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Biologically Active Extracts from Different Medicinal Plants Tested as Potential Additives against Bee Pathogens
Claudia Pașca1, Ioana Adriana Matei2, Zorița Diaconeasa3
1Department of Apiculture and Sericulture, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Biotechnologies, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)
|August 27, 2021
Summary
Natural plant extracts show promise in combating honey bee diseases like nosemosis. A specific blend of blueberry, absinthium, and other botanicals demonstrated strong antimicrobial activity against common bee pathogens.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Veterinary Entomology
- Phytochemistry
Background:
- Honey bee (Apis mellifera) pollination is crucial for global agriculture and economy.
- Honey bee health is threatened by diseases such as nosemosis, American foulbrood (AFB), European foulbrood (EFB), and chalkbrood.
- Declining bee populations necessitate effective and sustainable disease management strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antimicrobial properties of natural plant extracts against significant honey bee pathogens.
- To develop and test novel, natural-based formulations as alternatives to synthetic antibiotics for bee disease treatment.
Main Methods:
- Phytochemical characterization of plant extracts (Agastache foeniculum, Artemisia absinthium, Evernia prunastri, Humulus lupulus, Laurus nobilis, Origanum vulgare, Vaccinium myrtillus) using HPLC-PDA.
- In vitro antimicrobial assays against Paenibacillus larvae, Paenibacillus alvei, Brevibacillus laterosporus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Ascosphaera apis.
- In vivo efficacy testing against Nosema ceranae.
Main Results:
- A specific formulation containing blueberry (20%), absinthium (40%), oakmoss (10%), oregano (10%), Brewers Gold hops (10%), bay laurel (5%), and anise hyssop (5%) exhibited the most potent antibacterial and antifungal activity.
- The tested plant extract mix demonstrated significant efficacy against a range of bacterial and fungal bee pathogens.
- The formulation showed effectiveness in vivo against Nosema ceranae.
Conclusions:
- Combining multiple highly active plant extracts offers a promising natural alternative for treating bee diseases.
- This approach could reduce reliance on synthetic antibiotics, contributing to more sustainable apiculture practices.
- Further research and development of these natural recipes could lead to effective treatments for economically important bee pathogens.
