Metals In Honey Research Articles

Analysis of Selected Pesticide Residues and Heavy Metals in Honey Obtained from Plateau State, Nigeria

Honey bees derive their nutrients from nectars and other plant materials. These naturally available materials are affected by the residual presence of pesticides. The concentration of pesticides in honey comb then reflects the leftover after degradation. In this study, samples of honey were collected from five different farms in Plateau State and analyzed for pesticide residues (atrazine, cypermethrin) and heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Fe and Mn) using GC-MS and AAS techniques. Results of the analysis indicated that atrazine and cypermethrin were found in the range (0.01 - 0.36 and 0.11 - 0.26) mg/kg, respectively in all the samples. Mn and Fe were found across the samples while Cd was detected only in the sample obtained from Maraban Jos (0.0013 mg/kg). Except Bokkos and Maraban Jos, Pb was detected in other samples. This study revealed that all samples contained the selected pesticide residues above the maximum residue limits recommended by European Union, while concentration of heavy metals in all the samples except Mn was below the maximum concentration limits recommended by Food and Agriculture Organization. The high concentration of pesticide residues in the samples indicates contaminated environment in which the bees fed; therefore intermittent monitoring of the quality of honeys produced would be necessary as this calls for urgent attention.

Application of a new functionalized magnetic graphane oxide for aluminum determination at trace levels in honey samples by the zetasizer system

Heavy metals in honey are of interest not only for quality control, but also as an environmental indicator. In the present work, we developed a new selective and rapid magnetic dispersive solid-phase extraction (MDSPE) method for the separation/determination of Al(III) in honey samples by the zetasizer system. The synthesis of a new nanocomposite comprised of aminosilanized magnetic graphane oxide (GO/Fe3O4/APS)-coated 2‑hydroxy‑5-methyl-1,3-benzene-dicarboxaldehyde (HB) (GO/Fe3O4/APS@HB) is synthesized and characterized in for the first time the present work. The parameters influential on the determination of Al(III) including the pH of the sample, sorption time, amount of nanocomposite, eluent type, concentration, volume, and elution time, were investigated and optimized. These magnetic nanocomposites carrying Al(III) could be easily separated from honey samples simply by applying an external magnetic field; no filtration/centrifugation was necessary. Moreover, GO/Fe3O4/APS@HB demonstrates selectivity toward Al(III). Under the optimum conditions, the detection limits (DL) of the method for Al(III) was found to be (3 s) 0.13 μg L−1, the preconcentration factor was calculated as 65, and the relative standard deviation was obtained as ⩽2% for n = 11. The method was performed for the determination of Al(III) in some honey samples. The proposed techniques show satisfactory sensitivity, selectivity, detection limits and standard deviation for Al(III) determination in a honey sample. The method is suitable for the analysis of honey samples, which are challenging to analyze using other spectroscopy techniques.

Determination of some heavy metals in honey from different regions of Ethiopia

Honey is an important bee product of greater nutritional value. Ethiopia is one of the main producers of it. Honey is known to accumulate trace metals which are essential as well as toxic. Moreover...

Probabilistic health risk assessment of heavy metals in honey, Manihot esculenta, and Vernonia amygdalina consumed in Enugu State, Nigeria.

Honey is a nutritive fluid product of bees with an array of pharmacological/medicinal effects. As a natural product from honeybees, honey is regarded to be safe and free from any contaminants. Cassava tuber (Manihot esculenta)-based meal, Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf soup), and honey are common local cuisine in Nigeria. This is a human health risk assessment of heavy metals associated with the consumption of honey (Apis mellifera scutellata), cassava (Manihot esculenta), and bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) in Enugu State, Nigeria. Concentrations of lead (Pb), Cd, As, Cu, Ni, Mn, Fe, Cr, and Fe in honey, soil, Manihot esculenta, and Vernonia amygdalina were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The principal component analysis (PCA) was performed as a factor reduction technique among 12 factors (3 locations against 4 sources of heavy metals). The mean concentration of metals in honey, soil, Manihot esculenta, and Vernonia amygdalina ranged from 0.001 to 4.28 mg kg-1, from 0.0026 to 170.52 mg kg-1, from 0.012 to 80.63 mg kg-1, and from 0.0016 to 126.48 mg kg-1, respectively. Pb showed the highest carcinogenic risk with values of 3.18E-04-1.43E-01 in Vernonia amygdalina and 1.69E-04-3.47E-04 in Manihot esculenta for adults and children, respectively. In honey, Cd showed the highest carcinogenic risk with values of 1.26E-02-1.07E-01. About 51.5% of total cancer risk (TCR) was below 1E-04. Consumption of honey, Vernonia amygdalina, and Manihot esculenta in some urban parts of Enugu may pose some adverse health effects.

