Neurotoxic impacts of neonicotinoid pesticide residues in Chinese honey on Apis mellifera L.

IF 3.5 2区农林科学 Q1 AGRICULTURE, MULTIDISCIPLINARY

Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture Pub Date : 2025-08-29 DOI:10.1002/jsfa.70154

Haoming Guo, Nan Xiao, Yabo Liang, Xueke Liu, Peng Wang, Donghui Liu

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: The threat to bees of neonicotinoid pesticides (NEOs) has raised concern. However, data on the disruption of the bee nervous system following long-term low-dose exposure are lacking. In this study, six NEOs were quantified in 31 honey samples from China, and their behavioral effects on bees were evaluated.

Results: Neonicotinoid pesticide detection rates ranged from 35.48% to 83.87%, with mean residue concentrations of 2.39-6.73 μg kg⁻¹. Clothianidin showed the highest detection frequency (83.87%), with an average residue of 5.54 μg kg^-1. To assess neurotoxic effects at actual residue levels, bees were fed NEO-contaminated syrup for 21 days. This exposure significantly downregulated eight neurotransmitters, particularly 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and tryptophan (Trp), impairing normal physiological function. Behavioral assays showed reductions of 31.71% to 68.53% in displacement distance, 27.13% to 40.06% in movement rate, and 64.58% to 77.14% in inter-individual contact time.

Conclusion: This study confirmed that the NEO residues in honey could hinder bees' ability to communicate and forage, with potential adverse effects on the development of bee populations. It demonstrated that bees exposed to real-world residue levels of NEOs exhibit neurological impairments. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

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中国蜂蜜中新烟碱类农药残留对蜜蜂神经毒性的影响。

背景：新烟碱类杀虫剂（NEOs）对蜜蜂的威胁引起了人们的关注。然而，缺乏长期低剂量暴露对蜜蜂神经系统破坏的数据。本研究对中国31份蜂蜜样品中的6种neo进行了定量分析，并对其对蜜蜂的行为影响进行了评价。结果：新烟碱类农药检出率为35.48% ~ 83.87%，平均残留浓度为2.39 ~ 6.73 μ kg⁻¹。其中噻虫胺的检出率最高（83.87%），平均残留为5.54 μg kg-1。为了评估实际残留水平下的神经毒性作用，蜜蜂被喂食neo污染的糖浆21天。这种暴露显著下调了8种神经递质，特别是5-羟色胺（5-HT）和色氨酸（Trp），损害了正常的生理功能。行为学分析表明，个体间接触时间减少了64.58%至77.14%，移动距离减少了31.71%至68.53%，移动速度减少了27.13%至40.06%。结论：本研究证实蜂蜜中的NEO残留会阻碍蜜蜂的沟通和觅食能力，对蜂群的发育有潜在的不利影响。研究表明，暴露于现实世界neo残留水平的蜜蜂表现出神经损伤。©2025化学工业协会。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 工程技术-农业综合

CiteScore

8.10

自引率

4.90%

发文量

634

审稿时长

3.1 months

期刊介绍： The Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture publishes peer-reviewed original research, reviews, mini-reviews, perspectives and spotlights in these areas, with particular emphasis on interdisciplinary studies at the agriculture/ food interface. Published for SCI by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. SCI (Society of Chemical Industry) is a unique international forum where science meets business on independent, impartial ground. Anyone can join and current Members include consumers, business people, environmentalists, industrialists, farmers, and researchers. The Society offers a chance to share information between sectors as diverse as food and agriculture, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, materials, chemicals, environmental science and safety. As well as organising educational events, SCI awards a number of prestigious honours and scholarships each year, publishes peer-reviewed journals, and provides Members with news from their sectors in the respected magazine, Chemistry & Industry . Originally established in London in 1881 and in New York in 1894, SCI is a registered charity with Members in over 70 countries.