Treating honey bees with an extremely low frequency electromagnetic field and pesticides: Impact on the rate of disappearance of azoxystrobin and λ-cyhalothrin and the structure of some functional groups of the probabilistic molecules.

Environmental research · 2020 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 5631

Study snapshot

PublicationEnvironmental research · 2020

Study typeanimal

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The purpose of these laboratory tests was to assess the impact of 50 Hz EMF (electromagnetic field) on the disappearance of azoxystrobin (active ingredient (AI) of Amistar 250 SC) and λ-cyhalothrin (AI of Karate Zeon 050 CS) in the body of honey bees (Apis mellifera) and the structure of some functional groups of the probabilistic molecules in their organisms. Amistar 250 SC (an azoxystrobin-based fungicide; ABF) and Karate Zeon 050 CS (a λ-cyhalothrin-based insecticide; CBI) are plant protection products (PPPs) applied to bee-pollinated-crops. Chromatographic methods were used to assess the rate of AI disappearance. EMF affected the rate of disappearance of azoxystrobin and λ-cyhalothrin in bees within 6 h of intoxication. When these substances were used separately their disappearance in the presence of EMF slowed from 12.6% to 10.5% h and from 9.2% to 4.8% h, respectively, and accelerated when used in a mixture, from 14.1% to 14.7% h and from 9.3% to 11.5% h respectively. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to analyze changes in the functional groups of the probabilistic molecules of the tested bees. To obtain the information about the spectra variations we used the Principal Component Analysis. It has been shown, that EMF statistically significantly interferes with amide I and II, symmetric PO group from DNA, RNA and phospholipids vibrations. It also increased the number of changes of functional groups of the probabilistic molecules caused by ABF, but at the same time limited the changes in the functional groups studied in bees treated with CBI and a mixture containing both of them. In addition, exposure to EMF in bees treated with fungicide or insecticide, separately, and with both preparations caused differences (p < 0.05) in the secondary structure of proteins compared to controls. The obtained results indicate that EMF may affect the rate of metabolism and the detoxification process of pesticides in bees, depending on the AI of PPPs, applied individually or together. However, further detailed research is required to explain the mechanism of EMF as a detoxification modulator.

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeanimal

Effect directionmixed

PopulationHoney bees (Apis mellifera)

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 5e-05 MHz · within 6 h of intoxication

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In laboratory tests, 50 Hz EMF altered the disappearance rates of azoxystrobin and λ-cyhalothrin in honey bees within 6 hours. With single pesticides, disappearance slowed in the presence of EMF (azoxystrobin 12.6% to 10.5% per hour; λ-cyhalothrin 9.2% to 4.8% per hour), while with a mixture disappearance accelerated (azoxystrobin 14.1% to 14.7% per hour; λ-cyhalothrin 9.3% to 11.5% per hour). EMF statistically significantly interfered with specific FTIR spectral features (amide I/II and symmetric PO group vibrations) and was associated with differences in protein secondary structure compared to controls (p<0.05).

Outcomes measured

Rate of disappearance (metabolism/detoxification) of azoxystrobin in bees
Rate of disappearance (metabolism/detoxification) of λ-cyhalothrin in bees
FTIR-detected changes in functional groups of biomolecules (amide I/II; symmetric PO group from DNA/RNA/phospholipids vibrations)
Secondary structure of proteins (differences vs controls; p<0.05)

Limitations

Laboratory study in honey bees; generalizability to field conditions not stated
Sample size not reported in abstract
Exposure intensity/field strength not reported in abstract
Mechanism not established; authors note further research is required

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": null,
    "frequency_mhz": 5e-05,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "within 6 h of intoxication"
  },
  "population": "Honey bees (Apis mellifera)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Rate of disappearance (metabolism/detoxification) of azoxystrobin in bees",
    "Rate of disappearance (metabolism/detoxification) of λ-cyhalothrin in bees",
    "FTIR-detected changes in functional groups of biomolecules (amide I/II; symmetric PO group from DNA/RNA/phospholipids vibrations)",
    "Secondary structure of proteins (differences vs controls; p<0.05)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In laboratory tests, 50 Hz EMF altered the disappearance rates of azoxystrobin and λ-cyhalothrin in honey bees within 6 hours. With single pesticides, disappearance slowed in the presence of EMF (azoxystrobin 12.6% to 10.5% per hour; λ-cyhalothrin 9.2% to 4.8% per hour), while with a mixture disappearance accelerated (azoxystrobin 14.1% to 14.7% per hour; λ-cyhalothrin 9.3% to 11.5% per hour). EMF statistically significantly interfered with specific FTIR spectral features (amide I/II and symmetric PO group vibrations) and was associated with differences in protein secondary structure compared to controls (p<0.05).",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Laboratory study in honey bees; generalizability to field conditions not stated",
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Exposure intensity/field strength not reported in abstract",
    "Mechanism not established; authors note further research is required"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "50 Hz",
    "extremely low frequency",
    "ELF EMF",
    "honey bees",
    "Apis mellifera",
    "azoxystrobin",
    "lambda-cyhalothrin",
    "pesticides",
    "detoxification",
    "metabolism",
    "FTIR",
    "protein secondary structure"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "occupational-exposure",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "ELF EMF exposure studied (50 Hz), though source context is not specified in abstract."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109989
PubMed: 32758720

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