Study of toxic elements in propolis

Abstract

There is a threat of heavy metals and toxic elements entering the beekeeping products in relation to the deterioration of the ecological situation. In this regard, a study of one of the most popular beekeeping products, propolis, from the territory of two regions of Russia (Ryazan Oblast and Krasnodar Krai) for the level of Pb, Cd, Sr and the toxic element As was undertaken. The studies were made from 2004 to 2019. The amount of elements was determined spectrophotometrically with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer Spectr AA 220FS. Lead, cadmium and strontium levels were determined using an air-acetylene flame on a gas atomizer. The level of arsenic was determined on a graphite oven of a spectrophotometer using a palladium modifier made by “Mersk”. The lead level in propolis was from 0 to 0.19 mg/kg that exceeds the threshold limit value by a factor of 1.2-12.3. The concentration of cadmium, strontium, arsenic in the studied propolis samples does not exceed the threshold limit value: 0-0.164 mg/kg, 2.1-21.01 mg/kg, 0-1.04 μm/kg, respectively. The accumulated experimental data indicate the need to adjust the threshold limit value (SanPiN 2.3.2. 1078-01) of lead level in propolis. The dynamics of propolis pollution with toxic elements was evaluated in the course of the research. The results of this evaluation confirmed the possibility of using propolis as a bioindicator of environmental pollution with heavy metals and toxic elements. It is necessary to monitor the propolis safety to determine its level of contamination with heavy metals and toxic elements, when using it as a source of biologically active compounds and as a raw material for Pharmacy (making extracts, tablets, ointments, syrups, suppositories, plasters).