Question

Could be there any potential for changes in honey composition due topesticides ? Does subject ing bees to pesticides, along with any compounds to help bees express detoxifying substances?

Answer 1

The composition of honey chemically might not change, but the if honey bees are subjected to pesticides, there are good chances that they might transfer the pesticides into the honey. Research papers have been published which show case that honey from US and few other parts of the world are contaminated with pesticides. Like any other insects, pesticides are also toxic to honey bees. One of the most prominent toxic pesticide that affects bees is group of chemicals called Neonicotinoids. Multiple pesticides have been banned in several countries due to its toxicity to bees. But, one if the research conducted in the Center for Pollinator Research, Penn State,has shown that bees which feed on their natural pollen diet are comparatively more resistant to the pesticides than other bees. This natural diet of pollen, helps the bees to express genes that increases their resistance, detoxicification and immunity. This diet may also reduce the sensitivity of the bees to certain pesticides.