Dual effect of S-methyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide from rapeseed nectar on honey bee health

Result code in IS VaVaI

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Result on the web

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DOI - Digital Object Identifier

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Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Dual effect of S-methyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide from rapeseed nectar on honey bee health

Original language description

Intensive agriculture affects pollinator health, including honey bees (Apis mellifera). Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.), a widely cultivated oil crop, provides abundant pollen and nectar, and its honey is valued for yield, mild taste and texture. However, rapeseed contains phytochemicals, including S-methyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide (SMCSO). This compound acts as a plant toxin in ruminants, where it is linked to kale anemia, sparking interest in its potential impact on honey bee health. We quantified SMCSO and its metabolites across seasons, colonies, body parts, and dietary sources using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Additionally, a cage-feeding experiment assessed SMCSO’s toxicity and effects on antioxidant capacity, antimicrobial activity, proteolytic patterns, and free amino acid profiles. SMCSO concentrations in the bee gut and body varied across colonies, likely due to dietary preferences, peaking during rapeseed flowering. The thorax showed the highest SMCSO concentration (2.5 µmol/g in foragers), while its main metabolite, 3-methylthiolactic acid sulfoxide, reached 6 µmol/g, particularly in nurses. SMCSO accumulated in tissues, indicating its presence in the body was not solely dependent on immediate gut content. Although nectar contained higher SMCSO concentrations than pollen, both served as significant sources. Short-term SMCSO exposure (1 mg SMCSO given in 1mL of sucrose solution (1:1 w/v; sucrose/water)) had no immediate toxic effects and even enhanced bees’ antioxidant capacity. However, prolonged exposure (1 mg/ml SMCSO in sucrose solution (1:1 w/v; sucrose/water) ad libitum for 10 days) led to reduced body weight, particularly in the thorax and head, and altered amino acid metabolism, as reflected in the metabolomic profiles of both the body and gut. In contrast, the control group (sucrose solution (1:1 w/v; sucrose/ water)), showed no such effects. This dual effect may explain why rapeseed remains a key forage source despite its phytochemical complexity. Furthermore, SMCSO accumulated in rapeseed honey at significantly higher levels than in other honey types, making it a potential botanical biomarker. This study provides new insights into SMCSO’s role in honey bee health, highlighting both benefits and risks of rapeseed forage. While beekeepers often report variable colony fitness near rapeseed fields, atrributed to pesticides, our findings suggest that SMCSO may also play a role

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

O - Miscellaneous

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

40101 - Agriculture

Project

Result was created during the realization of more than one project. More information in the Projects tab.

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů