Are Honey Bees at Risk from Microplastics?

Naggar, Yahya Al; Brinkmann, Markus; Sayes, Christie M.; Al-Kahtani, Saad; Dar, Showket A; El-Seedi, Hesham R.; Grünewald, Bernd; Giesy, John P.

doi:10.3390/toxics9050109

Cited by 43 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 70 publications

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“…MP exposure can have toxicological effects on aquatic biota, such as decreased fitness, increased oxidative stress, immunological reactions, and impaired intestinal function 12 , 13 as well as mammal lung inflammation 14 , 15 . Additionally, there is evidence that MPs interact with terrestrial organisms, including invertebrates, terrestrial fungi, and animal pollinators, that mediate crucial ecosystem services and functions 16 – 24 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposure to polystyrene microplastic beads causes sex-specific toxic effects in the model insect Drosophila melanogaster

Kholy

Naggar

2023

Sci Rep

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The toxicity of MPs on aquatic creatures has been extensively studied, but little attention was paid to terrestrial organisms. To fill this gab, we conducted a series of experiments using Drosophila as a model organism to understand whether exposure to different concentrations (0.005, 0.05, 0.5 µg/ml) of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) beads (2 µm in size) can impact flies feeding activity, digestion and excretion. The ability of flies to distinguish between normal and PS-MPs treated food media was tested first, and then we evaluated the effects of a 7-day short-term exposure to PS-MPs on food intake, mortality, starvation resistance, fecal pellet count, and the cellular structure of mid gut cells. The results revealed that flies can really differentiate and ignore MPs-treated food. We discovered sex-specific effects, with male flies being more sensitive to PS-MPs, with all males dying after 14 days when exposed to 0.5 µg/ml of PS-MPs, whereas female flies survived more. All male flies exposed to PS-MPs died after 24 h of starvation. Midgut cells showed concentration-dependent necrosis and apoptosis in response to PS-MPs. Our findings provide new insights into MPs toxicity on terrestrial organisms and giving a warning that management measures against MPs emission must be taken.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposure to polystyrene microplastic beads causes sex-specific toxic effects in the model insect Drosophila melanogaster

Kholy

Naggar

2023

Sci Rep

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“…Currently, as with the other monitoring tasks, this is done via manual microscopy, but pollen classification could be demonstrated with MIFC as well [9]. Additionally, non-biological contamination of honey by fibers and microplastic [46], as well as biological contamination via spores of bee disease causing agents [47] or by spores of microbial plant protection products (some examples listed here: [48] and their potential effects on bees and humans, can be investigated and quantified using MIFC.…”

Section: Food Quality Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

The potential of multispectral imaging flow cytometry for environmental monitoring

et al. 2022

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Environmental monitoring involves the quantification of microscopic cells and particles such as algae, plant cells, pollen, or fungal spores. Traditional methods using conventional microscopy require expert knowledge, are time‐intensive and not well‐suited for automated high throughput. Multispectral imaging flow cytometry (MIFC) allows measurement of up to 5000 particles per second from a fluid suspension and can simultaneously capture up to 12 images of every single particle for brightfield and different spectral ranges, with up to 60x magnification. The high throughput of MIFC has high potential for increasing the amount and accuracy of environmental monitoring, such as for plant‐pollinator interactions, fossil samples, air, water or food quality that currently rely on manual microscopic methods. Automated recognition of particles and cells is also possible, when MIFC is combined with deep‐learning computational techniques. Furthermore, various fluorescence dyes can be used to stain specific parts of the cell to highlight physiological and chemical features including: vitality of pollen or algae, allergen content of individual pollen, surface chemical composition (carbohydrate coating) of cells, DNA‐ or enzyme‐activity staining. Here, we outline the great potential for MIFC in environmental research for a variety of research fields and focal organisms. In addition, we provide best practice recommendations.

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“…Microplastics have been found in fish [ 21 ], shellfish [ 22 , 23 , 24 ], poultry meat [ 25 ], eggs [ 26 ], salt [ 27 , 28 , 29 ], sugar [ 30 ], fruits [ 31 ], vegetables [ 32 ], water [ 33 ], milk [ 34 , 35 ], honey [ 35 , 36 , 37 ], beer [ 35 ], wine [ 38 ], tea [ 39 , 40 , 41 ], energy drinks, soft drinks [ 41 ], and infant formula [ 42 ] ( Figure 2 ). Consumption of MPs negatively affects the digestive, respiratory, and circulatory systems [ 43 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastics Derived from Food Packaging Waste—Their Origin and Health Risks

et al. 2023

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Plastics are commonly used for packaging in the food industry. The most popular thermoplastic materials that have found such applications are polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), and polystyrene (PS). Unfortunately, most plastic packaging is disposable. As a consequence, significant amounts of waste are generated, entering the environment, and undergoing degradation processes. They can occur under the influence of mechanical forces, temperature, light, chemical, and biological factors. These factors can present synergistic or antagonistic effects. As a result of their action, microplastics are formed, which can undergo further fragmentation and decomposition into small-molecule compounds. During the degradation process, various additives used at the plastics’ processing stage can also be released. Both microplastics and additives can negatively affect human and animal health. Determination of the negative consequences of microplastics on the environment and health is not possible without knowing the course of degradation processes of packaging waste and their products. In this article, we present the sources of microplastics, the causes and places of their formation, the transport of such particles, the degradation of plastics most often used in the production of packaging for food storage, the factors affecting the said process, and its effects.

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Are Honey Bees at Risk from Microplastics?

Cited by 43 publications

References 70 publications

Exposure to polystyrene microplastic beads causes sex-specific toxic effects in the model insect Drosophila melanogaster

Exposure to polystyrene microplastic beads causes sex-specific toxic effects in the model insect Drosophila melanogaster

The potential of multispectral imaging flow cytometry for environmental monitoring

Microplastics Derived from Food Packaging Waste—Their Origin and Health Risks

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