title: Radiation inactivation of Paenibacillus larvae and sterilization of American Foul Brood (AFB) infected hives using Co-60 gamma rays.
abstract: The effectiveness of gamma radiation in inactivating the Philippine isolate of Paenibacillus larvae was investigated. Spores of P. larvae were irradiated at incremental doses (0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 and 1.6 kGy) of gamma radiation emitted by a ⁶⁰Co source. Surviving spores were counted and used to estimate the decimal reduction (D₁₀) value. A dose of 0.2 kGy was sufficient to inactivate 90% of the total recoverable spores from an initial count of 10⁵- 9 × 10³ spores per glass plate. The sterilizing effect of high doses of gamma radiation on the spores of P. larvae in infected hives was determined. In this study, a minimum dose (D(min)) of 15 kGy was tested. Beehives with sub-clinical infections of AFB were irradiated and examined for sterility. All the materials were found to be free of P. larvae indicating its susceptibility to γ-rays. After irradiation, there were no visible changes in the physical appearance of the hives' body, wax and frames. Thus, a dose of 15 kGy is effective enough for sterilization of AFB-infected materials.
authors.affiliation: Microbiological Research and Service Laboratory, Atomic Research Division, Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.
authors.forename: Zenaida M
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: De Guzman
authors.forename: Cleofas R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Cervancia
authors.forename: Kris Genelyn B
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Dimasuay
authors.forename: Mitos M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Tolentino
authors.forename: Gina B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Abrera
authors.forename: Ma Lucia C
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Cobar
authors.forename: Alejandro C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Fajardo
authors.forename: Noel G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Sabino
authors.forename: Analinda C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Manila-Fajardo
authors.forename: Chitho P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Feliciano
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees; D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005720:Gamma Rays; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D056507:Paenibacillus / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000528:radiation effects*
chemical_list: D003037:Cobalt Radioisotopes