, Italy
| | - Carmine Lupia
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, CZ, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (E.P.)
- Mediterranean Ethnobotanical Conservatory, 88054 Sersale, CZ, Italy
| | - Stefano Ruga
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, CZ, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (E.P.)
| | - Filomena Conforti
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy; (F.C.); (M.M.); (G.S.)
| | - Mariangela Marrelli
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy; (F.C.); (M.M.); (G.S.)
| | - Maria Pia Argentieri
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, BA, Italy;
| | - Vincenzo Musella
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, CZ, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (E.P.)
| | - Domenico Britti
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, CZ, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (E.P.)
| | - Giancarlo Statti
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, CS, Italy; (F.C.); (M.M.); (G.S.)
| | - Ernesto Palma
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, CZ, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (E.P.)
- Department of Health Sciences, Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health (IRC-FISH), University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, CZ, Italy
- Nutramed S.c.a.r.l., Complesso Ninì Barbieri, Roccelletta di Borgia, 88021 Catanzaro, CZ, Italy
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Bava R, Castagna F, Lupia C, Ruga S, Musella V, Conforti F, Marrelli M, Argentieri MP, Britti D, Statti G, Palma E. Chemical Profile of Essential Oils of Selected Lamiaceae Plants and In Vitro Activity for Varroosis Control in Honeybees (Apis mellifera). Vet Sci 2023; 10:701. [PMID: 38133253 PMCID: PMC10747025 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10120701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The most significant ectoparasitic mite of honeybees, Varroa destructor, has a detrimental effect on bee health and honey output. The principal strategy used by the control programs is the application of synthetic acaricides. All of this has resulted in drug resistance, which is now a major worry for beekeeping. As a result, research on alternate products and techniques for mite management is now required. The aim of this study was to determine whether essential oils (EOs) extracted from botanical species of Lamiacae, typical of the Calabria region of Southern Italy, could reduce the population of the mite V. destructor. Among the best-known genera of the Lamiaceae family are oregano, rosemary and thyme, whose EOs were employed in this study. By steam distillation, the EOs were extracted from Origanum vulgare subsp. viridulum (Martrin-Donos) Nyman, Thymus capitatus Hoffmanns. and Link, Thymus longicaulis C.Presl and Salvia rosmarinus Schleid. plant species harvested directly on the Calabrian territory in their balsamic time. Each EO went to the test in vitro (contact toxicity) against V. destructor. Fifty adult female mites, five for each EO and the positive and negative control, were used in each experimental replicate. The positive controls comprised five individuals treated to Amitraz dilute in acetone, and the negative controls included five individuals exposed to acetone alone. To create the working solution to be tested (50 μL/tube), the EOs were diluted (0.5 mg/mL, 1 mg/mL, 2 mg/mL and 4 mg/mL) in HPLC-grade acetone. After 1 h of exposure, mite mortality was manually assessed. Origanum vulgare subsp. viridulum, Thymus capitatus and Thymus longicaulis were the EOs with the highest levels of efficiency at 2 mg/mL, neutralizing (dead + inactivated), 94%, 92% and 94% of parasites, respectively. Salvia rosmarinus EO gave a lower efficacy, resulting in a percentage of 38%. Interestingly, no adverse effects were highlighted in toxicity tests on honeybees. These results show that these OEs of the Lamiaceae family have antiparasitic action on V. destructor. Therefore, they could be used, individually or combined, to exploit the synergistic effect for a more sustainable control of this parasite mite in honeybee farms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Bava
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (E.P.)
| | - Fabio Castagna
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (E.P.)
- Mediterranean Ethnobotanical Conservatory, 88054 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Carmine Lupia
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (E.P.)
- Mediterranean Ethnobotanical Conservatory, 88054 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Stefano Ruga
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (E.P.)
| | - Vincenzo Musella
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (E.P.)
| | - Filomena Conforti
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (F.C.); (M.M.); (G.S.)
| | - Mariangela Marrelli
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (F.C.); (M.M.); (G.S.)
| | - Maria Pia Argentieri
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, Italy;
| | - Domenico Britti
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (E.P.)
| | - Giancarlo Statti
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Cosenza, Italy; (F.C.); (M.M.); (G.S.)
| | - Ernesto Palma
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (C.L.); (S.R.); (V.M.); (D.B.); (E.P.)
