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Rawat S, Trius Béjar J, Wang A. Characterization of Optical, Thermal, and Viscoelastic Properties of Pollenkitt in Angiosperm Pollen Using In-Line Digital Holographic Microscopy. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024; 7:4029-4038. [PMID: 38756048 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.4c00367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Pollen grains are remarkable material composites, with various organelles in their fragile interior protected by a strong shell made of sporopollenin. The outermost layer of angiosperm pollen grains contains a lipid-rich substance called pollenkitt, which is a natural bioadhesive that helps preserve structural integrity when the pollen grain is exposed to external environmental stresses. In addition, its viscous nature enables it to adhere to various floral and insect surfaces, facilitating the pollination process. To examine the physicochemical properties of aqueous pollenkitt droplets, we used in-line digital holographic microscopy to capture light scattering from individual pollenkitt particles. Comparison of pollenkitt holograms to those modeled using the Lorenz-Mie theory enables investigations into the minute variations in the refractive index and size resulting from changes in local temperature and pollen aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddharth Rawat
- School of Chemistry, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- School of Physics, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- Australian Centre for Astrobiology, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- ARC CoE in Synthetic Biology, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Juan Trius Béjar
- Departament de Física, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona 08034, Spain
| | - Anna Wang
- School of Chemistry, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- Australian Centre for Astrobiology, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
- ARC CoE in Synthetic Biology, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
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2
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Amador GJ, van Oorschot BK, Liao C, Wu J, Wei D. Functional fibrillar interfaces: Biological hair as inspiration across scales. BEILSTEIN JOURNAL OF NANOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 15:664-677. [PMID: 38887525 PMCID: PMC11181169 DOI: 10.3762/bjnano.15.55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Hair, or hair-like fibrillar structures, are ubiquitous in biology, from fur on the bodies of mammals, over trichomes of plants, to the mastigonemes on the flagella of single-celled organisms. While these long and slender protuberances are passive, they are multifunctional and help to mediate interactions with the environment. They provide thermal insulation, sensory information, reversible adhesion, and surface modulation (e.g., superhydrophobicity). This review will present various functions that biological hairs have been discovered to carry out, with the hairs spanning across six orders of magnitude in size, from the millimeter-thick fur of mammals down to the nanometer-thick fibrillar ultrastructures on bateriophages. The hairs are categorized according to their functions, including protection (e.g., thermal regulation and defense), locomotion, feeding, and sensing. By understanding the versatile functions of biological hairs, bio-inspired solutions may be developed across length scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo J Amador
- Experimental Zoology Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, De Elst 1, 6708 WD Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Brett Klaassen van Oorschot
- Experimental Zoology Group, Department of Animal Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, De Elst 1, 6708 WD Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Caiying Liao
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Jianing Wu
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, China
| | - Da Wei
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics and Laboratory of Soft Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
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3
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Wizenberg SB, Newburn LR, Pepinelli M, Conflitti IM, Richardson RT, Hoover SER, Currie RW, Giovenazzo P, Zayed A. Validating a multi-locus metabarcoding approach for characterizing mixed-pollen samples. PLANT METHODS 2023; 19:120. [PMID: 37925401 PMCID: PMC10625703 DOI: 10.1186/s13007-023-01097-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mutualistic interaction between entomophilous plants and pollinators is fundamental to the structure of most terrestrial ecosystems. The sensitive nature of this relationship has been disrupted by anthropogenic modifications to natural landscapes, warranting development of new methods for exploring this trophic interaction. Characterizing the composition of pollen collected by pollinators, e.g. Apis mellifera, is a common means of exploring this relationship, but traditional methods of microscopic pollen assessment are laborious and limited in their scope. The development of pollen metabarcoding as a method of rapidly characterizing the abundance and diversity of pollen within mixed samples presents a new frontier for this type of work, but metabarcoding may have limitations, and validation is warranted before any suite of primers can be confidently used in a research program. We set out to evaluate the utility of an integrative approach, using a set of established primers (ITS2 and rbcL) versus melissopalynological analysis for characterizing 27 mixed-pollen samples from agricultural sites across Canada. RESULTS Both individual markers performed well relative to melissopalynology at the family level with decreases in the strength of correlation and linear model fits at the genus level. Integrating data from both markers together via a multi-locus approach provided the best rank-based correlation between metagenetic and melissopalynological data at both the genus (ρ = 0.659; p < 0.001) and family level (ρ = 0.830; p < 0.001). Species accumulation curves indicated that, after controlling for sampling effort, melissopalynological characterization provides similar or higher species richness estimates than either marker. The higher number of plant species discovered via the metabarcoding approach simply reflects the vastly greater sampling effort in comparison to melissopalynology. CONCLUSIONS Pollen metabarcoding performed well at characterizing the composition of mixed pollen samples relative to a traditional melissopalynological approach. Limitations to the quantitative application of this method can be addressed by adopting a multi-locus approach that integrates information from multiple markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney B Wizenberg
- Department of Biology, York University, 4700 Keele St., Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Laura R Newburn
- Department of Biology, York University, 4700 Keele St., Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Mateus Pepinelli
- Department of Biology, York University, 4700 Keele St., Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Ida M Conflitti
- Department of Biology, York University, 4700 Keele St., Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - Rodney T Richardson
- Appalachian Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Frostburg, MD, 21613, USA
| | - Shelley E R Hoover
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive W, Lethbridge, AB, T1K3M4, Canada
| | - Robert W Currie
- Department of Entomology, University of Manitoba, 12 Dafoe Road, Winnipeg, MB, R3T2N2, Canada
| | - Pierre Giovenazzo
- Département de Biologie, Université Laval, 2325 Rue de l'Université, Québec City, Québec, G1V0A6, Canada
| | - Amro Zayed
- Department of Biology, York University, 4700 Keele St., Toronto, ON, M3J 1P3, Canada.
