Browsing by Author "Rodriguez-Flores, Maria Shantal"
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- Assessment of the in vivo and in vitro release of chemical compounds from vespa velutinaPublication . Rodriguez-Flores, Maria Shantal; Falcão, Soraia; Escuredo, Olga; Queijo, Luis; Seijo-Coello, M. Carmen; Vilas-Boas, MiguelVespa velutina has been rapidly expanding throughout Galicia since 2012. It is causing human health risks and well-known losses in the beekeeping sector. Control methods are scarce, unspecific, and ineffective. Semiochemicals are insect-derived chemicals that play a role in communication and they could be used an integrated pest management tool alternative to conventional pesticides. A previous determination of the organic chemical profile should be the first step in the study of these semiochemicals. HS-SPME in living individuals and the sting apparatus extraction followed by GC-MS spectrometry were combined to extract a possible profile of these compounds in 43 hornets from Galicia. The identified compounds were hydrocarbons, ketones, terpenes, and fatty acid, and fatty acid esters. Nonanal aldehyde appeared in important concentrations in living individuals. While pentadecane, 8-hexyl-and ethyl oleate were mainly extracted from the venom apparatus. Ketones 2-nonanone, 2-undecanone and 7-nonen-2-one, 4,8-dimethyl-were identified by both procedures, as was 1,7-Nonadiene, 4,8-dimethyl-. Some compounds were detected for the first time in V. velutina such as naphthalene, 1,6-dimethyl-4-(1-methylethyl). The chemical profile by caste was also characterized.
- Chemical profile from the head of Vespa velutina and V. crabroPublication . Rodriguez-Flores, Maria Shantal; Falcão, Soraia; Escuredo, Olga; Seijo-Coello, M. Carmen; Vilas-Boas, MiguelVespa velutina and V. crabro are eusocial insects in which chemical communication is decisive for social interactions. V. velutina was accidentally introduced in 2004 in France and subsequently in northern Spain in 2010. It is an invasive species that severely affects the beekeeping sector. The hornet autochthonous V. crabro with a similar ecological niche is captured in bait traps used to control V. velutina populations. Insect cuticle and head structures had an important role in chemical communication so that this research approaches for the first time chemical compounds extracted from the heads of V. velutina and V. crabro. Chemical compounds were profiled using GC/MS. The main compounds identified were carbohydrates, fatty acids, and hydrocarbons. The chemical profile of both species was compared and also an intrinsic differentiation was made between queens and workers in V. velutina. Chemometric techniques (PCA and LSD) were used to achieve this goal.
- Description of the volatile fraction of Erica honey from the northwest of the Iberian PeninsulaPublication . Rodriguez-Flores, Maria Shantal; Falcão, Soraia; Escuredo, Olga; Seijo-Coello, M. Carmen; Vilas-Boas, MiguelHeather honey is highly appreciated by consumers for its sensorial profile, which varies depending on the flora used by the honeybees. Volatile compounds contribute to these qualities. Characterisation of the volatile profile related to the botanical origin is of great interest for the standardization of unifloral honey. For this reason, 33 heather honey samples from northwest of the Iberian Peninsula were analysed by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) to identify the key volatile compounds in this type of honey. The aim of this research was to provide a descriptive analysis of these compounds, and to find whether there is any relationship with the main Erica species. A total of 58 volatile organic compounds were found, with hotrienol, phenylacetaldehyde, and cis-linalool being the most abundant. A principal component analysis and Spearman's rank correlation showed the homogeneity of the volatile profile in the samples, and their close relationship with the main pollen types.
- Differentiating between monofloral portuguese bee pollens using phenolic and volatile profiles and their impact on bioactive propertiesPublication . Larbi, Samar; Aylanc, Volkan; Rodriguez-Flores, Maria Shantal; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Barros, Lillian; Rezouga, Feriel; Seijo-Coello, M. Carmen; Falcão, Soraia; Vilas-Boas, MiguelNowadays, bee products are commended by consumers for their medicinal and dietary properties. This study aimed to differentiate between monofloral bee pollens originating from Portugal using phenolic and volatile profiles and investigate their antioxidant and cytotoxic activity. Total phenolic and flavonoid compounds were recorded between 2.9-35.8 mg GAE/g and 0.7-4.8 mg QE/g, respectively. The LC/DAD/ESI-MSn analytical results allowed us to identify and quantify a total of 72 compounds, including phenolic and phenylamide compounds, whereas GC-MS results revealed the presence of 49 different compounds, mostly ketones, aldehydes, esters, hydrocarbons, and terpenes. The highest DPPH center dot radical scavenging activity, EC50: 0.07 mg/mL, was recorded in the sample dominated by Castanae sp. pollen, whereas the Rubus sp. (1.59 mM Trolox/mg) and Cistaceae sp. (0.09 mg GAE/g) pollen species exhibited the highest antioxidant activity in ABTS center dot+ and reducing power assays, respectively. Regarding the anti-carcinogenic activity, only Carduus sp. showed remarkable cytotoxic potential against MCF-7.
