SYNTHETIC HONEY PREPARATION BY YEAST CELLS AND IMMOBILIZED YEAST CELLS FROM SALIVARY GLANDS OF HONEY BEES
Yeast from the salivary glands of honey bees Apis mellifera and Apis cerana was isolated and used for preparation of synthetic honey. Free as well as immobilized yeast cells of these two species were studied for efficiency in preparation of synthetic honey from sucrose solution. The solutions exhibited lowered pH and increased level of fructose and total amino acids. The content of synthetic honey increased with increase in the time of incubation till 48 hours and decreased thereafter. The obtained solution possessed properties similar to the natural honey.
Invertase activity in honey
The invertase activity was determined for 499 honeys (27 multifloral and 472 unifloral from Arbutus, Carduus, Castanea, Citrus, Erica, Eucalyptus, Hedysarum, Helianthus, Rhododendron, Robinia, Rosmarinus, Taraxacum, Thymus, Tilia, fir honeydew and honeydew produced by Met- calfa pruinosa), in order to determine its variability and establish the range characteristic for each honey type. The results show that invertase activity varies considerably in the different honey types (from less than 0.5 to more than 30 IN). Robinia, Arbutus, Citrus, Erica and Rosmarinus have the lowest values (usually less than 10) and the two honeydew honeys the highest (more than 18). The diastase content of the samples was also measured, to compare the content of the two enzymes, and a certain correlation was observed (r = 0.835, P < 0.001). The IN/DN ratio ranges from less than 0.1 to more than 2. The possible role of invertase and IN/DN ratio in honey quality evaluation is discussed. © Inra/DIB/AGIB/Elsevier, Paris
Avian infectious bronchitis.
Avian infectious bronchitis (IB) is caused by the gammacoronavirus infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). The virus causes infections mainly in chickens and is a significant pathogen of commercial meat and egg type birds. IB is an acute, contagious disease characterised primarily by respiratory signs in growing chickens. In hens, decreased egg production and quality are often observed. Some strains of the virus are nephropathogenic and produce interstitial nephritis and mortality. The severity of IBV-induced respiratory disease is enhanced by the presence of other pathogens, including bacteria, leading to chronic complicated airsacculitis. Diagnosis of IB requires virus isolation or demonstration of viral nucleic acid from diseased flocks. Demonstration of a rising serum antibody response may also be useful. The widespread use of live and inactivated vaccines may complicate both the interpretation of virus isolation and serology findings. The occurrence of antigenic variant strains may overcome immunity induced by vaccination.