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4
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Amaral KR, Silva AS, Santos LF, Castanheira EJ, Mendes MC, Costa DCS, Rodrigues JMM, Marto J, Mano JF. Biomimetic Adhesive Micropatterned Hydrogel Patches for Drug Release. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2301513. [PMID: 37515450 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202301513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
The optimized physical adhesion between bees' leg hairs and pollen grains-whereby the latter's diameter aligns with the spacing between the hairs-has previously inspired the development of a biomimetic drug dressing. Combining this optimized process with the improved natural mussels' adhesion in wet environments in a dual biomimetic process, it is herein proposed the fabrication of a natural-derived micropatterned hydrogel patch of methacrylated laminarin (LAM-MET), with enriched drug content and improved adhesiveness, suitable for applications like wound healing. Enhanced adhesion is accomplished by modifying LAM-MET with hydroxypyridinone groups, following the patch microfabrication by soft lithography and UV/vis-irradiation, resulting in a membrane with micropillars with a high aspect ratio. Following the biomimetics rational, a drug patch is engineered by combining the microfabricated dressing with drug particles milled to fit the spaces between pillars. Controlled drug release is achieved, together with inherent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and enhanced biocompatibility using the bare micropatterned patches. This new class of biomimetic dressings overcomes the challenges of current patches, like poor mechanical properties and biocompatibility, limited adhesiveness and drug dosage, and lack of prolonged antimicrobial activity, opening new insights for the development of high drug-loaded dressings with improved patient compliance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katia R Amaral
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - A Sofia Silva
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Lúcia F Santos
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Edgar J Castanheira
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Maria C Mendes
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Dora C S Costa
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - João M M Rodrigues
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Joana Marto
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon, Lisboa, 1649-003, Portugal
| | - João F Mano
- Department of Chemistry, CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
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Hasegawa TM, Itagaki T, Sakai S. Pollen morphology for successful pollination dependent on pollinator taxa in a generalist plant: relationship with foraging behavior. Oecologia 2023; 203:53-62. [PMID: 37787826 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-023-05450-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Pollen morphology varies at inter- and intraspecific levels. Its interaction with pollinator behavior and morphology determines the probability of successful pollination. We tested whether pollen morphology promoting successful pollination differs depending on pollinator taxa in a generalist shrub, Weigela hortensis (Caprifoliaceae). We identified flower visitors carrying pollen from anthers to stigmas and compared the spine length and diameter of the pollen grains they carried. We found that pollen on the bodies of bumble bees and hunch-back flies and the scopae of small bees (including andrenid bees) contributed to seed production. Pollen grains on the bodies of bumble bees had longer spines than those on the scopae of andrenid bees or the bodies of hunch-back flies. Pollen grains on the bodies of bumble bees and the scopae of andrenid bees had larger diameters than those on hunch-back flies. Bumble bees collected pollen grains with shorter spines and larger diameters on their corbiculae while andrenid bees collected pollen grains with shorter spines and intermediate diameters on their scopae. The differences in morphology of pollen carried by pollinators reflected the tendency of bees to collect pollen with specific morphology into corbiculae/scopae. Our findings suggest that pollen morphology has diversified to facilitate successful pollination by pollinating partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya M Hasegawa
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Aoba, Sendai, 980-8578, Japan.
- Horticultural Research Center, Niigata Agricultural Research Institute, Seiro, Niigata, 957-0111, Japan.
| | - Tomoyuki Itagaki
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Aoba, Sendai, 980-8578, Japan
| | - Satoki Sakai
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Aoba, Sendai, 980-8578, Japan
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6
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Palmer RA, O’Reilly LJ, Carpenter J, Chenchiah IV, Robert D. An analysis of time-varying dynamics in electrically sensitive arthropod hairs to understand real-world electrical sensing. J R Soc Interface 2023; 20:20230177. [PMID: 37553992 PMCID: PMC10410214 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2023.0177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
With increasing evidence of electroreception in terrestrial arthropods, an understanding of receptor level processes is vital to appreciating the capabilities and limits of this sense. Here, we examine the spatio-temporal sensitivity of mechanoreceptive filiform hairs in detecting electrical fields. We first present empirical data, highlighting the time-varying characteristics of biological electrical signals. After which, we explore how electrically sensitive hairs may respond to such stimuli. The main findings are: (i) oscillatory signals (elicited by wingbeats) influence the spatial sensitivity of hairs, unveiling an inextricable spatio-temporal link; (ii) wingbeat direction modulates spatial sensitivity; (iii) electrical wingbeats can be approximated by sinusoidally modulated DC signals; and (iv) for a moving point charge, maximum sensitivity occurs at a faster timescale than a hair's frequency-based tuning. Our results show that electro-mechanical sensory hairs may capture different spatio-temporal information, depending on an object's movement and wingbeat and in comparison with aero-acoustic stimuli. Crucially, we suggest that electrostatic and aero-acoustic signals may provide distinguishable channels of information for arthropods. Given the pervasiveness of electric fields in nature, our results suggest further study to understand electrostatics in the ecology of arthropods and to reveal unknown ecological relationships and novel interactions between species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan A. Palmer
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
- School of Mathematics, University of Bristol, Fry Building, Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 1UG, UK
| | - Liam J. O’Reilly
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
| | - Jacob Carpenter
- School of Mathematics, University of Bristol, Fry Building, Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 1UG, UK
| | - Isaac V. Chenchiah
- School of Mathematics, University of Bristol, Fry Building, Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 1UG, UK
| | - Daniel Robert
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
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7
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Ito S, Rajabi H, Gorb SN. A ballistic pollen dispersal strategy based on stylar oscillation of Hypochaeris radicata (Asteraceae). J Exp Biol 2023; 226:297119. [PMID: 36896845 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.244258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
Asteraceae, one of the largest flowering plant families, are adapted to a vast range of ecological niches. Their adaptability is partially based on their strong ability to reproduce. The initial, yet challenging, step for the reproduction of animal-pollinated plants is to transport pollen to flower-visiting pollinators. We adopted Hypochaeris radicata as a model species to investigate the functional morphology of the typical floral feature of Asteraceae, a pollen-bearing style. Using quantitative experiments and numerical simulations, here we show that the pollen-bearing style can serve as a ballistic lever for catapulting pollen grains to pollinators. This can potentially be a pollen dispersal strategy to propel pollen to safe sites on pollinators' bodies, which are beyond the physical reach of the styles. Our results suggest that the specific morphology of the floret and the pollen adhesion avoid pollen waste by catapulting pollen within a specific range equal to the size of a flowerhead. The insights into the functional floral oscillation may shed light on the superficially unremarkable, but ubiquitous functional floral design of Asteraceae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuto Ito
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, University of Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 9, D-24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Hamed Rajabi
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, University of Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 9, D-24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Stanislav N Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, University of Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 9, D-24118 Kiel, Germany
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8
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Hasegawa TM, Itagaki T, Sakai S. Intraspecific variation in morphology of spiny pollen grains along an altitudinal gradient in an insect-pollinated shrub. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2023; 25:287-295. [PMID: 36440587 DOI: 10.1111/plb.13493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Intraspecific variations in pollen morphological traits are poorly studied. Interspecific variations are often associated with pollination systems and pollinator types. Altitudinal environmental changes, which can influence local pollinator assemblages, provide opportunities to explore differentiation in pollen traits of a single species over short distances. The aim of this study is to examine intraspecific variations in pollen traits of an insect-pollinated shrub, Weigela hortensis (Caprifoliaceae), along an altitudinal gradient. Pollen spine phenotypes (length, number and density), pollen diameter, lipid mass (pollenkitt) around pollen grains, pollen production per flower and pollinator assemblages were compared at four sites at different altitudes. Spine length and the spine length/diameter ratio of pollen grains were greater at higher altitudes but not correlated with flower or plant size. Spine number and density increased as flower size increased, and pollen lipid mass decreased as plant size increased. Bees were the predominant pollinators at low-altitude sites whereas flies, specifically Oligoneura spp. (Acroceridae), increased in relative abundance with increasing altitude. The results of this study suggest that the increase in spine length with altitude was the result of selection favouring longer spines at higher-altitude sites and/or shorter spines at lower-altitude sites. The altitudinal variation in selection pressure on spine length could reflect changes in local pollinator assemblages with altitude.
