Environmental contaminants of honeybee products in Uganda detected using LC-MS/MS and GC-ECD.

Deborah Ruth Amulen,Andrew Tamale,Pieter Spanoghe,Paul Cross,Guy Smagghe,Michael Houbraken,Dirk C De Graaf,Gadi V.P Reddy

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0178546

Deborah Ruth Amulen, Andrew Tamale + Show 6 more

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0178546

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Journal: PloS one	Publication Date: Jun 1, 2017
Citations: 33	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Ghent University, Makerere University, Bangor University

Abstract

Pollinator services and the development of beekeeping as a poverty alleviating tool have gained considerable focus in recent years in sub-Saharan Africa. An improved understanding of the pervasive environmental extent of agro-chemical contaminants is critical to the success of beekeeping development and the production of clean hive products. This study developed and validated a multi-residue method for screening 36 pesticides in honeybees, honey and beeswax using LC-MS/MS and GC-ECD. Of the 36 screened pesticides, 20 were detected. The highest frequencies occurred in beeswax and in samples from apiaries located in the proximity of citrus and tobacco farms. Fungicides were the most prevalent chemical class. Detected insecticides included neonicotinoids, organophosphates, carbamates, organophosphorus, tetrazines and diacylhydrazines. All detected pesticide levels were below maximum residue limits (according to EU regulations) and the lethal doses known for honeybees. However, future risk assessment is needed to determine the health effects on the African genotype of honeybees by these pesticide classes and combinations of these. In conclusion, our data present a significant challenge to the burgeoning organic honey sector in Uganda, but to achieve this, there is an urgent need to regulate the contact routes of pesticides into the beehive products. Interestingly, the “zero” detection rate of pesticides in the Mid-Northern zone is a significant indicator of the large potential to promote Ugandan organic honey for the export market.

Highlights

Agricultural production in African developing countries is expected to become increasingly reliant on pollinator services [1]
The limit of quantification (LOQ) for the LC-MS/MS ranged between 0.028 μg/kg and 0.094 μg/kg, while for GC-ECD the LOQ ranged between 0.200 μg/ kg and 0.696 μg/kg
This study developed a validated multi-residue method for pesticides/agrochemicals detection in honeybee hive products, using GC-ECD and LC-MSMS which simultaneously controlled for 36 pesticides

Summary

Introduction

Agricultural production in African developing countries is expected to become increasingly reliant on pollinator services [1]. Agro-chemicals in honeybee products from Uganda journal and this does not alter the authors’ adherence to all PLoS ONE Policies on sharing data and materials. Recent studies documented on the exposure routes of agrochemicals on honeybee pollination services [4] with residues in nectar and pollen [5], surface water [6], floral secretions and plant exudates [7]. Honeybees store these products in the hive leading to exposure of brood, wax and honey to agrochemicals if present [8]. Multiple exposure routes to agrochemicals and their impact on colony health have been repeatedly shown to present synergistic interactions of chemicals and increased exposure of honeybees to other important stressors such as ectoparasitic mites (e.g. Varroa destructor), pathogens (e.g. Nosema) and food shortages [9,10,11]

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