Mike Palmer wrote "Have you got a link to any studies that show HFCS is
harmful to
bees, and can cause sickness or death? I would be interested in reading
that, as I feed tons of HFCS each fall to colonies that don't have quite
enough to make it 'till spring. I believe there are two production methods
for this sugar...acid, and enzyme. I've heard the acid produced HFCS is
deadly, while the enzyme produced is ok. The enzymes produced by a bacteria
convert corn starch into sugar...Fructose (55%) and Dextrose (45%). I have
always used the enzyme produced HFCS."
Different Processing methods are used to produce HFCS. And yes, some are
deadly. Good overview is available at
http://www.gov.ns.ca/nsaf/elibrary/archive/hort/bee/carbo.htm
Studies show that sucrose syrup produces highest survival rates of bees on
supplemental feed.
http://www.beesource.com/pov/usda/apidologie1978.htm
I'm sure there are lots more studies out there.
Best Regards
Frank Seiler
www.seilerbees.com
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info ---
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::