Using Front-Face Fluorescence Spectroscopy and Biochemical Analysis of Honey to Assess a Marker for the Level of Varroa destructor Infestation of Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Colonies

Abstract

Varroa destructor is a parasitic mite responsible for the loss of honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies. This study aimed to find a promising marker in honey for the bee colony infestation level using fluorescence spectroscopy and biochemical analyses. We examined whether the parameters of the honey samples’ fluorescence spectra and biochemical parameters, both related to proteins and phenolics, may be connected with the level of honey bee colonies’ infestation. The infestation level was highly positively correlated with the catalase activity in honey (r = 0.936). Additionally, the infestation level was positively correlated with the phenolic spectral component (r = 0.656), which was tentatively related to the phenolics in honey. No correlation was found between the diastase activity in honey and the colonies’ infestation level. The results indicate that the catalase activity in honey and the PFC1 spectral component may be reliable markers for the V. destructor infestation level of the colonies. The obtained data may be related to the honey yield obtained from the apiaries.

Risk analysis of Apis mellifera colony losses and health assessment in Albania from 2021 to 2023

“…To mitigate losses and increase the resilience of bee families, M. Stanković et al (2023) recommend several preventive measures. Firstly, improving the genetic quality of mothers is of paramount importance.…”

Expression and characterization of the antifungal protein PtAFP from Pyrenophora tritci-repentis by synonymous codon bias in Escherichia coli

“…Because of the fluorescence-indicating properties of tryptophan and tyrosine in protein [21,22], the expressed recombinant antifungal protein PtAFP containing tryptophan (3 residues) and tyrosine (2 residues) could be carried out for insights into protein structure changes by different temperature. PtAFP was allowed to react for 6 h at different temperatures, and strong fluorescence intensity at 342 nm was observed at 30°C (Figure 6).…”

Intrinsic Fluorescence Markers for Food Characteristics, Shelf Life, and Safety Estimation: Advanced Analytical Approach

“…The characteristic regions correspond to the phenolic compounds ( Figure 5 a,b), and aromatic amino acids/proteins ( Figure 5 c). The infestation level was highly positively correlated with the catalase activity and the PARAFAC spectral component linked to the phenolics in honey [ 85 ]. These results indicate that PARAFAC phenolic component, together with the catalase activity, may be a promising marker for Varroa destructor infestation levels of colonies, by screening corresponding honey samples.…”

“… EEM heatmaps for the first ( a ) and the second ( b ) PARAFAC component corresponding to phenolics, and the third PARAFAC component ( c ) corresponding to proteins. Intensity scale is in arbitrary units (reproduced from reference [ 85 ]). …”