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Affiliation(s)
- T M Hasegawa
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Aoba, Sendai, Japan
| | - T Itagaki
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Aoba, Sendai, Japan
| | - S Sakai
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Aoba, Sendai, Japan
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9
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Passive electrolocation in terrestrial arthropods: Theoretical modelling of location detection. J Theor Biol 2023; 558:111357. [PMID: 36410450 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2022.111357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The recent discovery that some terrestrial arthropods can detect, use, and learn from weak electrical fields adds a new dimension to our understanding of how organisms explore and interact with their environments. For bees and spiders, the filiform mechanosensory systems enable this novel sensory modality by carrying electric charge and deflecting in response to electrical fields. This mode of information acquisition opens avenues for previously unrealised sensory dynamics and capabilities. In this paper, we study one such potential: the possibility for an arthropod to locate electrically charged objects. We begin by illustrating how electrostatic interactions between hairs and surrounding electrical fields enable the process of location detection. After which we examine three scenarios: (1) the determination of the location and magnitude of multiple point charges through a single observation, (2) the learning of electrical and mechanical sensor properties and the characteristics of an electrical field through several observations, (3) the possibility that an observer can infer their location and orientation in a fixed and known electrical field (akin to "stellar navigation"). To conclude, we discuss the potential of electroreception to endow an animal with thus far unappreciated sensory capabilities, such as the mapping of electrical environments. Electroreception by terrestrial arthropods offers a renewed understanding of the sensory processes carried out by filiform hairs, adding to aero-acoustic sensing and opening up the possibility of new emergent collective dynamics and information acquisition by distributed hair sensors.
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10
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Nasti R, Orlandini S, Furlanetto S, Casale M, Daci A, Hajdari A, Meneghetti F, Villa S, Mori M, Beretta G. An analytical investigation of hydroxylated cinnamoyl polyamines as biomarkers of commercial bee pollen botanical origin. Int J Food Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/ijfs.16142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rita Nasti
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy (ESP) University of Milan Via G. Celoria 2 20133 Milan Italy
| | - Serena Orlandini
- Department of Chemistry “U. Schiff” University of Florence Via U. Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino Florence Italy
| | - Sandra Furlanetto
- Department of Chemistry “U. Schiff” University of Florence Via U. Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino Florence Italy
| | - Monica Casale
- Department of Pharmacy University of Genova Viale Cembrano, 4 16148 Genova Italy
| | - Armond Daci
- Department of Pharmacy Faculty of Medicine University Hasan Prishtina Pristina Kosovo Albania
| | - Avni Hajdari
- Department of Biology Faculty of Mathematical and Natural Science University of Prishtina Mother Theresa St. 10000 Pristina Kosovo Albania
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Research, University of Prishtina Mother Teresa St. 10000 Pristina Kosovo Albania
| | - Fiorella Meneghetti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (DISFARM) University of Milan Via L. Mangiagalli 25 20133 Milan Italy
| | - Stefania Villa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (DISFARM) University of Milan Via L. Mangiagalli 25 20133 Milan Italy
| | - Matteo Mori
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (DISFARM) University of Milan Via L. Mangiagalli 25 20133 Milan Italy
| | - Giangiacomo Beretta
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy (ESP) University of Milan Via G. Celoria 2 20133 Milan Italy
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11
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Nasti R, Orlandini S, Furlanetto S, Casale M, Daci A, Hajdari A, Meneghetti F, Villa S, Mori M, Beretta G. An analytical investigation of hydroxylated cinnamoyl polyamines as biomarkers of commercial bee pollen botanical origin. Int J Food Sci Technol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/ijfs.16142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rita Nasti
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy (ESP) University of Milan Via G. Celoria 2 20133 Milan Italy
| | - Serena Orlandini
- Department of Chemistry “U. Schiff” University of Florence Via U. Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino Florence Italy
| | - Sandra Furlanetto
- Department of Chemistry “U. Schiff” University of Florence Via U. Schiff 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino Florence Italy
| | - Monica Casale
- Department of Pharmacy University of Genova Viale Cembrano, 4 16148 Genova Italy
| | - Armond Daci
- Department of Pharmacy Faculty of Medicine University Hasan Prishtina Pristina Kosovo Albania
| | - Avni Hajdari
- Department of Biology Faculty of Mathematical and Natural Science University of Prishtina Mother Theresa St. 10000 Pristina Kosovo Albania
- Institute of Biological and Environmental Research, University of Prishtina Mother Teresa St. 10000 Pristina Kosovo Albania
| | - Fiorella Meneghetti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (DISFARM) University of Milan Via L. Mangiagalli 25 20133 Milan Italy
| | - Stefania Villa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (DISFARM) University of Milan Via L. Mangiagalli 25 20133 Milan Italy
| | - Matteo Mori
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences (DISFARM) University of Milan Via L. Mangiagalli 25 20133 Milan Italy
| | - Giangiacomo Beretta
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy (ESP) University of Milan Via G. Celoria 2 20133 Milan Italy
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12
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Huth S, Schwarz LM, Gorb SN. Quantifying the Influence of Pollen Aging on the Adhesive Properties of Hypochaeris radicata Pollen. INSECTS 2022; 13:811. [PMID: 36135512 PMCID: PMC9501020 DOI: 10.3390/insects13090811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Although pollination is one of the most crucial biological processes that ensures plant reproduction, its mechanisms are poorly understood. Especially in insect-mediated pollination, a pollen undergoes several attachment and detachment cycles when being transferred from anther to insect and from insect to stigma. The influence of the properties of pollen, insect and floral surfaces on the adhesion forces that mediate pollen transfer have been poorly studied. Here, we investigate the adhesive properties of Hypochaeris radicata pollen and their dependence on pollen aging by quantifying the pull-off forces from glass slides using centrifugation and atomic force microscopy. We found that the properties of the pollenkitt-the viscous, lipid liquid on the surface of most pollen grains-influences the forces necessary to detach a pollen from hydrophilic surfaces. Our results show that aged H. radicata pollen form weaker adhesions to hydrophilic glass than fresh ones. On the other hand, when a pollen grain ages in contact with glass, the adhesion between the two surfaces increases over time. This study shows for the first time the pollen aging effect on the pollination mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Huth
- Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Lisa-Maricia Schwarz
- Grassland Ecology & Grassland Management, Department of Plant Nutrition, Institute of Crop Science and Resource Conservation (INRES), University of Bonn, Karlrobert-Kreiten-Str. 13, 53115 Bonn, Germany
- Biodiversity Research and Systematic Botany, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Maulbeerallee 1, 14469 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Stanislav N. Gorb
- Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 1-9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
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13