- Department of Health Sciences, Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health (IRC-FISH), University of Catanzaro Magna Græcia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Nutramed S.c.a.r.l., Complesso Ninì Barbieri, 88021 Catanzaro, Italy
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Bava R, Castagna F, Ruga S, Caminiti R, Nucera S, Bulotta RM, Naccari C, Britti D, Mollace V, Palma E. Protective Role of Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction (BPF) against Deltamethrin Toxicity in Honeybees ( Apis mellifera). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3764. [PMID: 38136801 PMCID: PMC10741048 DOI: 10.3390/ani13243764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Pesticide-induced poisoning phenomena are a serious problem for beekeeping and can cause large losses of honeybee populations due to acute and sub-acute poisoning. The reduced responsiveness of honeybees to the damage caused by pesticides used in agriculture can be traced back to a general qualitative and quantitative impoverishment of the nectar resources of terrestrial ecosystems. Malnutrition is associated with a decline in the functionality of the immune system and the systems that are delegated to the detoxification of the organism. This research aimed to verify whether bergamot polyphenolic extract (BPF) could have protective effects against poisoning by the pyrethroid pesticide deltamethrin. The studies were conducted with caged honeybees under controlled conditions. Sub-lethal doses of pesticides and related treatments for BPF were administered. At a dose of 21.6 mg/L, deltamethrin caused mortality in all treated subjects (20 caged honeybees) after one day of administration. The groups where BPF (1 mg/kg) was added to the toxic solution recorded the survival of honeybees by up to three days. Comparing the honeybees of the groups in which the BPF-deltamethrin association was added to the normal diet (sugar solution) with those in which deltamethrin alone was added to the normal diet, the BPF group had a statistically significant reduction in the honeybee mortality rate (p ≤ 0.05) and a greater consumption of food. Therefore, it can be argued that the inclusion of BPF and its constituent antioxidants in the honeybee diet reduces toxicity and oxidative stress caused by oral intake of deltamethrin. Furthermore, it can be argued that BPF administration could compensate for metabolic energy deficits often induced by the effects of malnutrition caused by environmental degradation and standard beekeeping practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Bava
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (F.C.); (S.R.); (R.C.); (S.N.); (R.M.B.); (C.N.); (D.B.); (V.M.)
| | - Fabio Castagna
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (F.C.); (S.R.); (R.C.); (S.N.); (R.M.B.); (C.N.); (D.B.); (V.M.)
- Mediterranean Ethnobotanical Conservatory, Sersale (CZ), 88054 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Stefano Ruga
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (F.C.); (S.R.); (R.C.); (S.N.); (R.M.B.); (C.N.); (D.B.); (V.M.)
| | - Rosamaria Caminiti
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (F.C.); (S.R.); (R.C.); (S.N.); (R.M.B.); (C.N.); (D.B.); (V.M.)
| | - Saverio Nucera
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (F.C.); (S.R.); (R.C.); (S.N.); (R.M.B.); (C.N.); (D.B.); (V.M.)
| | - Rosa Maria Bulotta
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (F.C.); (S.R.); (R.C.); (S.N.); (R.M.B.); (C.N.); (D.B.); (V.M.)
| | - Clara Naccari
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (F.C.); (S.R.); (R.C.); (S.N.); (R.M.B.); (C.N.); (D.B.); (V.M.)
| | - Domenico Britti
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (F.C.); (S.R.); (R.C.); (S.N.); (R.M.B.); (C.N.); (D.B.); (V.M.)
| | - Vincenzo Mollace
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (F.C.); (S.R.); (R.C.); (S.N.); (R.M.B.); (C.N.); (D.B.); (V.M.)
- Department of Health Sciences, Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health (IRC-FSH), University of Catanzaro Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Nutramed S.c.a.r.l., Complesso Ninì Barbieri, Roccelletta di Borgia, 88021 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Ernesto Palma
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Catanzaro Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.B.); (F.C.); (S.R.); (R.C.); (S.N.); (R.M.B.); (C.N.); (D.B.); (V.M.)
- Department of Health Sciences, Institute of Research for Food Safety & Health (IRC-FSH), University of Catanzaro Magna Graecia, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
- Nutramed S.c.a.r.l., Complesso Ninì Barbieri, Roccelletta di Borgia, 88021 Catanzaro, Italy
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