- Evaluation of antioxidant and anticancer activity of mono- and polyfloral moroccan bee pollen by characterizing phenolic and volatile compoundsPublication . Aylanc, Volkan; Larbi, Samar; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Barros, Lillian; Rezouga, Feriel; Rodriguez-Flores, Maria Shantal; Seijo-Coello, M. Carmen; El Ghouizi, Asmae; Lyoussi, Badiâa; Falcão, Soraia; Vilas-Boas, MiguelBee pollen is frequently characterized as a natural source of bioactive components, such as phenolic compounds, which are responsible for its pharmaceutical potential and nutritional properties. In this study, we evaluated the bioactive compound contents of mono- and polyfloral bee pollen samples using spectroscopic and chromatographic methods and established links with their antioxidant and antitumor activity. The findings demonstrated that the botanical origin of bee pollen has a remarkable impact on its phenolic (3-17 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid (0.5-3.2 mg QE/g) contents. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed the presence of 35 phenolic and 13 phenylamide compounds in bee pollen, while gas chromatography-mass spectrometry showed its richness in volatiles, such as hydrocarbons, fatty acids, alcohols, ketones, etc. The concentration of bioactive compounds in each sample resulted in a substantial distinction in their antioxidant activity, DPPH (EC50: 0.3-0.7 mg/mL), ABTS (0.8-1.3 mM Trolox/mg), and reducing power (0.03-0.05 mg GAE/g), with the most bioactive pollens being the monofloral samples from Olea europaea and Ononis spinosa. Complementarily, some samples revealed a moderate effect on cervical carcinoma (GI(50): 495 mu g/mL) and breast adenocarcinoma (GI(50): 734 mu g/mL) cell lines. This may be associated with compounds such as quercetin-O-diglucoside and kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside, which are present in pollens from Olea europaea and Coriandrum, respectively. Overall, the results highlighted the potentiality of bee pollen to serve health-promoting formulations in the future.
- Feromonas de Vespa Velutina. Estudio de sus compuestos volátiles orgánicosPublication . Rodriguez-Flores, Maria Shantal; Falcão, Soraia; Vilas-Boas, Miguel; Seijo-Coello, M. Carmen; Seijo Rodríguez, Ana; Escuredo, OlgaLa especie invasora, Vespa velutina, presenta una excelente adaptación a las condiciones climáticas del norte y noroeste de la Península Ibérica. Este factor, junto a la inexistencia de competidores naturales, ha favorecido su rápida expansión en esta región [1]. Los impactos socio-económicos causados son preocupantes, especialmente aquellos relacionados con el medio ambiente, ya que esta especie está perjudicando la diversidad entomológica, al provocar un descenso en las poblaciones de las especies de las que se alimenta, entre estas, destaca Apis mellifera. La acción sobre las abejas puede exterminar colmenas enteras afectando notablemente a la producción apícola. Uno de los métodos de control utilizados es el trampeo de las reinas fundadoras en primavera. Sin embargo, el trampeo es poco selectivo ya que actualmente no existe un atrayente específico que permita la captura exclusiva del avispón. V. velutina es una especie social, por lo que las feromonas, juegan un papel crucial en su comunicación [2]. Así el estudio de sus feromonas puede resultar interesante para la elaboración de un atrayente específico. De este modo, el principal objetivo de este estudio, se basa en la identificación de compuestos volátiles orgánicos (VOCs) presentes en individuos vivos y en feromonas procedentes de las glándulas de alarma. Los avispones se obtuvieron de una población natural con altas densidades de nidos en un colmenar de (A Cañiza, Pontevedra). El análisis GC-MS se realizó con un sistema Perkin Elmer con un módulo Clarus® 580 GC y un Clarus® SQ 8 S (Waltham, Massachusetts, USA). Se inyectaron muestras de feromonas recolectadas in vivo mediante un dispositivo SPME e in vitro mediante la extracción de las glándulas de alarma. Como principales resultados en los especímenes de velutina analizados in vivo, destacó el nonanal como uno de los compuestos con mayores concentraciones. Otros compuestos, destacables fueron el tetradecano, 4,6- dimethyldodecano, decanal, 4,7- dimethylundecano, y 9-hexylheptadecano. En cuanto a los extractos de las glándulas de alarma, los principales compuestos identificados fueron el tetracosano, heneicosano, eicosano, octacosanol, heptacosano, octacosano e sus derivados. La identificación de los compuestos presentes en las muestras junto al estudio de un mayor número de individuos de otras poblaciones puede ser de interés para desarrollar atrayentes específicos que mejoren el control de la especie.