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Bai L, Liu L, Esquivel M, Tardy BL, Huan S, Niu X, Liu S, Yang G, Fan Y, Rojas OJ. Nanochitin: Chemistry, Structure, Assembly, and Applications. Chem Rev 2022; 122:11604-11674. [PMID: 35653785 PMCID: PMC9284562 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Chitin, a fascinating biopolymer found in living organisms, fulfills current demands of availability, sustainability, biocompatibility, biodegradability, functionality, and renewability. A feature of chitin is its ability to structure into hierarchical assemblies, spanning the nano- and macroscales, imparting toughness and resistance (chemical, biological, among others) to multicomponent materials as well as adding adaptability, tunability, and versatility. Retaining the inherent structural characteristics of chitin and its colloidal features in dispersed media has been central to its use, considering it as a building block for the construction of emerging materials. Top-down chitin designs have been reported and differentiate from the traditional molecular-level, bottom-up synthesis and assembly for material development. Such topics are the focus of this Review, which also covers the origins and biological characteristics of chitin and their influence on the morphological and physical-chemical properties. We discuss recent achievements in the isolation, deconstruction, and fractionation of chitin nanostructures of varying axial aspects (nanofibrils and nanorods) along with methods for their modification and assembly into functional materials. We highlight the role of nanochitin in its native architecture and as a component of materials subjected to multiscale interactions, leading to highly dynamic and functional structures. We introduce the most recent advances in the applications of nanochitin-derived materials and industrialization efforts, following green manufacturing principles. Finally, we offer a critical perspective about the adoption of nanochitin in the context of advanced, sustainable materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Bai
- Key
Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology (Ministry
of Education), Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, P.R. China
- Bioproducts
Institute, Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Department
of Chemistry, and Department of Wood Science, 2360 East Mall, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Liang Liu
- Jiangsu
Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest
Resources, Jiangsu Key Lab of Biomass-Based Green Fuel and Chemicals,
College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing
Forestry University, 159 Longpan Road, Nanjing 210037, P.R. China
| | - Marianelly Esquivel
- Polymer
Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, National University of Costa Rica, Heredia 3000, Costa Rica
| | - Blaise L. Tardy
- Department
of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
- Department
of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Siqi Huan
- Key
Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology (Ministry
of Education), Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, P.R. China
- Bioproducts
Institute, Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Department
of Chemistry, and Department of Wood Science, 2360 East Mall, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Xun Niu
- Bioproducts
Institute, Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Department
of Chemistry, and Department of Wood Science, 2360 East Mall, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Shouxin Liu
- Key
Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology (Ministry
of Education), Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, P.R. China
| | - Guihua Yang
- State
Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology, Shandong Academy of
Sciences, Jinan 250353, China
| | - Yimin Fan
- Jiangsu
Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest
Resources, Jiangsu Key Lab of Biomass-Based Green Fuel and Chemicals,
College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing
Forestry University, 159 Longpan Road, Nanjing 210037, P.R. China
| | - Orlando J. Rojas
- Bioproducts
Institute, Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, Department
of Chemistry, and Department of Wood Science, 2360 East Mall, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
- Department
of Bioproducts and Biosystems, School of Chemical Engineering, Aalto University, FI-00076 Aalto, Finland
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14
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Palmer RA, Chenchiah IV, Robert D. The mechanics and interactions of electrically sensitive mechanoreceptive hair arrays of arthropods. J R Soc Interface 2022; 19:20220053. [PMID: 35317646 PMCID: PMC8941402 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2022.0053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent investigations highlight the possibility of electroreception within arthropods through charged mechanosensory hairs. This discovery raises questions about the influence of electrostatic interaction between hairs and surrounding electrical fields within this sensory modality. Here, we investigate these questions by studying electrostatic coupling in arrays of hairs. We establish the notion of sensitivity contours that indicate regions within which point charges deflect hairs beyond a given threshold. We then examine how the contour’s shape and size and the overall hair behaviour change in response to variations in the coupling between hairs. This investigation unveils synergistic behaviours whereby the sensitivity of hairs is enhanced or inhibited by neighbouring hairs. The hair spacing and ratio of a system’s electrical parameters to its mechanical parameters influence this behaviour. Our results indicate that electrostatic interaction between hairs leads to emergent sensory properties for biologically relevant parameter values. The analysis raises new questions around the impact of electrostatic interaction on the current understanding of sensory hair processes, such as acoustic sensing, unveiling new sensory capabilities within electroreception such as amplification of hair sensitivity and location detection of charges in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan A Palmer
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK.,School of Mathematics, University of Bristol, Fry Building, Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 1UG, UK
| | - Isaac V Chenchiah
- School of Mathematics, University of Bristol, Fry Building, Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 1UG, UK
| | - Daniel Robert
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
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15
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Khan KA, Liu T. Morphological Structure and Distribution of Hairiness on Different Body Parts of Apis mellifera with an Implication on Pollination Biology and a Novel Method to Measure the Hair Length. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13020189. [PMID: 35206762 PMCID: PMC8874558 DOI: 10.3390/insects13020189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Bees play a very important role in pollination, especially western honey bees, which contribute upwards of billions of dollars concerning crop pollination. Hairiness plays an important role in pollination success by transporting pollen, and pollen intake, but there is a lack of detailed studies on the morphological mechanisms. The hairiness trait is barely discussed in pollinator trait analysis because of the lack of systematic techniques used to measure hairiness. This paper reports a novel method that is used to measure the hair length of different body parts of a western honey bee through a stereomicroscope equipped with live measurement module software. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to update the knowledge regarding the hair structure of a western honey bee. We explained different types of hairs, hair branches, and their distributions on different body parts, which are discussed in detail. A positive correlation was found between hair length and the number of branches on all body parts. Five types of branches were observed, and these branches vary with different body parts. Our study provides sufficient details about the hair morphology of the western honey bee and a new methodology for measuring hair length. This methodology will improve the knowledge about understanding the pollination efficiency of the western honey bee.
