Micro-CT imaging of denatured chitin by silver to explore honey bee and insect pathologies.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Chitin and cuticle coatings are important to the environmental and immune defense of honey bees and insect pollinators. Pesticides or environmental effects may target the biochemistry of insect chitin and cuticle coating. Denaturing of chitin involves a combination of deacetylation, intercalation, oxidation, Schweiger-peeling, and the formation of amine hydrochloride salt. The term "denatured chitin" calls attention to structural and property changes to the internal membranes and external carapace of organisms so that some properties affecting biological activities are diminished.

Methodology/principal findings

A case study was performed on honey bees using silver staining and microscopic computer-tomographic x-ray radiography (micro-CT). Silver nitrate formed cou

SUBMITTER: Butzloff PR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3217983 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature