Pesticide Residues in Honey from the Major Honey Producing Forest Belts in Ghana.

Godfred Darko,Michael Kodwo Adjaloo,Jonah Addai Tabi,Lawrence Sheringham Borquaye

doi:10.1155/2017/7957431

Abstract

Concentrations of pesticides residues in honey sampled from the major honey producing forest belts in Ghana were determined. Samples were purposively collected and extracted using the QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) method and analysed for synthetic pyrethroids, organochlorine, and organophosphate pesticide residues. Aldrin, γ-HCH, β-HCH, ∑endosulfan, cyfluthrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, permethrin methoxychlor, ∑DDT, chlorpyrifos, fenvalerate, malathion, dimethoate, and diazinon were all detected at the concentration of 0.01 mg/kg, while cyfluthrin and permethrin were detected at mean concentrations of 0.02 and 0.04 mg/kg, respectively. All the pesticide residues detected were very low and below their respective maximum residue limits set by the European Union. Hence, pesticide residues in honey samples analyzed do not pose any health risk to consumers.

Highlights

Honey, the sweet and viscid fluid, which is produced by honeybees from the nectar of flowers, contains significant amounts of mineral matter, vitamins, and enzymes [1]
Honey samples were purposively collected from the major honey producing forest belts in Ashanti, Brong-Ahafo, and Western Regions of Ghana (Figure 1)
All the sites are located in agricultural farmlands where various pesticides are applied continuously to either control insects or weeds

Summary

Introduction

The sweet and viscid fluid, which is produced by honeybees from the nectar of flowers, contains significant amounts of mineral matter, vitamins, and enzymes [1]. Honey is mainly fructose (about 38.5%) and glucose (about 31.0%) [2] and is known to be a healthier nutritional choice than sugar [3, 4]. The specific composition of any batch of honey and contaminants present is dependent on the crops from which the nectar was sourced and the surroundings of the beehive. Honey is widely used for both nutritional and medicinal purposes and it is known to have therapeutic actions against infections, wounds, and cancers [5]. It has been used to treat cough and sore throat, ulcer, earache, measles, and eye diseases [6]. It is consumed, worldwide, as food or medicine. Honey is used in cosmetics and as a natural sweetener in food manufacturing

Methods

Results

Conclusion