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16
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Palmer RA, Chenchiah IV, Robert D. Analysis of aerodynamic and electrostatic sensing in mechanoreceptor arthropod hairs. J Theor Biol 2021; 530:110871. [PMID: 34411607 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2021.110871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We study the mechanics of mechanoreceptor hairs in response to electro- and acousto-stimuli to expand the theory of tuning within filiform mechano-sensory systems and show the physical, biological and parametric feasibility of electroreception in comparison to aerodynamic sensing. We begin by analysing two well-known mechanosensory systems, the MeD1 spider trichobothria and the cricket cercal hair, offering a systematic appraisal of the physics of mechanosensory hair motion. Then we explore the biologically relevant parameter space of mechanoreceptor hairs by varying each oscillator parameter, thereby extending the theory to general arthropods. In doing so, we readily identify combinations of parameters for which a hair shows an enhanced or distinct response to either electric or aerodynamic stimuli. Overall, we find distinct behaviours in the two systems with novel insight provided through the parameter-space analysis. We show how the parameter space and balance of parameters therein of the resonant spider system are organised to produce a highly tuneable hair system through variation of hair length, whilst the broader parameter space of the non-resonant cricket system responds equally to a wider range of driving frequencies with increased capacity for high temporal resolution. From our analysis, we hypothesise the existence of two distinct types of mechanoreceptive system: the general system where hairs of all lengths are poised to detect both electro- and acousto- stimuli, and a stimuli-specific system where the sensitivity and specificity of the hairs to the different stimuli changes with length.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan A Palmer
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom; School of Mathematics, University of Bristol, Fry Building, Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 1UG, United Kingdom.
| | - Isaac V Chenchiah
- School of Mathematics, University of Bristol, Fry Building, Woodland Road, Bristol BS8 1UG, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Robert
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Life Sciences Building, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, United Kingdom
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17
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Candeias J, Schmidt-Weber CB, Buters J. Dosing intact birch pollen grains at the air-liquid interface (ALI) to the immortalized human bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259914. [PMID: 34784380 PMCID: PMC8594808 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
In real life, humans are exposed to whole pollen grains at the air epithelial barrier. We developed a system for in vitro dosing of whole pollen grains at the Air-Liquid Interface (ALI) and studied their effect on the immortalized human bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B. Pollen are sticky and large particles. Dosing pollen needs resuspension of single particles rather than clusters, and subsequent transportation to the cells with little loss to the walls of the instrumentation i.e. in a straight line. To avoid high speed impacting insults to cells we chose sedimentation by gravity as a delivery step. Pollen was resuspended into single particles by pressured air. A pollen dispersion unit including PTFE coating of the walls and reduced air pressure limited impaction loss to the walls. The loss of pollen to the system was still about 40%. A linear dose effect curve resulted in 327-2834 pollen/cm2 (± 6.1%), the latter concentration being calculated as the amount deposited on epithelial cells on high pollen days. After whole pollen exposure, the largest differential gene expression at the transcriptomic level was late, about 7 hours after exposure. Inflammatory and response to stimulus related genes were up-regulated. We developed a whole pollen exposure air-liquid interface system (Pollen-ALI), in which cells can be gently and reliably dosed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Candeias
- Center Allergy & Environment (ZAUM), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Technical University Munich, Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Carsten B. Schmidt-Weber
- Center Allergy & Environment (ZAUM), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Technical University Munich, Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jeroen Buters
- Center Allergy & Environment (ZAUM), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Technical University Munich, Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany
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18
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Matherne M, Dowell-Esquivel C, Howington O, Lenaghan O, Steinbach G, Yunker PJ, Hu DL. Biomechanics of pollen pellet removal by the honey bee. J R Soc Interface 2021; 18:20210549. [PMID: 34428943 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2021.0549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Honey bees (Apis mellifera) carry pollen back to their hive by mixing it with nectar and forming it into a pellet. The pellet must be firmly attached to their legs during flight, but also easily removable when deposited in the hive. How does the honey bee achieve these contrary aims? In this experimental study, we film honey bees removing pollen pellets and find they peel them off at speeds 2-10 times slower than their typical grooming speeds. Using a self-built pollen scraper, we find that slow removal speeds reduce the force and work required to remove the pellet under shear stress. Creep tests on individual pollen pellets revealed that pollen pellets are viscoelastic materials characterized by a Maxwell model with long relaxation times. The relaxation time enables the pellet to remain a solid during both transport and removal. We hope that this work inspires further research into viscoelastic materials in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marguerite Matherne
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | | | - Oliver Howington
- School of Biology, University of North Georgia, Oakwood, GA 30566, USA
| | - Olivia Lenaghan
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Gabi Steinbach
- School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Peter J Yunker
- School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - David L Hu
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA.,School of Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
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19
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Optimal pollen stickiness to pollinators for maximizing paternal fitness: Increased number of recipient flowers or increased pollen deposition on recipient flowers? J Theor Biol 2021; 524:110731. [PMID: 33915145 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2021.110731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
