Abstract
Determining the levels of heavy metals in honey is a measure to control its quality. The objective of this study was to determine the contents of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in honey of stingless bee. The differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) was used to determine the trace elements in honey samples. Pb was detected in 100% of the samples, Cu and Zn in 98.15%, and Cd only in 33.33%. The trace elements analyzed detected in the samples remained within tolerable levels in foods for human consumption.
Highlights
There is a growing concern with food-related risks to human health caused by toxic contaminants
Trace elements in the atmosphere can deposit on the body hair of bees and they are transported to the colonies with pollen or they can still be absorbed with the flower nectar or transported by water or honeydew [7]
The trace elements identified in the samples remained within the acceptable levels in foods for human consumption according to the Brazilian legislation (Table 2)
Summary
There is a growing concern with food-related risks to human health caused by toxic contaminants. Many heavy metals have cumulative properties [2] that are worrisome for children, as children can ingest relatively higher amounts of metals than adults, considering the ratio amount/body weight [3]. Heavy metals such as Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr, Mn, Hg and Zn are the most studied due to their effects on human health [4]. Cd, Co, Cu, Pb, Sr, and Zn are the main trace elements that contaminate bee honey [5]. Trace elements in the atmosphere can deposit on the body hair of bees and they are transported to the colonies with pollen or they can still be absorbed with the flower nectar or transported by water or honeydew [7]
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