Honeybee as a biosensor: detection of a medicinal plant andrographis paniculata

Abstract

The detection of the medicinal plant, Andrographis paniculata (AP) has been carried out through the proboscis extension reflex of honeybees. The technique employed for the training of honeybees is the classical Pavlovian conditioning. The honey bees were exposed to the scents of the leaves of AP, with sugar solution as a reward for it. It was observed that honeybees responded well to the odors of AP. It was noticed that honeybees were able to memorize the odor(s) for a noticeable period of time which is evident by the repeated experiments carried out in the next day. This study suggests that honeybees have the capability to detect and differentiate the natural plants also upon their training. The proposed study is useful in identifying the plant material adulteration in ayurvedic medicinal industries.