Monitoring of some trace metals in honeys by flame atomic absorption spectrometry after ultrasound assisted-dispersive liquid liquid microextraction using natural deep eutectic solvent

In the present study, a simple, low-cost and green ultrasound assisted- dispersive liquid liquid microextraction (UA-DLLME) procedure was developed for monitoring of trace copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in honey prior to their analysis by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The method is based on ion-pair formation between anionic citrate chelates of each analyte and triphenylmethane group dicationic dye, Methyl green (MeG2+) at pH 5.5, and then extraction of the formed complexes into micro-drops of extraction solvent. Natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) as extraction solvent was easily synthesized by mixing citric acid-sucrose at mole ratio of 3:2, and used in extraction process. Some parameters affecting extraction efficiency were studied and optimized in detail. Under the optimum conditions, good linear working ranges (0.9–1050 μg kg−1 for Cu, 1.5–675 μg kg−1 for Cd, and 3–1200 μg kg−1 for Pb) was obtained when considered 0.5 g of sample and 1.5 mL of the pre-treated sample solution after dilution of 5-fold for Cd and 25-fold for Cu and Pb, and the limits of detection and quantification were in the range of 0.23–0.87 and 0.78–2.94 μg kg−1 for the analytes, respectively. From analysis results, it was observed that the accuracy (as recovery %), and intra-day/inter-day precision (as relative standard deviation%) were in the range of 90.3–98.4% and 2.0–5.2%, respectively. The method was statistically validated by analysis of a certified reference material. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of low levels of Cu, Cd and Pb in selected honey samples.

Toxic Metals and Trace Elements in Artisanal Honeys from the Canary Islands.

Honey is a natural product made by honey bees from the nectar of flowers or secretions produced by other living plant parts. The metal content of the honeys is related to the levels of metals in the environment. Due to the importance of honey in the human diet and the increase of environmental pollution, it is necessary to determine the content of metals in honey to evaluate the toxicological risk derived from its consumption. The objective of this study was to determine the content of 20 metals (Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr, V, and Zn) in different samples of artisanal honey from the Canary Islands (Spain) in order to evaluate the dietary intake derived from the consumption of these honeys. A total of 161 samples of different types of Canary honey were analyzed by ICP-OES (inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry). K (825mg/kg) was the macroelement found in highest concentration, while B (4.25mg/kg) was the trace element with the highest mean concentration. Al (3.33mg/kg) was the most abundant toxic metal, followed by Pb (0.040mg/kg) and Cd (0.002mg/kg). A mean consumption of 25g/day of honey mainly contributes to the recommended daily intake of Cu (1.34% adults) and K (0.67% adults). As regards the toxic metals, the contribution percentage to the TDI (tolerable daily intake) of Pb at 2.92% for adults is noteworthy. However, the consumption of honey does not imply a high intake of metals and, therefore, does pose a risk to the health of adult men and women.

