X-Message-Number: 15213
Date: Sat, 30 Dec 2000 10:46:31 -0800 (PST)
From: Doug Skrecky <>
Subject: 33'rd update on fly longevity experiments

     This is the 33'rd update on my fly longevity experiments. In 
 Run #33 I look at a variety of Stash herbal teas. No strong effects 
 were detected this time on average survival, though some increases in
 maximum lifespan seemed to occur.

 Run #33                   Percent Survival on Day
 supplement 11 20 24 27 31 34 39 42 45 49 52 55 58 61 66 70 74 79 83
 ___________________________________________________________________
 control    85 85 85 85 70 70 50 40 35 30 15  5  5  5  0  -  -  -  -
 apple      80 80 76 76 64 56 52 48 48 36 24 24 16 16  8  4  4  0  -
 chamomile  82 82 76 76 65 71 59 47 41 29 29 29 24 12  6  0  -  -  -
 licorice   94 75 81 81 56 56 56 50 38 38 38 31 19 13  6  6  0  -  -
 lemon      89 89 89 89 83 67 67 56 28 28 28 22 17 11 11 11  6  6  6
 peppermint 95 68 63 58 42 42 37 32 16 16 11 11  5  5  0  -  -  -  -
 ruby mist  84 84 79 68 68 68 68 68 47 42 26 26 26 21 21 16  5  0  -
 sandman    94100 94 78 78 67 50 50 44 44 39 39 33 33 22 17 17  6  6

     In Freezer Run #5, I try testing polyethylene glycol again. This 
 time the flies were transfered from the PEG bottles to bottles
 containing ordinary fly food immediately before storage in my freezer.
 The good news is that this time no flies drowned because of fluid
 released from frozen/thawed fly food. The bad news is that none of 
 flies survived 90 minutes of storage in my freezer.

 Three conclusions:
 #1: 90 minutes is too long a storage period.                     
 #2: Feeding flies cryoprotectants looks to be useless.
 #3: PEG being generally recognized as safe is balony.

 Freezer Run #5  Percent Survival After
 supplement          0 90 minutes
 ________________________________
 pycnogenol 300 mg  96  0
 + PEG 200 14%      62  0
 + PEG 200 40%      17  0

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