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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Tucson, Arizona » Carl Hayden Bee Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #223733
Title: Suppression of Growth Rate of Colony-Associated Fungi by High Fructose Corn Syrup Feeding Supplement, Formic Acid, and Oxalic Acid

Author
item YODER, JAY - WITTENBERG UNIVERSITY
item CHRISTENSEN, BRADY - WITTENBERG UNIVERSITY
item CROXALL, TRAVIS - WITTENBERG UNIVERSITY
item TANK, JUSTIN - WITTENBERG UNIVERSITY
item Sammataro, Diana

Submitted to: Journal of Apicultural Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/24/2008
Publication Date: 4/20/2008
Citation: Yoder, J. A., Christensen, B. S., Croxall, T. J., Tank, J. L., Sammataro, D. 2008. Suppression of growth rate of colony-associated fungi by high fructose corn syrup feeding supplement, formic acid, and oxalic acid. Journal of Apicultural Research and Bee World 47(2):127-131.

Interpretive Summary: Select colony-associated fungi (bee isolates), Absidia sp., Ascosphaera apis, Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium sp., Penicillium glabrum, Mucor sp., showed a 40% reduction in radial growth rate with formic acid, a 28% reduction with oxalic acid, and a 15% reduction with fructose and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) when grown on supplemental media at 30 degrees C (to mimic colony conditions). No effect, suppressing or promoting growth, was observed on other colony-associated fungi, Alternaria sp., Asperigillus niger, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Phizopus sp. and Trichoderma sp., except 0.1M formic and oxalic acid. Sensitivity to these compounds did not correlate with the fungus species being a slow- or fast-grower or in association with other compounds; sensitivity to one compound did not translate into sensitivity to another compound. Given the competitive nature and high-sporing (conidia) acitvity of these species, our results suggest that alteration or disruption of the colony mycoflora can occur by use of these compounds. This may indicate a possible link between compound application and incidence of bee fungal pathogens.

Technical Abstract: Select colony-associated fungi (bee isolates). Absidia sp., Ascosphaera apis, Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium sp., Penicillium glabrum, Mucor sp., showed a 40% reduction in radial growth rate with formic acid, a 28% reduction with oxalic acid, and a 15% reduction with fructose and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) when grown on supplemental media at 30 degrees C (to mimic colony conditions). No effect, suppressing or promoting growth, was observed on other colony-associated fungi, Alternaria sp., Aspergillus niger, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Phizopus sp. and Trichoderma sp., except 0.1M formic and oxalic acid. Sensitivity to these compounds did not correlate with the fungus species being a slow-or fast-grower or in association with other compounds; sensitivity to one compound did not translate into sensitivity to another compound. Given the competitive nature and high-sporing (conidia) activity of these species, our results suggest that alteration or disruption of the colony mycoflora can occur by use of thee compounds. This may indicate a possible link between compound application and incidence of bee fungal pathogens.