ОПРЕДЕЛЕНИЕ ВЛИЯНИЯ СОДЕРЖАНИЯ ТЯЖЕЛЫХ МЕТАЛЛОВ В МЕДЕ НА ЕГО ОРГАНОЛЕПТИЧЕСКИЕ И ФИЗИКО-ХИМИЧЕСКИЕ СВОЙСТВА

The deterioration of the ecological situation in Russia and the contamination of environmental objects with various chemical compounds pose a growing threat to human and animal health and the state of the environment. Bee products can carry a potential threat to human health, as bees are in constant and direct contact with the environment. The article presents the results of a study of honey for heavy metals - lead and cadmium. The dependence of the amount of lead in honey from road traffic of highways in the flying radius of bees has been revealed. The direct dependence of the presence of lead in honey, pollution by its exhaust gases of cars from automobile traffic of a highway in the flying radius of bees is proved. A technique has been developed for determining the load of vehicles in the area, expressed in the release of lead into the atmosphere from combustible motor fuel. The organoleptic and physicochemical properties of the honey are determined. The article presents data that proves that the content of heavy metals in honey does not affect its organoleptic and physicochemical properties, but represents a real danger for human health, because heavy metals are cumulated in the body.

Morphostructural and immunohistochemical study on the role of metallothionein in the detoxification of heavy metals in Apis mellifera L., 1758.

Honey is a valuable food produced by bees from sugary substances that they gather in nature. The transformation the nectar into honey, by bees, is long and complex. Except for honey, where heavy metals are absent or are found only in traces, the bees and their products have always been considered excellent biomarkers of such contaminants. We have assumed that the absence of heavy metals in honey is due to the presence of a detoxification system in the digestive system of bees, which involves metallothioneins, proteins that have a role in the homeostatic control of essential and non-essential metals. We have placed the beehives in three different zones: industrial, urban and rural. Investigations were carried out with ICP-MS method for the detection of heavy metals in the guts of honey bees and honey. The metallothioneins have been identified by Immunohistochemical and Western-blotting analisys. The investigations have shown the presence of heavy metals only in bees guts but not in honey, while the presence of metallothionein has been highlighted only in epithelium of the honey sac, demonstrating the existence of an efficient system of detoxification of heavy metals.

Heavy Metal Levels and Potential Health Risk Assessment in Honey Consumed in the West of Iran

Since the worldwide research on content of heavy metals in honey is narrow, this study was carried out to analyze heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Ni, and Zn) in honey and assess its associated health risk in Hamadan City, Iran, in 2015. Totally, 15 freshly ripened samples of honey were analyzed for heavy metals using ICP-OES with three replications after burning to ash and digesting with dilute nitric acid. The potential health index was then calculated. The results showed that the mean levels of Cd, Cr, Ni, and Zn in the honey samples were 63.18 ± 43.39, 58.05 ± 30.32, 56.15 ± 54.32, and 684.43 ± 190.43 µg kg-1, respectively. Also, the health risk assessment showed no potential risk for children and adults in relation to the consumption of honey in the studied region. According to the results of the current study, although there is no adverse effect for the local population through the consumption of honey, due to the increased discharge of pollutants especially heavy metals into the natural environment, it is very important to assess foodstuff before release to the consumer market

Physicochemical Properties, Minerals, Trace Elements, and Heavy Metals in Honey of Different Origins: A Comprehensive Review.

Honey is a popular natural food product with a very complex composition mainly consisting of both organic and inorganic constituents. The composition of honey is strongly influenced by both natural and anthropogenic factors, which vary based on its botanical and geographical origins. Although minerals and heavy metals are minor constituents of honey, they play vital role in determining its quality. There are several different analytical methods used to determine the chemical elements in honey. These methods are typically based on spectroscopy or spectrometry techniques (including atomic absorption spectrometry, atomic emission spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry). This review compiles available scientific information on minerals and heavy metals in honey reported from all over the world. To date, 54 chemical elements in various types of honey have been identified and can be divided into 3 groups: major or macroelements (Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, S, Cl), minor or trace elements (Al, Cu, Pb, Zn, Mn, Cd, Tl, Co, Ni, Rb, Ba, Be, Bi, U, V, Fe, Pt, Pd, Te, Hf, Mo, Sn, Sb, La, I, Sm, Tb, Dy, Sd, Th, Pr, Nd, Tm, Yb, Lu, Gd, Ho, Er, Ce, Cr, As, B, Br, Cd, Hg, Se, Sr), and heavy metals (trace elements that have a specific gravity at least 5 times higher than that of water and inorganic sources). Chemical elements in honey samples throughout the world vary in terms of concentrations and are also influenced by environmental pollution.

