Colombian scientists develop supplement to protect bees from pesticides

December 12, 2025 – 10:19 AM

Students work inside the apiary of the Universidad del Rosario collecting bees raised for the research of the formula to protect the brain of bees and other pollinators affected by exposure to insecticides, which was patented in Britain under the leadership of researchers from the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the Universidad del Rosario, in alliance with the Department of Neuroscience of the University of Arizona, U.S., and with the participation of the Universidad Javeriana, in Bogota, Colombia October 17, 2024. (Reuters/Luisa Gonzalez)

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Scientists in Colombia say they have developed a novel food supplement that protects bees’ brains from pesticides, keeping the insects safe from neurological damage caused by agricultural chemicals.

Bees, as pollinators, are considered essential for the preservation of natural ecosystems and food production.

The plant-based supplement developed at Colombia’s private Rosario University in Bogota, in partnership with the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Arizona and Colombian Universidad Javeriana, allows bees to cope with neurotoxins commonly used in agriculture and avoid having their motor system and memory harmed by the chemicals.

“This is a nutritional solution to the problem bees face when exposed to pesticides,” said Andre Riveros, associate professor at Rosario University. “The food induces them to develop a protection (against pesticides)”.

The formula is created with flavonoids, plant-derived secondary metabolites known for their health benefits.

Sedated and then confined to small laboratory tubes, bees were fed one-by-one by scientists during initial development of the supplement.

“We already know that there are molecules that improve the bees’ health, we already know that there are molecules that prevent neuronal damage caused by pesticides”, Ovalle explained, adding it was important to continue the work to boost the effectiveness of these methods in supporting bees.

—Reporting by Camilo Cohecha; Writing by Aida Pelaez-Fernandez; Editing by Sandra Maler