A plant can sire more seeds by increasing the number of pollen recipient flowers or the amount of pollen deposited on recipient flowers. We theoretically analyzed how pollen stickiness contributes to paternal fitness through changing the pattern of pollen dispersal including both the number of recipient flowers and overall pollen deposition (the overall amount of pollen deposited on recipient flowers) in animal-pollinated plants. We developed a numerical model in which pollen stickiness to pollinators increases with production of expensive materials on pollen surfaces, and a high level of stickiness diminishes the proportions of pollen lost from a pollinator body during a flight and pollen deposited on a stigma during a visit. We found that the number of recipient flowers monotonically increased with increasing pollen stickiness allocation while overall pollen deposition was maximized at a certain amount of stickiness allocation. We demonstrated that evolutionarily stable pollen stickiness attained many recipient flowers at the expense of overall pollen deposition in most cases while it merely favored maximization of overall pollen deposition in all other cases. Sticky pollen evolved if pollinators were highly likely to drop pollen during flights and did not diffuse well. In this situation, the evolutionarily stable pattern of pollen dispersal was acquisition of many pollen recipient flowers rather than maximization of overall pollen deposition. Sticky pollen also evolved if additional sticking elements were moderately effective in increasing the force of adhesion to pollinators. Pollen stickiness has a significant effect on the pattern of pollen dispersal via the extent of pollen carryover, and our results suggest that plants maximize paternal fitness by giving pollen the optimal stickiness, which varies with pollinating partners.
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20
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Migdał P, Murawska A, Bieńkowski P, Berbeć E, Roman A. Changes in Honeybee Behavior Parameters under the Influence of the E-Field at 50 Hz and Variable Intensity. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11020247. [PMID: 33498413 PMCID: PMC7909437 DOI: 10.3390/ani11020247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
EM-fields come from both natural and anthropogenic sources. This study aimed to investigate changes in honeybee behavior parameters under the influence of an electric field at 50 Hz and variable intensity. Bees were exposed for 1 h, 3 h, or 6 h to the following artificial E-field intensities: 5.0 kV/m, 11.5 kV/m, 23.0 kV/m, or 34.5 kV/m. Bees in the control group were under the influence of an E-field <2.0 kV/m. Six basic behaviors were selected for bee observation (walking, grooming, flight, stillness, contact between individuals, and wing movement). Our research shows the impact of bee exposure time on behavioral change within groups. Exposure for 3 h caused a decrease in the time that bees spent on behaviors and in the number of occurrences. After 6 h, the parameters increased within the groups, as was the case with 1 h exposure. This may indicate that there is a behavioral barrier that allows the pattern to normalize for some time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paweł Migdał
- Department of Environment Hygiene and Animal Welfare, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 25 C.K. Norwida St., 51-630 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.M.); (E.B.); (A.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-71-3205864
| | - Agnieszka Murawska
- Department of Environment Hygiene and Animal Welfare, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 25 C.K. Norwida St., 51-630 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.M.); (E.B.); (A.R.)
| | - Paweł Bieńkowski
- Telecommunications and Teleinformatics Department, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, 27 Wybrzeze, Wyspianskiego St., 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Ewelina Berbeć
- Department of Environment Hygiene and Animal Welfare, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 25 C.K. Norwida St., 51-630 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.M.); (E.B.); (A.R.)
| | - Adam Roman
- Department of Environment Hygiene and Animal Welfare, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 25 C.K. Norwida St., 51-630 Wroclaw, Poland; (A.M.); (E.B.); (A.R.)
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21
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Thimmegowda GG, Mullen S, Sottilare K, Sharma A, Mohanta R, Brockmann A, Dhandapany PS, Olsson SB. A field-based quantitative analysis of sublethal effects of air pollution on pollinators. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:20653-20661. [PMID: 32778582 PMCID: PMC7456092 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2009074117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
While the impact of air pollution on human health is well studied, mechanistic impacts of air pollution on wild systems, including those providing essential ecosystem services, are largely unknown, but directly impact our health and well-being. India is the world's largest fruit producer, second most populous country, and contains 9 of the world's 10 most polluted cities. Here, we sampled Giant Asian honey bees, Apis dorsata, at locations with varying air pollution levels in Bangalore, India. We observed significant correlations between increased respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) deposition and changes in bee survival, flower visitation, heart rate, hemocyte levels, and expression of genes related to lipid metabolism, stress, and immunity. Lab-reared Drosophila melanogaster exposed to these same sites also exhibited similar molecular and physiological differences. Our study offers a quantitative analysis on the current impacts of air pollution on insects, and indicates the urgency for more nonhuman studies to accurately assess the effects of pollution on our natural world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geetha G Thimmegowda
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, India 560065;
| | - Susan Mullen
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | | | - Ankit Sharma
- Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), Bangalore, India 560065
| | - Rishika Mohanta
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, India 560065
| | - Axel Brockmann
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, India 560065
| | - Perundurai S Dhandapany
- Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), Bangalore, India 560065
- The Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239
- Department of Medicine and Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239
| | - Shannon B Olsson
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, India 560065;
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22
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Abstract
Natural and artificial flower pollination are critical processes in the life cycle of flowering plants. Declines in the number of global pollinator insects, the heavy labor of conducting artificial pollination manually, and the rising cost of pollen grains are considered to be significant worldwide problems. Here we show that chemically functionalized soap bubbles exhibit effective and convenient delivery of pollen grains to the targeted flowers thanks to their stickiness, softness, high flexibility, and enhancement of pollen activity. By exploring the physicochemical properties of functional soap bubbles, we could prepare mechanically stabilized soap bubbles capable of withstanding the windmills produced by robotic pollination. An unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with a soap bubble maker was autonomously controlled to pollinate flowers. Such technology of automatic intelligent robotic pollination with functional soft materials would lead to innovative agricultural systems that can tackle the global issues of pollination. Developed soap bubbles exhibit various biological and physicochemical properties The soap bubbles allow effective flower pollination A flying robot equipped with a bubble maker can be used for autonomous pollination
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23
