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Galenics: studies of the toxicity and distribution of sugar substitutes on Apis mellifera

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to find a substitute to sugar water in medicinal treatments of honey bee colonies with the same properties but without being ingested by bees or being toxic to them. Tylose MH, sorbitol and glycerol were tested for their attractiveness to Apis mellifera, their application ability, toxicity via individual application and distribution in small groups respectively a small colony. Neither of the substances proved attractive or toxic. All had good application ability except sorbitol. Glycerol showed the best distribution compared to tylose and sugar water (chi-square test, f = 1, P ≤ 0.01). So the distribution of glycerol within a colony was shown by macro-computed tomography: it was quick and even (comparing density values before and after treatment, Mann–Whitney rank sum test, P ≤ 0.001). Glycerol can be recommended as a substitute for sugar water in medicinal treatments. Yet, its use with active ingredients should be investigated for combinatory effects.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Prof. Dr. Melzig and Dr. Mehnert from the Department of Pharmacy (Freie Universität Berlin) for their valuable support and for providing us with the substances.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Pharmacy, Chemistry, Institute of Biology/Neurobiology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 28-30, 14195, Berlin, Germany

    Eva Rademacher, Marlene Raddatz, Saskia Schneider & Kathrin Voigt

  2. Tierärztliche Klinik für Pferde Seeburg, Engelsfelde 1 A, 14624, Dallgow-Döberitz/OT Seeburg, Germany

    Anja Fahlberg

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  1. Eva Rademacher
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  2. Anja Fahlberg
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  3. Marlene Raddatz
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  4. Saskia Schneider
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  5. Kathrin Voigt
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Correspondence to Eva Rademacher.

Additional information

Manuscript editor: Stan Schneider

Galénique : études de la toxicité et de la distribution de substituts du sucre sur Apis mellifera

galénique / substance de substitution / abeille / effet toxique / mode de distribution / traitement sanitaire

Galenik: Untersuchungen zur Toxizität und Verteilung von Zuckerersatzstoffen auf Apis mellifera

Galenik / Zuckerersatzstoffe / Apis mellifera / Verteilung / Toxizität

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Rademacher, E., Fahlberg, A., Raddatz, M. et al. Galenics: studies of the toxicity and distribution of sugar substitutes on Apis mellifera . Apidologie 44, 222–233 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-012-0174-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-012-0174-5

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