Comparison of different pollen substitutes for the feeding of laboratory reared bumble bee (bombus terrestris) colonies

In bumble bee colonies, pollen is the only protein source for larval feeding and its shortage causes a distress in larval development. Adult bumble bees need pollen for the development of glands and the reproductive system. In bumble bee rearing, honey bee collected pollen is used as the main protein source, either as fresh-frozen or dried pellets, and pollen provisioning is the most problematic and expensive aspect of mass rearing. In honey bee breeding, pollen substitutes are used during the period of food shortage or to stimulate colony strength. We tested different protein diets (five commercial pollen substitutes and two natural protein sources) for the maintenance of bumble bee colonies in captivity. We further mixed Feedbee®, one of the substitutes that gave the best results, with different amounts of pollen to evaluate the optimal amount needed for the whole colony development. Although none of the pure protein diets alone were adequate, diets with a 1 to 1 and 1 to 3 ratio of Feedbee to pollen were both suitable for colony development and queen production. The colony consumed between 2 and 4 g per day of the Feedbee mixed diets, corresponding to a protein consumption of 0.75-0.85 g day-1. Nevertheless, the consumption rate of the pure pollen showed that a mean amount of protein between 0.4 and 0.5 g day-1 was enough to allow colony development indicating the suitability of Feedbee mixed diets.Fil: Bortolotti, Laura. Centro di Ricerca Agricoltura e Ambiente; ArgentinaFil: Pošćić, Filip. Institute For Adriatic Crops And Karst Reclamation; CroaciaFil: Bogo, Gherardo. Centro di Ricerca Agricoltura e Ambiente; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentin

Linking phytotechnologies to bioeconomy; varietal screening of high biomass and energy crops for phytoremediation of Cr and Cu contaminated soils

Enerbiochem was a project devoted to study new strategies of industrial valorisation of high biomass crops grown on brownfields or contaminated soils not suitable for food production. Chromium and copper accumulation and toxicity were examined in different species of agronomic interest. Cultivars of Brassica carinata A. Braun (7), Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. (4), Brassica napus L. (4), Raphanus sativus L. (4), inbred lines of Helianthus annuus L. (6) and cultivars of Nicotiana tabacum L. (3) were screened for the best genetic materials to be used with the aims: i) to produce the highest biomass in contaminated soils; and ii) possibly to phytoremediate them. Cr and Cu accumulation in shoots were evaluated on 16 days old plants grown for additional 5 days in the presence of either Cr (60 μM) or Cu (2 μM) in hydroponic. They were characterised for Cr and Cu concentrations in roots and shoots, shoot biomass, and total chlorophyll as well. Shoot biomass was significantly lower in Brassica species than in R. sativus, H. annuus and N. tabacum under Cr treatments. On the contrary, under Cu treatments, N. tabacum produced the lowest biomass in respect to other species. Potentially toxic element concentrations varied among genetic material and some genetic material resulted less affected (higher chlorophyll content and shoot biomass) even under higher Cu or Cr concentrations in shoot. Potential candidates within each species, to be used for coupling phytoremediation and biomass production on slightly Cr-Cu potentially contaminated soils are listed

Determination of 87Sr/86Sr isotopic ratio in olive oil and pomace using multicollector-ICPMS; analysis of pomace residues as a simpler approach for determination of 87Sr/86Sr ratio in olive oil with low Sr content

This study presents an analytical procedure for measuring the 87Sr/86Sr isotopic ratio in olive oil and pomace using multicollector-inductively coupled mass spectrometry (MC-ICPMS). The developed method combines liquid-liquid extraction with an acid solution and degradation of organic residues in the extract by dry ashing and oxidation by H2O2 and HNO3. The method enabled 87Sr/86Sr ratios to be obtained in olive oil with Sr content as low as 0.2 ng/g, with a precision of 54 ppm. The method’s validity was confirmed by an interlaboratory comparison using NIST SRM 2387, providing the first data on its elemental Sr (2380 ± 230 ng/g ; n = 10), and 87Sr/86Sr isotopic composition (0.70908 ± 0.00004 ; n = 14). The procedure was applied to olive oil and pomace samples, showing that they have an identical 87Sr/86Sr ratio, which was consistent with that determined in soils from the same orchards. The results thus revealed that Sr isotopic ratios of olive oil and pomace can both be used in geographical traceability studies of olive oil, which means that, instead of processing large volume of oil, characteristic 87Sr/86Sr signatures of olive oil can be more easily obtained by analyzing small quantities of pomace obtained by centrifuging the oil

Comparison of Different Pollen Substitutes for the Feeding of Laboratory Reared Bumble Bee (Bombus Terrestris) Colonies

In bumble bee colonies, pollen is the only protein source for larval feeding and its shortage causes a distress in larval development. Adult bumble bees need pollen for the development of glands and the reproductive system. In bumble bee rearing, honey bee collected pollen is used as the main protein source, either as fresh-frozen or dried pellets, and pollen provisioning is the most problematic and expensive aspect of mass rearing. In honey bee breeding, pollen substitutes are used during the period of food shortage or to stimulate colony strength. We tested different protein diets (five commercial pollen substitutes and two natural protein sources) for the maintenance of bumble bee colonies in captivity. We further mixed Feedbee®, one of the substitutes that gave the best results, with different amounts of pollen to evaluate the optimal amount needed for the whole colony development. Although none of the pure protein diets alone were adequate, diets with a 1 to 1 and 1 to 3 ratio of Feedbee to pollen were both suitable for colony development and queen production. The colony consumed between 2 and 4 g per day of the Feedbee mixed diets, corresponding to a protein consumption of 0.75–0.85 g day−1. Nevertheless, the consumption rate of the pure pollen showed that a mean amount of protein between 0.4 and 0.5 g day−1 was enough to allow colony development indicating the suitability of Feedbee mixed diets

Effects of Cerium and Titanium Oxide Nanoparticles in Soil on the Nutrient Composition of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Kernels

The implications of metal nanoparticles (MeNPs) are still unknown for many food crops. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of cerium oxide (nCeO2) and titanium oxide (nTiO2) nanoparticles in soil at 0, 500 and 1000 mg·kg−1 on the nutritional parameters of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) kernels. Mineral nutrients, amylose, β-glucans, amino acid and crude protein (CP) concentrations were measured in kernels. Whole flour samples were analyzed by ICP-AES/MS, HPLC and Elemental CHNS Analyzer. Results showed that Ce and Ti accumulation under MeNPs treatments did not differ from the control treatment. However, nCeO2 and nTiO2 had an impact on composition and nutritional quality of barley kernels in contrasting ways. Both MeNPs left β-glucans unaffected but reduced amylose content by approximately 21%. Most amino acids and CP increased. Among amino acids, lysine followed by proline saw the largest increase (51% and 37%, respectively). Potassium and S were both negatively impacted by MeNPs, while B was only affected by 500 mg nCeO2·kg−1. On the contrary Zn and Mn concentrations were improved by 500 mg nTiO2·kg−1, and Ca by both nTiO2 treatments. Generally, our findings demonstrated that kernels are negatively affected by nCeO2 while nTiO2 can potentially have beneficial effects. However, both MeNPs have the potential to negatively impact malt and feed production

Dianthus sylvestris subsp. sylvestris as a promising candidate for phytostabilization of copper-contaminated post-mining sites in Alpine ecosystems