Heavy metals determination in honey samples using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry.

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.

Concentrations of selected metals in honey consumed in Nigeria

The concentration of metals, cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) was measured in selected samples of honey in Nigeria with a view to providing information on the regional concentration profile of metals in these honeys. The honey samples were digested with a mixture of acids and analysed for metal concentrations using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The concentrations of metals (mg kg−1) in these honeys ranged from < 0.3 for Cd,<0.50–39.75 for Pb,<0.25–6.98 for Ni,<0.25–55.25 for Cr,<0.25–71.25 for Cu,<0.25–3.50 for Co,<5.0–163.15 for Fe,<11.0–31.75 for Mn and 1.0–31.0 for Zn. The concentrations of metals were relatively high but lower than their respective permissible limits in food except for Pb and Cu in some samples. The regional distribution patterns of metals indicated that honey samples from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria had higher mean concentrations of Ni, Cr, Co, Fe and Zn than honey samples from other regions. The honey samples from the northern region had higher mean concentrations of Pb and Cu.

Determining the Levels of Trace Elements Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in Honey of Stingless Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Using Voltammetry

Determining the levels of heavy metals in honey is a measure to control its quality. The objective of this study was to determine the contents of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in honey of stingless bee. The differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) was used to determine the trace elements in honey samples. Pb was detected in 100% of the samples, Cu and Zn in 98.15%, and Cd only in 33.33%. The trace elements analyzed detected in the samples remained within tolerable levels in foods for human consumption.

Direct Determination of Heavy Metals in Honey by Potentiometric Stripping Analysis

Direct Determination of Heavy Metals in Honey by Potentiometric Stripping Analysis

Metals in Honeys from Different Areas of Southern Italy

The aim of the study was to quantify the cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr) and arsenic (As) contents in ninety honey samples from nine areas of southern Italy. Results showed that As content was below the detection limit, while Cd, Pb, and Cr contents were below the recommended maximum acceptable levels. Mean Cd, Pb, and Cr contents were 0.013, 0.289 and 0.707 mg kg(-1), respectively. The metal contents in honey varied greatly depending on considered area. Correlations between the metals were statistically significant (p < 0.05), suggesting that polluting sources involve the simultaneous presence of metals in honey.

Use of boron-doped diamond electrode pre-treated cathodically for the determination of trace metals in honey by differential pulse voltammetry

In this work, a methodology for the determination of Cu(II), Pb(II), Cd(II) and Zn(II) in honey by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) on a nano crystalline boron-doped diamond electrode (BDD) is proposed. A 33 Box-Behnken Design, 32 Factorial Design and Principal Components Analysis (PCA) were performed to optimise the electrochemical conditions. According to the response surfaces obtained, it was stipulated for Zn analysis a pH of 4, Ed of −1.50 V and td of 240 s. For simultaneous analysis of Cu, Pb and Cd a pH of 1, Ed of −0.95 V and td of 240 s was used. Detection limits of 0.37, 0.40, 1.28 and 0.16 μg L−1 were found for Cu, Pb, Cd and Zn, respectively. The analyte concentration ranged between 0.242 and 1.38 mg L−1 for Cu, 0.129 and 0.918 mg L−1 for Pb and 0.819 and 2.492 mg L−1 for Zn, while no significant concentrations were found during Cd analyses. The honey samples were also analysed by Hg-coated glassy carbon electrode and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF AAS) through non-parametric ANOVA and no evidence of significant differences among the results was observed within a 95% confidence interval.

