Atmospheric non-thermal plasma inactivation of Ascosphaera apis, the causative agent of chalkbrood disease in honeybee
-
Published:2024-01-21
Issue:1
Volume:14
Page:
-
ISSN:2045-2322
-
Container-title:Scientific Reports
-
language:en
-
Short-container-title:Sci Rep
Author:
Boonmee Thummanoon,Sinpoo Chainarong,Thayatham Kunlada,Suanpoot Pradoong,Disayathanoowat Terd,Pettis Jeffery S.,Chaimanee Veeranan
Abstract
AbstractAscosphaera apis is a worldwide pathogenic fungi of honeybees that can cause a decline in bee populations. In this study, we investigated the antifungal activity of non-thermal plasma on fungal growth. Spore inactivation after exposure to gas plasma by liquid phase and plasma activated water (PAW) and pathogenicity of A. apis in vivo were also examined. The results demonstrated that the mycelial growth of fungi was completely inhibited after argon plasma treatment. Both gas plasma and PAW exposures resulted in a significant decrease of A. apis spore numbers, maximum reduction of 1.71 and 3.18-fold, respectively. Germinated fungal spores on potato dextrose agar were also reduced after plasma treatment. SEM analysis revealed a disruption in the morphological structure of the fungal spores. The pathogenicity of A. apis on honeybee larvae was decreased after spores treated by gas plasma and PAW with a disease inhibition of 63.61 ± 7.28% and 58.27 ± 5.87%, respectively after 7 days of cultivation. Chalkbrood in honey bees have limited control options and our findings are encouraging. Here, we demonstrate a possible alternative control method using non-thermal plasma for chalkbrood disease in honeybees.
Funder
Maejo University, Thailand
Proactive Researcher, Chiang Mai University
Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund 2022
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Multidisciplinary
Reference46 articles.
1. Spiltoir, C. F. Life cycle of Ascosphaera apis (Pericystis apis). Am. J. Bot. 42, 501–508 (1955).
2. Spiltoir, C. F. & Olive, L. S. A reclassification of the genus Pericystis betts. Mycologia 47(2), 238–244 (1955).
3. Kluser, S. & Peduzzi, P. Global Pollinator Decline: A Literature Review—A Scientific Report About the Current Situation, Recent Findings and Potential Solution to Shed Light on the Global Pollinator Crisis (2007).
4. Bailey, L. Infectious Diseases of the Honeybee (ed. Bailey, L.). Vol. 176 (Land Books Ltd, 1963).
5. De Jong, D. Experimental enhancement of chalk brood infections. Bee World 57, 114–115 (1976).