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<p>Colony losses in <i>Apis mellifera</i> are caused by multiple stressors, among which the parasitic microsporidian <i>Nosema</i> (= <i>Vairimorpha</i>) <i>ceranae</i>. As an alternative to the controversial fumagillin, sustainable control strategies based on natural bioactive compounds are increasingly being explored. This study evaluated the efficacy of glucosinolate (GSL)-based formulations derived from flowers of <i>Eruca sativa</i> and <i>Reseda lutea</i> in controlling <i>N. ceranae</i> infection in worker honey bees under laboratory conditions. Freeze-dried flowers were characterized for their GSL profile and myrosinase activity, and formulation studies were conducted to choose the best material for bioassays. Then, water-soluble GSL-enriched extracts were produced. Cage feeding assays were performed on uninfected newly emerged bees using sugar syrup supplemented with 2 and 4 µmol g⁻¹ of total GSL of either formulation. Extract administration reduced food consumption and bee survival in a concentration-dependent manner compared to the control group. The lower concentration was further tested on 6-day-old bees artificially infected with <i>N. ceranae</i> spores, showing consumption comparable to control, but still a slight decrease in survival. At this concentration, both <i>E. sativa</i>- and <i>R. lutea</i>-based extracts significantly inhibited <i>N. ceranae</i> abundance, by 23.8 and 44.6%, respectively, with no significant difference between plant species. Isothiocyanates—the GSL hydrolysis products—were detected in bee intestines, accumulating primarily in the hindgut and at higher levels in bees fed with <i>R. lutea</i> extracts. These findings highlight the potential of floral GSL-rich formulations as natural, environmentally sustainable tools to support colony health and reduce pathogen load.</p>

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Glucosinolate-Rich Floral Extracts Hinder Nosema (= Vairimorpha) ceranae Infection in Caged Apis mellifera Workers

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月9日

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  • Matteo Carloni,
  • Eleonora Pagnotta,
  • Laura Righetti,
  • Lorena Malaguti,
  • Vittorio Capano,
  • Antonio Nanetti,
  • Nicola Pecchioni,
  • Manuela Bagatta,
  • Luisa Ugolini

摘要

Colony losses in Apis mellifera are caused by multiple stressors, among which the parasitic microsporidian Nosema (= Vairimorpha) ceranae. As an alternative to the controversial fumagillin, sustainable control strategies based on natural bioactive compounds are increasingly being explored. This study evaluated the efficacy of glucosinolate (GSL)-based formulations derived from flowers of Eruca sativa and Reseda lutea in controlling N. ceranae infection in worker honey bees under laboratory conditions. Freeze-dried flowers were characterized for their GSL profile and myrosinase activity, and formulation studies were conducted to choose the best material for bioassays. Then, water-soluble GSL-enriched extracts were produced. Cage feeding assays were performed on uninfected newly emerged bees using sugar syrup supplemented with 2 and 4 µmol g⁻¹ of total GSL of either formulation. Extract administration reduced food consumption and bee survival in a concentration-dependent manner compared to the control group. The lower concentration was further tested on 6-day-old bees artificially infected with N. ceranae spores, showing consumption comparable to control, but still a slight decrease in survival. At this concentration, both E. sativa- and R. lutea-based extracts significantly inhibited N. ceranae abundance, by 23.8 and 44.6%, respectively, with no significant difference between plant species. Isothiocyanates—the GSL hydrolysis products—were detected in bee intestines, accumulating primarily in the hindgut and at higher levels in bees fed with R. lutea extracts. These findings highlight the potential of floral GSL-rich formulations as natural, environmentally sustainable tools to support colony health and reduce pathogen load.