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Roquer‐Beni L, Rodrigo A, Arnan X, Klein A, Fornoff F, Boreux V, Bosch J. A novel method to measure hairiness in bees and other insect pollinators. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:2979-2990. [PMID: 32211170 PMCID: PMC7083657 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Hairiness is a salient trait of insect pollinators that has been linked to thermoregulation, pollen uptake and transportation, and pollination success. Despite its potential importance in pollination ecology, hairiness is rarely included in pollinator trait analyses. This is likely due to the lack of standardized and efficient methods to measure hairiness. We describe a novel methodology that uses a stereomicroscope equipped with a live measurement module software to quantitatively measure two components of hairiness: hair density and hair length. We took measures of the two hairiness components in 109 insect pollinator species (including 52 bee species). We analyzed the relationship between hair density and length and between these two components and body size. We combined hair density and length measures to calculate a hairiness index and tested whether hairiness differed between major pollinator groups and bee genera. Body size was strongly and positively correlated to hair length and weakly and negatively correlated to hair density. The correlation between the two hairiness components was weak and negative. According to our hairiness index, butterflies and moths were the hairiest pollinator group, followed by bees, hoverflies, beetles, and other flies. Among bees, bumblebees (Bombus) and mason bees (Osmia) were the hairiest taxa, followed by digger bees (Anthophorinae), sand bees (Andrena), and sweat bees (Halictini). Our methodology provides an effective and standardized measure of the two components of hairiness (hair density and length), thus allowing for a meaningful interpretation of hairiness. We provide a detailed protocol of our methodology, which we hope will contribute to improve our understanding of pollination effectiveness, thermal biology, and responses to climate change in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Roquer‐Beni
- CREAFUniversitat Autònoma de BarcelonaCerdanyola del VallèsCatalunyaSpain
| | - Anselm Rodrigo
- CREAFUniversitat Autònoma de BarcelonaCerdanyola del VallèsCatalunyaSpain
| | - Xavier Arnan
- CREAFUniversitat Autònoma de BarcelonaCerdanyola del VallèsCatalunyaSpain
| | | | - Felix Fornoff
- Nature Conservation and Landscape EcologyUniversity of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
| | - Virginie Boreux
- Nature Conservation and Landscape EcologyUniversity of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
| | - Jordi Bosch
- CREAFUniversitat Autònoma de BarcelonaCerdanyola del VallèsCatalunyaSpain
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24
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Lynn A, Piotter E, Harrison E, Galen C. Sexual and natural selection on pollen morphology in Taraxacum. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BOTANY 2020; 107:364-374. [PMID: 32052420 DOI: 10.1002/ajb2.1428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
PREMISE Spiny pollen has evolved independently in multiple entomophilous lineages. Sexual selection may act on exine traits that facilitate male mating success by influencing the transfer of pollen from the anther to the body of the pollinator, while natural selection acts to increase pollen survival. We postulated that relative to sexual congeners, apomictic dandelions undergo relaxed selection on traits associated with male mating success. METHODS We explored sexual selection on exine traits by measuring the propensity for Taraxacum spp. pollen to attach to hairs of flower-visiting bumblebees (Bombus spp.) or flies (Diptera: Syrphidae and Muscoidea) and assessed natural selection by testing whether pollen traits defend against consumption. RESULTS Pollen picked up by bumblebees exhibited a narrower subset of spine-spacing phenotypes, consistent with stabilizing selection. Flies picked up larger pollen from flowers than expected at random. Surveys of corbiculae (pollen basket) contents from foraging bumblebees and feces of flies showed that pollen grains consumed by both kinds of visitors are similar in spine characteristics and size to those produced by the donor. When bees visit inflorescences of apomictic T. officinale, they pick up pollen with spine-spacing phenotypes above the mean and shifted toward those of sexual T. ceratophorum. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate that traits under sexual selection during pollen pickup vary among pollinators, while natural selection for pollen defense is nil in T. ceratophorum. In hybrid zones between apomictic and sexual dandelions, pollen traits place apomictic donors at a dispersal disadvantage, potentially reinforcing reproductive isolation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin Lynn
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65202, USA
| | - Emelyn Piotter
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65202, USA
| | - Ellie Harrison
- Warner College of Natural Resources, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA
| | - Candace Galen
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65202, USA
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25
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Hooven LA, Chakrabarti P, Harper BJ, Sagili RR, Harper SL. Potential Risk to Pollinators from Nanotechnology-Based Pesticides. Molecules 2019; 24:E4458. [PMID: 31817417 PMCID: PMC6943562 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24244458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 11/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The decline in populations of insect pollinators is a global concern. While multiple factors are implicated, there is uncertainty surrounding the contribution of certain groups of pesticides to losses in wild and managed bees. Nanotechnology-based pesticides (NBPs) are formulations based on multiple particle sizes and types. By packaging active ingredients in engineered particles, NBPs offer many benefits and novel functions, but may also exhibit different properties in the environment when compared with older pesticide formulations. These new properties raise questions about the environmental disposition and fate of NBPs and their exposure to pollinators. Pollinators such as honey bees have evolved structural adaptations to collect pollen, but also inadvertently gather other types of environmental particles which may accumulate in hive materials. Knowledge of the interaction between pollinators, NBPs, and other types of particles is needed to better understand their exposure to pesticides, and essential for characterizing risk from diverse environmental contaminants. The present review discusses the properties, benefits and types of nanotechnology-based pesticides, the propensity of bees to collect such particles and potential impacts on bee pollinators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louisa A. Hooven
- Department of Horticulture, Oregon State University, 4017 Agriculture and Life Science Building, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA;
| | - Priyadarshini Chakrabarti
- Department of Horticulture, Oregon State University, 4017 Agriculture and Life Science Building, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA;
| | - Bryan J. Harper
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, 4017 Agriculture and Life Science Building, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA;
| | - Ramesh R. Sagili
- Department of Horticulture, Oregon State University, 4017 Agriculture and Life Science Building, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA;
| | - Stacey L. Harper
- School of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering, Oregon State University, 116 Johnson Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
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Ito S, Gorb SN. Fresh "Pollen Adhesive" Weakens Humidity-Dependent Pollen Adhesion. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:24691-24698. [PMID: 31184458 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b04817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