Honey as a bioindicator of arsenic contamination due to volcanic and mining activities in Chile

The content of heavy metals in honey is indicative of natural or anthropogenic pollution and has therefore been proposed as a feasible bioindicator for arsenic contamination in different regions of Chile. Total arsenic (t-As) and inorganic As (i-As) concentrations were determined in 227 samples of honey harvested during the years 2007, 2008, and 2009 in the areas of San Pedro de Atacama, Atacama, Chiloe, and Futaleufu, with the last town located 156 km from the Chaiten Volcano (latest eruption in 2008). These analyses were conducted using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer coupled with a hydride generator. In the honey samples, the concentrations of t-As ranged from 2.2 to 171.9 μg kg-1, and the i-As concentrations ranged from none detected (ND) to 24.6 μg kg-1, with the area of San Pedro de Atacama having the highest As concentrations. The samples of honey from Futaleufu showed higher As concentrations after the eruption of the Chaiten Volcano in 2008. This study demonstrates that As pollution in honey may originate from both natural and anthropogenic sources. The results indicate that it is appropriate to use honey as a bioindicator of environmental pollution. In addition, the consumption of the honey studied herein does not pose any health hazards to the consumer due to its As content.

Comparative Proximate and Chemical Analysis of Feral and Arti-ficially Reared Bee Honey Samples from Two Ecological Zones in Nigeria

The honey bee Apis mellifera is a social insect domesticated for honey production and pollination activit ies. Studies were carried out to investigate and compare the nutritive and chemical constituents of honey samples of the feral and artificially reared honeybees fro m the guinea and derived savannah geo-ecological zones of Kwara state, Nigeria. The result revealed that the honey sample produced by the feral bees in both eco -zones had higher concentration of sugars (dextrose, fructose, sucrose) while honey sample fro m the art ificial modern bee-keeping method had significantly higher concentration of minerals (Mg 2+ , Fe 2+ , K + ) than two other methods. However, honey samples fro m the derived savannah recorded significantly higher conce n- tration of minerals, p rotein and sugars. The honey samples fro m modern beekeeping methods and from derived savannah ec o- logical zone should be promoted and be enhanced for commercial production. The level o f heavy metals in honey in the market should be monitored so as to prevent the bioaccumulation of harmful ions with in human body.

Risk assessment of heavy metals in honey consumed in Zhejiang province, southeastern China

The levels of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg) in eight types of honey collected in China were determined. The average concentrations of the six heavy metals in the honey samples were 46.18, 1329.5, 1.34, 33.98, 13.44, and 1.65 μg kg(-1), respectively. All these values were below the maximum allowable contaminant levels in foods (GB2762-2005) and honey (GB14963-2011) in China. The hazard quotients of individual heavy metals and the hazard index of all six heavy metals were far below one, indicating no chronic-toxic risk from these metals for the inhabitants of Zhejiang under the current consumption rates of honey. However, the carcinogenic risk of As for the female inhabitants in Zhejiang exceeded the acceptable level of 10(-4). Therefore, As is the most concerning heavy metal in honey.

Physicochemical analysis of Tigray honey: An attempt to determine major quality markers of honey

The objective of this study was to assess quality of Tigray honey and content of selected metals (Cu, Co, Cr, Ni, Fe, Zn, Cd, Mn). Thirty honey samples from various areas of Tigray Region, Ethiopia were collected and analyzed for major quality parameters (pH, electrical conductivity, moisture content, ash content and levels of selected metals). Moisture content had a value of 18.6 (minimum) and 18.8 (maximum) indicating optimum harvesting and good degree of maturity. All honeys analyzed in this work had ash contents less than 0.6%, indicating that they were more likely to be floral than honeydew origin. Electrical conductivity varies from 8.27 &plusmn; 0.02 mS/cm (Hawzene) to 33.5 &plusmn; 0.2 mS/cm (Abiy Adi). Values recorded for honey pH ranged from 3.82 &plusmn; 0.01 (Hawzen) and 4.45 &plusmn; 0.01 (Abiy Adi). In general the Tigray honey shows relatively acidic behavior which is similar to other honeys in the world. The concentration of trace metals in honey was more or less different depending on the sampling area. The highest concentration was observed for iron, copper, nickel, manganese, zinc, chromium, cobalt and cadmium in that order. The highest concentration of metals was observed in Adigrat honey and then Hagereselam, Abiy Adi, Hawezene and the least for Atsbi.&nbsp;KEY WORDS: Honey, Moisture content, Electrical conductivity, Tigray, Ash content, pH, Mineral content, Bioindicator&nbsp;Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2012, 26(1), 127-133.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v26i1.14