Study type: Medical/biological study (experimental study)

Effect of the electric field at 50 Hz and variable intensities on biochemical markers in the honey bee's hemolymph med./bio.

By: Migdał P, Murawska A, Bieńkowski P, Strachecka A, Roman A
Published in: PLoS One 2021; 16 (6): e0252858
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Aim of study (acc. to author)

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of exposure of honey bees to a 50 Hz electric field on different enzyme activities and the concentration of albumin and creatinine in the hemolymph.

Background/further details

Two-days-old honey bee workers were divided into the following groups: exposure to an electric field of 1) 5.0 kV/m for 1 hour, 2) 5.0 kV/m for 3 hours, 3) 5.0 kV/m for 6 hours, 4) 11.5 kV/m for 1 hour, 5) 11.5 kV/m for 3 hours, 6) 11.5 kV/m for 6 hours, 7) 23.0 kV/m for 1 hour, 8) 23.0 kV/m for 3 hours, 9) 23.0 kV/m for 6 hours, 10) 34.5 kV/m for 1 hour, 11) 34.5 kV/m for 3 hours, and 12) 34.5 kV/m for 6 hours. For each exposure duration (1 hour, 3 hours, 6 hours), a separate control group was used. Each group consisted of 10 cages with 100 bees, respectively.

Endpoint

Exposure

Exposure Parameters
Exposure 1: 50 Hz
Exposure duration: 1, 3, 6, or 12 hours

Exposure 1

Main characteristics
Frequency 50 Hz
Type
Exposure duration 1, 3, 6, or 12 hours
Exposure setup
Exposure source
  • plate capacitor
Chamber wooden cages (20 × 15 × 7 cm)
Setup a homogeneous (± 5%) electric field was generated by a plate capacitor
Additional info the control groups were exposed to an electric field of < 1.0 kV/m
Parameters
Measurand Value Type Method Mass Remarks
electric field strength 5 kV/m - measured - -
electric field strength 11.5 kV/m - measured - -
electric field strength 23 kV/m - measured - -
electric field strength 34.5 kV/m - measured - -

Reference articles

  • Migdał P et al. (2020): Changes of selected biochemical parameters of the honeybee under the influence of an electric field at 50 Hz and variable intensities

Exposed system:

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

Investigated system:
Time of investigation:
  • after exposure

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The activity of the three investigated enzymes in honey bees' hemolymph decreased after exposure to 50 Hz electric field with different intensities. The decrease in enzyme activity intensified with prolonged exposure time. The authors conclude that a 50 Hz electric field may cause the impairment of crucial metabolic cycles in the honey bees organism. Moreover, exposure to the electric field altered the concentration of creatinine and albumin, which are important non-enzymatic antioxidants. Such changes may indicate a disturbance in protein metabolism and increased muscle activity.

Study character:

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