Research Article Open Access

Non-Target Inhibition of Antioxidant Enzymes in Honey Bees (A. mellifera and A. florea) Upon Pesticide Exposure

Amal Ahmed Berjawi1, Syed Salman Ashraf2 and Mohammad Ali Al-Deeb1
  • 1 Department of Biology, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
  • 2 Department of Chemistry, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Abstract

Understanding how different insecticides influence bee health is very essential. The aim of this work was to evaluate enzyme kinetics and inhibition by insecticides in Apis mellifera and Apis florea. Tested enzymes showed variable affinity to substrates. In A. florea, glutathione S-transferase (GST) showed significantly higher affinity for its 1-Chloro-2,4-Dinitrobenzene (CDNB) substrate than in A. mellifera. Carbosulfan caused the highest inhibition to acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in both tested species in comparison with chlorpyrifos, dimethoate and pirimiphos-methyl. Our results show that exposure to insecticides is harmful to honey bees and results in negative effects on enzyme activity.

OnLine Journal of Biological Sciences
Volume 20 No. 2, 2020, 57-65

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ojbsci.2020.57.65

Submitted On: 20 February 2020 Published On: 10 April 2020

How to Cite: Berjawi, A. A., Ashraf, S. S. & Al-Deeb, M. A. (2020). Non-Target Inhibition of Antioxidant Enzymes in Honey Bees (A. mellifera and A. florea) Upon Pesticide Exposure. OnLine Journal of Biological Sciences, 20(2), 57-65. https://doi.org/10.3844/ojbsci.2020.57.65

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Keywords

  • Insecticide
  • Apis mellifera
  • Apis florea
  • Detoxifying Enzymes
  • Enzyme Kinetics