Posted in Kim Flottums Newsletter Catch the Buzz
From
Bee Alert Technology, Inc., Missoula, MT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Heating Kills Honey Bee Pathogen
Bozeman, Montana-April 24 , 2008 – Researchers at Montana State University have d iscovered a
possible treatment to sterilize beekeeping equipment exposed to Nosema ceranae, according to
Dr. Robert Cramer, an expert in fungal pathogenesis.
Using a technique called flow cytometry to measure the viability of the fungal spores of N.
ceranae, Julie Elser in the Cramer Lab discovered that treatment of the spores with heat at 50°C
(122°F) for 90 minutes led to 96% mortality of the spores. Similar treatment of the spores with
extreme cold did not significantly affect viability.
While these results are preliminary, the ease, cost, and safety of heat treatment suggests that
beekeeping equipment could be disinfected at temperatures that will not melt the wax in the
combs.
Randy Oliver, a California beekeeper, who has been writing about Nosema and coordinating with
the researchers, comments: "This is an important confirmation of a potential practical method for
comb sterilization, that could be of immense benefit to the industry. It confirms a body of
research on the previously known Nosema apis which suggested that N. apis spores were
susceptible to heat treatments. The demonstrated heat sensitivity helps to explain the newer
Nosema ceranae epidemiology. But until the actual Cramer trial, we did not know if the Nosema
apis sterilization data was applicable."
Many beekeepers have hot rooms that could be used to clean up comb, says Dr. Jerry
Bromenshenk, CEO of Bee Alert Technology, Inc. in Missoula, MT. At this time of the year,
beekeepers who have lost bee colonies to Nosema disease may be reluctant to put new bees on to
old combs, fearing re-infection. A 2-3 hour exposure of bee equipment to temperatures around
120°F may be warranted.
Bee Alert is working with the Cramer lab, Randy Oliver, and other beekeepers to set up field trials
of the effectiveness of heat treatment. Funding for the Nosema research was provided by the
California State Beekeepers Association and the Montana Agricultural Research Experiment
Station.
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