Volume: 4, 2025
4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: A001
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.A001
Published online: 9 April 2025
ICDSUPL, 4, A001 (2025)
Effect of feeding phacelia pollen monodiets on antioxidant activities in the hemolymph of worker honey bees
Maciej Sylwester Bryś1*, Anna Gryboś2, Aneta Strachecka1
1 Department of Invertebrate Ecophysiology and Experimental Biology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Doświadczalna 50a, 20-280 Lublin, Poland
2 Department of Invertebrate Ecophysiology and Experimental Biology, Section of Environmental Biology SSA Environmental Protection, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Doświadczalna 50a, 20-280 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: maciej.brys@up.lublin.pl
Abstract
Intensification of agriculture and the expansion of large-scale farms have led to landscape homogenization and a consequent reduction in floral diversity. Facelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth.) stands out as an attractive pollen source for pollinators due to its fast vegetative growth, long flowering period, and high protein content in its pollen loads (27%). The aim of the study was to determine the effect of phacelia pollen on antioxidant parameters in the hemolymph of Apis mellifera L. The control group was fed sugar candy only, while the experimental group received sugar candy supplemented with 10% phacelia pollen. In each group, hemolymph samples were collected from 7- and 14-day-old workers. Antioxidant enzyme activities, including those of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), were determined in the hemolymph using a commercial kit according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Honey bees fed with phacelia pollen exhibited a significant increase in antioxidant enzyme activities in their hemolymph compared to the control group. The enhanced activities of SOD, CAT, GST, and GPx suggest that phacelia pollen supplementation improves the detoxification capabilities of honey bees. These findings highlight then potential of phacelia pollen to counteract the adverse effects of a monodiet, especially in the hemolymph, which plays a critical role in nutrient transport and immune response. This study demonstrates that incorporating phacelia pollen into the diet of honey bees enhances the enzymatic defense systems in their hemolymph. These results support the potential integration of phacelia into pollinator forage mixtures or as an additive in supplemental feeding strategies, thereby mitigating the negative impacts of reduced floral diversity on honey bee health.
This study was funded by the National Science Centre (NCN) of Poland; PRELUDIUM Grant No. 2022/45/N/NZ9/01333
Keywords: immune system, antimicrobial peptides, hemolymph, Apis mellifera L.
How to cite
M.S. Bryś, A. Gryboś, A. Strachecka, 2025. Effect of feeding phacelia pollen monodiets on antioxidant activities in the hemolymph of worker honey bees. In: 4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.A001