<p>The lack of remediation of inactive mine sites is a serious global concern, as they pose risks to the environment, human health, and safety. The potential of <em>Dianthus sylvestris</em> subsp. <em>sylvestris</em> to remediate post-mining sites contaminated with copper (Cu) at high altitudes, which is a challenging task for most management strategies, was explored in this study. More than 1300 mg Cu kg<sup>-1</sup> in shoots were found in plants collected at the Monte Avanza legacy mine site (Alps). However, it is unclear whether this is due to hyperaccumulation or foliar contamination. To address this gap, field samples were washed with two different protocols, and a controlled Cu-tolerance test was conducted. While very high Cu concentrations, exceeding the Cu hyperaccumulation threshold of 300 mg kg<sup>-1</sup>, were found in samples washed with water, results for the plants cleaned with a more rigorous approach with EDTA suggested Cu exclusion strategy. Under controlled conditions, the plant showed Cu hypertolerance but did not hyperaccumulate Cu. Thus <em>D. sylvestris</em> presents a Cu exclusion strategy rather than hyperaccumulation potential, making it a suitable candidate for Cu phytostabilization at high-altitude legacy mine sites. The study emphasizes the need for experiments under controlled conditions when assessing the phytoremediation potential.</p><p>Microsoft Excel or any other spreadsheet editor (for example the free open-source Apache OpenOffice Calc).</p><p>Funding provided by: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences<br>Crossref Funder Registry ID: https://ror.org/00j4k1h63<br>Award Number: P42ES04940</p><ol> <li>Plant specimens of <em>Dianthus sylvestris</em> subsp. <em>sylvestris</em> (roots, shoots, flowers, and seeds) and respective soil samples collected on the site (Monte Avanza, IT).</li> <li> <em>D. sylvestris</em> subsp. <em>sylvestris </em>grown in hydroponics under controlled conditions.</li> <li>Data were obtained from the samples using ICP-OES and a ruler. </li> </ol&gt

Copper accumulation in five weed species commonly found in the understory vegetation of Mediterranean vineyards

Copper (Cu) concentration in agricultural soils often exceeds toxicological limits due to application of Cu-based fungicides. The potential of weeds for their use as functional cover plants in vineyard management and phytoremediation practices is little explored. We identified five weed species widely present in vineyards and assessed their Cu accumulation from eleven Mediterranean vineyards (soil Cu: 60-327 mu g g(-1)) and two adjacent control sites (soil Cu: 15-30 mu g g(-1)). Soils and plants were characterized by their physico-chemical properties and nutrient content. We applied multivariate techniques to analyze relationships between soil properties and leaf nutrient composition. Copper tolerance and accumulation traits were further tested in hydroponics using a series of CuSO4 concentrations (0.1-16 mu M).Under field conditions, the highest Cu concentration in both roots and leaves were found in Lolium perenne (221 and 461 mu g g(-1), respectively), followed by Plantago lanceolata, Rumex obtusifolius and Taraxacum officinale (>100 mu g g(-1) Cu in leaves). Only one species, Trifolium repens, did not accumulate remarkable Cu concentrations. Overall, and as revealed by the multivariate analyses, leaf Cu concentration was driven by soil Cu content, soil texture, organic matter, nitrogen, and Cu uptake into roots. However, functional regression analysis and controlled experiments suggested that Cu might be additionally absorbed from the deposits on the leaf surface related to the Cu-fungicide treatments and soil dust. Our study highlights the importance of intra-specific variability in Cu accumulation among weed species in Cu-contaminated agricultural soils. Further validation of these findings under controlled conditions could provide essential insights for optimizing management and remediation strategies

Comprehensive insights in thallium ecophysiology in the hyperaccumulator Biscutella laevigata

Biscutella laevigata is the strongest known thallium (Tl) hyperaccumulator plant species. However, little is known about the ecophysiological processes leading to root uptake and translocation of Tl in this species, and the interactions between Tl and its chemical analogue potassium (K). Biscutella laevigata was subjected to hydroponics experimentation in which it was exposed to Tl and K, and it was investigated in a rhizobox experiment. Laboratory-based micro-X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (μ-XRF) was used to reveal the Tl distribution in the roots and leaves, while synchrotron-based μ-XRF was utilised to reveal elemental distribution in the seed. The results show that in the seed Tl was mainly localised in the endosperm and cotyledons. In mature plants, Tl was highest in the intermediate leaves (16,100 μg g$^{−1}$), while it was one order of magnitude lower in the stem and roots. Potassium did not inhibit or enhance Tl uptake in B. laevigata. At the organ level, Tl was localised in the blade and margins of the leaves. Roots foraged for Tl and cycled Tl across roots growing in the control soils. Biscutella laevigata has ostensibly evolved specialised mechanisms to tolerate high Tl concentrations in its shoots. The lack of interactions and competition between Tl and K suggests that it is unlikely that Tl is taken up via K channels, but high affinity Tl transporters remain to be identified in this species. Thallium is not only highly toxic but also a valuable metal and Tl phytoextraction using B. laevigata should be explored