Bee pseudocholinesterase as an indicator of exposure to anticholinesterase insecticides

The inhibition of pseudocholinesterase (butyrylcholinesterase) activity is a valid and sensitive biochemical indicator of exposure to anticholinesterase insecticides and is often mandatory of the agricultural use of these pesticides. In the present work we developed a modification of an easy and sensitive technique to detect the pseudocholinesterase inhibition due to pesticide exposure. Small amounts of head tissue are needed and low concentrations of the enzyme can be detected. The determination of pseudocholinesterase inhibition is a useful biomonitor of anticholinesterase pesticide exposure for bees in the same way that it is useful for the determination of exposure in humans.