Element content in ten Croatian honey types from different geographical regions during three seasons

Abstract

Concentrations of 20 elements were measured in ten honey types collected from four main geographical regions of Croatia during three beekeeping seasons. The four regions differ by their geography, ecology and climate. Significant differences in the element concentrations between honeys of different botanical origin were found for Al, Ba, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Pb and Zn (p<0.05). The highest mean concentrations of elements were found in honeys: floral Cd, Cr; acacia Mo; honeydew Al, Cu, K, Ni; chestnut Ba, Ca, Mn, Na; forest Fe, Mg; sunflower Cu; linden Pb, Co; sage Se; lacy phacelia Zn. Differences in the element content of honeys originating from the same region collected in different seasons was found for the honeys: floral Al, Ca, K, Zn; acacia Ba, Ca, Cu, Mg, Mn, Na, Zn; honeydew Cu, K, Mn, Pb; chestnut Al, Ba, Cu, K, Mn, Na, Pb; sunflower Cu; linden Ba, Ca, Mn. Also, regional differences in the element content of honeys collected within the same season was found for: floral Al, Ca, K, Mg; acacia Ca, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Zn; honeydew Cu, K, Mn, Pb; sage Ba, Ca, K, Mg, Mn; chestnut Ba.