- Honey bee viruses in the yellow-legged hornet Vespa velutina (Lepelieter 1836): Prevalence, loads, and detection of replicative DWV and LSV formsPublication . Rodriguez-Flores, Maria Shantal; Lopes, Ana; Diéguez-Antón, Ana; Seijo-Coello, M. Carmen; Pinto, M. AliceApiaries in Galicia, northwestern Spain, are currently facing the invasive alien species Vespa velutina, which is well established in the region. The pressure on honey bee colonies is high, resulting in both economic and ecological losses. Honey bee colonies also face the challenge of viruses, which are becoming increasingly diverse. In recent years, honey bee viruses have been spreading across taxonomic groups beyond Apoidea, infecting the Vespoidea superfamily. This cross-species spillover has raised concerns in the scientific community due to the potential risk of viruses spreading in ecosystems. Currently, there is a lack of knowledge on this topic, and further research is needed to address this issue. This study employed qPCR and sequencing to investigate the prevalence, loads, and presence of replicative forms of important honey bee viruses in V. velutina individuals collected from 11 apiaries in Galicia. All V. velutina individuals tested positive for DWV, BQCV, AKI complex (ABPV, KBV, and IAPV), or LSV but not for CBPV. DWV showed the highest prevalence (97.0 %) and loads, with both DWV-A (67.4 %) and DWV-B (32.6 %) being detected. The AKI complex (46.3 %) and LSV (43.3 %) were also common, whereas BQCV (11.9 %) was rarer. LSV is detected for the first time in V. velutina. LSV-2 was the dominant strain (82.1 %), and two less frequent (17.9 %) unknown strains were also detected. All 44 screened V. velutina samples carried the replicative form of DWV, and six of these also carried the replicative form of LSV, raising for the first time the possibility of co-infection in the hornet. The detection of honey bee viruses in V. velutina, and the ability of these viruses to spread to other species, may indicate a potential risk of spillover in the apiaries.
- Maternal origin of honeybee (Apis mellifera) colonies from across EuropePublication . Lopes, Ana; Costa, Maíra; Tounakti, Sahar; Henriques, Dora; Quaresma, Andreia; Yadró Garcia, Carlos A.; Albo, Alexandre; Blažytė-Čereškienė, Laima; Broodschneider, Robert; Brusbardis, Valters; Carreck, Norman L.; Charistos, Leonidas; Chlebo, Robert; Coffey, Mary F.; Danneels, Ellen; Dobrescu, Constantin; Filipi, Janja; Gajda, Anna; Galea, Thomas; Gratzer, Kristina; Hatjina, Fani; Johannesen, Jes; Körmendy-Rácz, János; Kovačić, Marin; Preben, Kristiansen; Martikkala, Maritta; Martín-Hernández, Raquel; Pietropaoli, Marco; Poirot, Benjamin; Radev, Zheko; Raudmets, Aivar; Douarre, Vincent; Rodriguez-Flores, Maria Shantal; Roessink, Ivo; Ivana, Maja; Škerl, Maja Ivana Smodiš; Titera, Dalibor; Steen, Jozef van der; Varnava, Andri; Vejsnæs, Flemming; Webster, Matthew T.; Graaf, Dirk C.; Pinto, M. AliceWorldwide commercial beekeeping poses a threat to the native origin of the honeybee (Apis mellifera), with beekeepers favouring subspecies of Eastern European C-lineage ancestry, due to their docile behaviour and high honey production traits. In many parts of western and northern Europe, queens of Western European M-lineage ancestry have been massively replaced by queens of C-lineage ancestry, and this has led to the development of conservation programs aiming at recovering native lines. The maternally-inherited mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), particularly the intergenic region tRNAleu-cox2, has been the marker of choice for assessing honey bee variation at large geographical scales. Herein, we will show the results of the mtDNA analysis of over 850 colonies collected across 28 European countries. These samples were subjected to DNA extraction, followed by PCR, and Sanger sequencing. The analysis of the sequences was conducted in Mega 11. The results indicated that, apart from Portugal, Spain, and the conservation centres in France and Denmark, where the colonies exhibited African or M haplotypes, the remaining countries are dominated by colonies of C-lineage maternal ancestry. In conclusion, this unprecedented mtDNA analysis conducted across Europe underscores the worrying dominance of C-lineage genetic variation, highlighting the urgent need for strategic conservation efforts to preserve the native genetic diversity of Apis mellifera.
