Chalkbrood is one of the most common and widely recognised fungal diseases that affects honeybee brood, the causative agent of which is Ascosphaera apis. Currently, there are no approved treatments for the management of Chalkbrood infection. Anecdotal evidence from beekeepers suggests that use of HiveAlive may cause a reduction in Chalkbrood infection.
A number of in-vitro tests were carried out to assess this hypothesis including agar dilution assays and 96 well plate microdilution assays. A concentration of 0.25% inhibited the growth and sporulation of A. apis on agar plates. Results from the 96 well microdilution assays suggest that even lower concentrations may be effective at inhibiting growth. Further research is required to examine effects in a hive setting.