This study presents a quantitative investigation of pollen adhesion mediated by pollenkitt using pollen grains in their native state. Here, we attempt to clarify whether the exposure time, pollenkitt losses, and the surrounding humidity (relative humidity, RH) levels influence pollen adhesion. Pollen grains of Hypochaeris radicata (Asteraceae) were tested using atomic force microscopy. Regardless of the pollen condition (fresh, aged, and without pollenkitt), higher RH significantly increased pollen adhesion on hydrophilic surfaces, whereas it had little effect on pollen adhesion on hydrophobic surfaces. On hydrophilic surfaces, adhesion of fresh pollen was less dependent on RH than that of aged pollen or without pollenkitt, resulting in reduced adhesion under high RH. On hydrophobic surfaces, adhesion of fresh pollen was significantly lower than that of aged pollen. We utilized capillary models to explain the counterintuitive results obtained and came to the conclusion that the abundant fresh pollenkitt, which is widely accepted as pollen adhesive, can reduce pollen adhesion in some conditions. This study sheds light on the little-known adhesive properties of pollen and on the pollination mechanics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuto Ito
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics , University of Kiel , Am Botanischen Garten 9 , D-24118 Kiel , Germany
| | - Stanislav N Gorb
- Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics , University of Kiel , Am Botanischen Garten 9 , D-24118 Kiel , Germany
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Abstract
Biomimetic systems often exhibit striking designs well adapted to specific functions that have been inspiring the development of new technologies. Herein, we explored the remarkable ability of honey bees to catch and release large quantities of pollen grains. Hair spacing and height on bees are crucial for their ability to mechanically fix pollen grains. Inspired by this, we proposed the concept of a micropatterned surface for microparticle entrapment, featuring high-aspect-ratio elastic micropillars spaced to mimic the hairy surface of bees. The hypothesis was validated by investigating the ability of polydimethylsiloxane microfabricated patches to fix microparticles. The geometrical arrangement, spacing, height, and flexibility of the fabricated micropillars, and the diameter of the microparticles, were investigated. Higher entrapment capability was found through the match between particle size and pillar spacing, being consistent with the observations that the diameter of pollen grains is similar to the spacing between hairs on bees' legs. Taller pillars permitted immobilization of higher quantities of particles, consistent with the high aspect ratio of bees' hairs. Our biomimetic surfaces were explored for their ability to fix solid microparticles for drug-release applications, using tetracycline hydrochloride as a model antibiotic. These surfaces allowed fixation of more than 20 mg/cm2 of antibiotic, about five times higher dose than commercialized patches (5.1 mg/cm2). Such bioinspired hairy surfaces could find applications in a variety of fields where dry fixation of high quantities of micrometer-sized objects are needed, including biomedicine, agriculture, biotechnology/chemical industry, and cleaning utensils.
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A reel mechanism-based robotic colonoscope with high safety and maneuverability. Surg Endosc 2019; 33:322-332. [PMID: 30039341 DOI: 10.1007/s00464-018-6362-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND At present, the colonoscopy is the most common method of screening for colorectal cancer. However, endoscopists still encounter difficulties with intubation, primarily due to the structural diversity (e.g., path, shape, and size) and viscoelasticity of the colon. Therefore, well-trained, skillful operators are required to overcome these factors and operate colonoscopes without harming patients. OBJECTIVES In our previous work, we presented a reel mechanism-based robotic colonoscope designed to mitigate the difficulties of conventional colonoscopies. Although we reported excellent mobile performance with respect to the robot, we did not provide an in-depth discussion concerning patient safety. Therefore, in this article, we propose a method of improving robot safety, and this is verified by investigating the static and dynamic forces acting on the colon. In addition, the maneuverability and safety of the robot in the in vitro condition are evaluated. METHODS The safety solution is provided by covering the robot's legs with silicone. To evaluate the results, the reaction force according to leg deformation is measured. Then, the force transmitted to the colon is also measured when the robot moves through various environments. Finally, a mobility test on an excised porcine colon is performed to simultaneously verify the robot's maneuverability and safety. RESULTS We verify that the static and dynamic force acting on the colon is less than the burst force of a human colon. In addition, the maneuverability of the robotic colonoscope shows reliable locomotion performance even with the soft material covering the legs; it has forward velocities of 9.552 ± 1.940 mm/s on a flat path. CONCLUSION Owing to the reliable locomotion mechanism with the safety-securing silicone, the robot achieves high and reliable maneuverability without any scratches or perforations to the porcine colon.
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Amador GJ, Endlein T, Sitti M. Soiled adhesive pads shear clean by slipping: a robust self-cleaning mechanism in climbing beetles. J R Soc Interface 2018. [PMID: 28637914 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2017.0134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals using adhesive pads to climb smooth surfaces face the problem of keeping their pads clean and functional. Here, a self-cleaning mechanism is proposed whereby soiled feet would slip on the surface due to a lack of adhesion but shed particles in return. Our study offers an in situ quantification of self-cleaning performance in fibrillar adhesives, using the dock beetle as a model organism. After beetles soiled their pads by stepping into patches of spherical beads, we found that their gait was significantly affected. Specifically, soiled pads slipped 10 times further than clean pads, with more particles deposited for longer slips. Like previous studies, we found that particle size affected cleaning performance. Large (45 μm) beads were removed most effectively, followed by medium (10 μm) and small (1 μm). Consistent with our results from climbing beetles, force measurements on freshly severed legs revealed larger detachment forces of medium particles from adhesive pads compared to a flat surface, possibly due to interlocking between fibres. By contrast, dock leaves showed an overall larger affinity to the beads and thus reduced the need for cleaning. Self-cleaning through slippage provides a mechanism robust to particle size and may inspire solutions for artificial adhesives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo J Amador
- Department of Physical Intelligence, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Thomas Endlein
- Department of Physical Intelligence, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Metin Sitti
- Department of Physical Intelligence, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Stuttgart, Germany
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Insects as a piece of the puzzle to mitigate global problems: an opportunity for ecologists. Basic Appl Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2017.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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