Fatty acids and elemental composition changes in honey bee workers (Apis mellifera) irradiated with gamma radiation

Abstract

The effect of gamma radiation on the whole body contents of fatty acids and elemental composition were investigated for honey bee workers Apis mellifera. The data indicated that the quantities of fatty acids and elemental composition within the whole body of the workers of A. mellifera were affected significantly especially at the dose of 20 rad. Data obtained indicated that the palmitic (C16:0), oleic (C18:1) and linolic (C18:2) acids increased when workers irradiated with 20 rad. Analysis of the 7 elements; Mg, P, K, Ca, Fe, Cu and Zn were detected by energy dispersive X- ray analyzer by using (EDX). The most dominant elements in control workers were K followed by P; the Fe occupied the last order. In irradiated adult workers with 20 rad, K recorded a higher percentage than its control. In the same dose (20 rad), the total heavy metals Copper + Zink (Cu + Zn) decreased from 19.81% to 14.8%.

Keywords:

• Apis mellifera
• gamma radiation
• fatty acid
• elements

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary material

Supplementary Figures are available via the ‘Supplementary’ tab on the article’s online page (http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00218839.2021.1938457).