Research

There have been reports of global decline in managed honey bees and wild bees around the world. The rapid dying of honey bee colonies was named “colony collapse disorder” (CCD) and has been linked to different factors. One of the factors are novel insecticides named neonicotinoids. The acute toxity and adverse effects on bees is not only limited to the parent compound, but their (intermediate) metabolites have been shown to be toxic as well. So far, partial metabolic pathways in honey bees were described for only three out of seven neonicotinoids in use. For the remaining four neonicotinoids the metabolism by honey bees is still unclear. The overall objective of this study is to elucidate the metabolism of orally administered neonicotinoids in honey bees. The specific objectives are to determine known and unknown neonicotinoid biotransformation products and their kinetics. The study will be divided into four phases. In phase I, neonicotinoids will be administered at two locations to groups of caged honey bees with a feeding solution containing a mixture of unlabeled and 13C-labeled neonicotinoids with doses up to LD50 and sampling at 8 time points. Next, the targeted compounds will be extracted with organic solvents. For untargeted analysis, an isotope assisted approach will be used with direct analysis of the extracts as to avoid loss of putative biotransformation products (Phase II). Data will be evaluated with the aid of comprehensive databases. Unknown neonicotinoid

SONIA-ProQ makes it possible to make soy value chains in Austria more resilient and sustainable. Through the further development of special applications based on near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), fundamental contributions are being made to develop and improve the use of sensors and real-time process control in the processing of soybeans into animal feed. An integrated feeding trial with fattening pigs supports the quantification of the potential. In addition, a special soybean training course is being set up, which will also lead to quality improvements at the processing and feeding level. The basis for this work is the exchange of experience and knowledge between the 9 project partners and 7 organizations in the Expert Council. Together, they form a soy network that has never before come together in this form in an R&D project in Austria. SONIA-ProQ addresses the SDGs (zero hunger; quality education and sustainable consumption and production) and makes an important contribution to the Austrian protein strategy. The results of the project enable the consortium partners to position themselves more strongly in the growing soy market in the long term and also address the interests of consumers with regard to GMO-free, regionality and organic farming.