The Individual and Combined Effects of beta-Hydroxy beta-methylbutyric acid and Glucuronolactone on Mortality Rate of Drosophila

School Name

Spring Valley High School

Grade Level

11th Grade

Presentation Topic

Zoology

Presentation Type

Non-Mentored

Abstract

As the industry of bodybuilding and, in turn, supplements, grows, the inherent risk taken when using said supplements is also more relevant. Glucuronolactone is lacking in research compared to other supplements. HMB is a naturally occurring substance used as a dietary supplement. Glucuronolactone is also a naturally occurring substance, and it is commonly used in energy drinks, a prime example being Red Bull. The purpose of this study is to determine how individual and combined treatments of beta-Hydroxy beta-methylbutyric acid (HMB) and glucuronolactone impact mortality rate of Drosophila. It was hypothesized that HMB would decrease mortality rate because it is used to decrease muscle aging and glucuronolactone would increase mortality rate because Red Bull, which contains glucuronolactone, comprises side effects such as increased heart rate and higher blood pressure. Combined treatment was hypothesized to increase mortality rate. Four vials of thirty Drosophila were delivered by Carolina Biological and then shifted into four different vials with blue Drosophila medium mixed with water and yeast already inside as a food source. This medium also included the treatment used for the specific group of Drosophila, including a control vial, a vial with HMB, a vial with glucuronolactone, and a vial containing both HMB and glucuronolactone. Major findings were inconclusive in that they did not support the hypothesis. The null hypothesis was rejected after the p < .05 found when conducting a 2-way ANOVA test. Major conclusions were that glucuronolactone did not impact mortality rate, HMB decreased motality rate, and combined treatment did not.

Location

ECL 205A

Start Date

3-25-2023 9:30 AM

Presentation Format

Oral and Written

Group Project

No

COinS
 
Mar 25th, 9:30 AM

The Individual and Combined Effects of beta-Hydroxy beta-methylbutyric acid and Glucuronolactone on Mortality Rate of Drosophila

ECL 205A

As the industry of bodybuilding and, in turn, supplements, grows, the inherent risk taken when using said supplements is also more relevant. Glucuronolactone is lacking in research compared to other supplements. HMB is a naturally occurring substance used as a dietary supplement. Glucuronolactone is also a naturally occurring substance, and it is commonly used in energy drinks, a prime example being Red Bull. The purpose of this study is to determine how individual and combined treatments of beta-Hydroxy beta-methylbutyric acid (HMB) and glucuronolactone impact mortality rate of Drosophila. It was hypothesized that HMB would decrease mortality rate because it is used to decrease muscle aging and glucuronolactone would increase mortality rate because Red Bull, which contains glucuronolactone, comprises side effects such as increased heart rate and higher blood pressure. Combined treatment was hypothesized to increase mortality rate. Four vials of thirty Drosophila were delivered by Carolina Biological and then shifted into four different vials with blue Drosophila medium mixed with water and yeast already inside as a food source. This medium also included the treatment used for the specific group of Drosophila, including a control vial, a vial with HMB, a vial with glucuronolactone, and a vial containing both HMB and glucuronolactone. Major findings were inconclusive in that they did not support the hypothesis. The null hypothesis was rejected after the p < .05 found when conducting a 2-way ANOVA test. Major conclusions were that glucuronolactone did not impact mortality rate, HMB decreased motality rate, and combined treatment did not.