- Nosema ceranae detection in yellow-legged hornet, Vespa Velutina Nigrithorax, in the norwest of SpainPublication . Rodriguez-Flores, Maria Shantal; Lopes, Ana; Diéguez-Antón, Ana; Seijo-Coello, M. Carmen; Pinto, M. AliceThe Vespa velutina nigrithorax is an invasive hornet from Asia that is causing significant concern for its impact on the European beekeeping sector. Its high adaptability and reproductive capacity have enabled the registration of over 50,000 nests in Galicia (northwest Spain) in 2023. It has been estimated that more than 20,000 individuals may emerge from each colony. This hornet consumes large quantities of honey bees in apiaries to satisfy the protein needs of its larvae. It has been demonstrated that this hornet can contain various pollinator pathogens after consuming its preys. The microsporidium Nosema provides a useful illustration of this. N. ceranae is a pathogen that causes a disease called nosemosis, which infects adult honey bees and contributes to colony depopulation. The presence of N. ceranae in V. velutina could have an impact on the dynamics of native host pathogens and contribute to the spread of this parasite. Therefore, there is a need for further knowledge on the presence of N. ceranae in V. velutina. A total of 62 individuals of V. velutina were collected from 11 apiaries located in different municipalities of Galicia to analyze the presence of N. ceranae. After DNA extraction, N. ceranae was determined in the V. velutina specimens by PCR amplification. N. ceranae was detected in five of the 11 apiaries (Culleredo, San Sadurniño, Gondomar, Fonsagrada, and Sergude). In these apiaries, nine hornets were found to be positive for N. ceranae. The results of this study provide information on the presence of N. ceranae in V. velutina, which is likely to have been acquired from honey bee consumption. This study suggests that V. velutina may contribute to the spread of this pathogen, which could represent a potential long-term risk for apiaries.
- Phenolic profile of Castanea bee pollen from the northwest of the iberian peninsulaPublication . Rodriguez-Flores, Maria Shantal; Escuredo, Olga; Seijo-Coello, M. Carmen; Rojo, Sergio; Vilas-Boas, Miguel; Falcão, SoraiaBee pollen is a rich bee product, from the point of view of its nutritional and functional chemical characteristics. The chemical composition of bee pollen and its properties make this product an excellent food supplement for the human diet, due to its various functional bioactivities, such as having antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties depend on the botanical origin of the bee pollen. Castanea sativa bee pollen is one of the most important types of pollen collected in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. Thus, the phenolic profile of Castanea bee pollen was featured in this study. For this, 11 samples of Castanea were selected through prior colorimetric separation using the CIELab* scale and verified with palynological analysis. Identification of the main phenol compounds was performed through LC/DAD/ESI-MSn analysis. The phenols compounds were quantified using calibration curves for caffeic acid, quercetin, and naringenin. The main results showed a profile formed of 19 compounds for all samples, although quantitative differences were found. Most of these compounds were phenolamides, with N-1, N-5, and N-10-tricaffeoylspermidine being significantly (p < 0.05) the most abundant. Three isorhamnetin glycoside derivatives and one naringenin were also identified. The richness in phenolamides of Castanea bee pollen identified in this study suggests Castanea bee pollen as a functional food, owing to its healthy properties.