Ethanol levels in honeybee hemolymph resulting from alcohol ingestion

Alcohol. 2007 Jun;41(4):281-4. doi: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2007.04.003. Epub 2007 May 23.

Abstract

Our previous work on a social insect model of ethanol-induced behavior focused on behavioral studies of honeybees (Apis mellifera L.). We now investigate the dependence of honeybee blood ethanol concentration on both the amount of ethanol consumed and time elapsed since ingestion. Blood ethanol level was determined using gas chromatograph using hemolymph taken from harnessed bees. Significantly increased levels of ethanol in honeybee hemolymph were detected within 15 min of feeding bees alcohol. Within 30 min, ethanol concentration increased 2.7 times. The concentration of ethanol ingested also had a significant effect on blood ethanol level. However, postfeeding times greater than 30 min did not significantly increase ethanol concentration in bee hemolymph. This study integrates with our behavioral data on the effect of ethanol on honeybees. Our laboratory and field experiments show a correlation between the time frame for behavioral changes and significant increases of blood ethanol levels shown in this study.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetaldehyde / metabolism
  • Acetates / metabolism
  • Aldehyde Oxidoreductases / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Bees / metabolism*
  • Central Nervous System Depressants / administration & dosage
  • Central Nervous System Depressants / metabolism*
  • Chromatography, Gas
  • Ethanol / administration & dosage
  • Ethanol / metabolism*
  • Hemolymph / metabolism*

Substances

  • Acetates
  • Central Nervous System Depressants
  • Ethanol
  • Aldehyde Oxidoreductases
  • aldehyde dehydrogenase (NAD(P)+)
  • Acetaldehyde