Abstract
BackgroundHoney contains a complex mixture of carbohydrates and other minor substances. Elements are minor constituents of honey that may threaten the human health in excess concentrations. So, determining the metals in honey helps its quality control as a food product. The aim of this study was to determine the concentrations of some metals in Iranian honey.MethodsThis study was performed in four regions of Ardabil, a province of Iran. Honey samples (n = 25) were digested in microwave oven by nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide, then analyzed using inductively coupled plasma– optic emission spectrophotometry (ICP-OES).ResultsNo significant differences were observed in cadmium, zinc, nickel, and chromium levels between regions (P > 0.05). Zinc was the most abundant metal in honey samples (1481.64 μg/kg). Some metals had higher concentrations in the East region because of existence more industries there. The highest mean of lead level was 935.48 μg/kg in the East and the lowest was 205.4 μg/kg in the South region. The concentrations of metals were compared with recommended limits for foods. Some of them were higher than standard levels (lead) and some were lower than those (cadmium).ConclusionsMetals are released into the environment through their use in industrial processes and enter the food chain from uptake by plants from contaminated soil or water. Metals concentration in various places depends on many variables, leading to their different concentrations in honey. Some control measures like the quality control of food products, monitoring the soil in agricultural regions and limiting the use of fertilizers are recommended.
Highlights
Honey contains a complex mixture of carbohydrates and other minor substances
As regards honey is mainly contains mineral trace elements, such as calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, and other minerals, in this study it was considered by applying the blank samples to obtain the accurate data
Blank honey samples are identified by the absence of compounds of interest, with prior injection into the detection system
Summary
Honey contains a complex mixture of carbohydrates and other minor substances. Elements are minor constituents of honey that may threaten the human health in excess concentrations. Honey, produced by the honeybee, is a natural supersaturated sugar solution, which has been consumed as a high nutritive value food and is composed of a complex mixture of carbohydrates [1]. This natural product is so valuable as the only concentrated form of sugar available worldwide [2] and is used as a food preservative. It contains the certain minor constituents like enzymes (glucose oxidase, catalase, phosphatases), glucose and sucrose (65–75% of total soluble solids), proteins, amino and organic acids, vitamins, lipids, volatile chemicals, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and minerals [3,4]. Metal concentrations in different honey types depend largely on the elemental composition of flowers, with regard to their
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