62'nd update on fly longevity experiments

From: Doug Skrecky (oberon@vcn.bc.ca)
Date: Fri Jul 12 2002 - 09:15:09 MDT


    This is the 62'nd update of my fly longevity experiments. Average
temperature was 22.2 C during this run. Citric acid is a standard additive
to all runs, since it helps to inhibit mold, prevents color changes in the
fly food (keeping it 'fresh'), and increases fly longevity. In this run I
look at the interaction between citric acid and supplements with antiviral
activity.
    The mold inhibiting effect of citric acid proved its worth again.
Although standard 4-24 fly food contains a mold inhibitor, I have found
this not to be fully effective. Mold appeared in the citric-acid-free
soy/rice protein bottle, and increased mortality possibly by "drowning"
some of the flies.
     Freeze concentrated Knudsen Elderberry juice increased survival
compared to the acid free control bottle, but not significantly in
comparison to citric acid by itself. I suspect, possibly due to the
relatively low ambient temperature, that virus infections might not have
increased mortality very much in this run.
    Once again adding 2 teaspoons of dry protein without additional water
decreased maximum longevity, probably by dehydration stress.

Run #62 Percent Survival on Day
supplement 15 20 29 36 41 46 51 61 67 72 80 87 93
________________________________________________________________
control 93 93 86 79 79 64 50 21 14 7 0 - -
elderberry FC 92 92 92 92 92 85 77 62 38 31 31 15 0
soy/rice protein 2 tsp 100* 89 50 33 22 22 11 6 6 6 0 - -
elderberry FC & soy/rice 93 93 93 93 93 80 80 67 40 13 13 0 -
citric acid 1/4 tsp 100 100 86 86 86 86 71 71 50 14 7 0 -
 + elderberry FC 93 93 93 87 87 87 87 67 47 27 13 0 -
 + soy/rice 2 tsp 93 93 93 93 93 87 67 27 7 0 - - -
 + elderberry & soy/rice 91 91 82 82 82 82 64 55 36 0 - - -

*Mold appeared in the citric acid free soy/rice bottle.



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