STUDY OF TOXIC AND ESSENTIAL METALS IN HONEY TO apiculture and consumer SAFETY

Clara Naccari; Vincenzo Ferrantelli; Gaetano Cammilleri; Andrea Macaluso; Gianluigi Maria Lo Dico; Pietro Riolo; Roberto Bava; Antonio Procopio; Ernesto Palma

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STUDY OF TOXIC AND ESSENTIAL METALS IN HONEY TO apiculture and consumer SAFETY

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²,

²,

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Gianluigi Maria Lo Dico

²,

Pietro Riolo

²,

Roberto Bava

¹,

Antonio Procopio

¹,

Ernesto Palma

¹ Department of Health Sciences, Univerisity "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Italy
² Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia "A. Mirri", Palermo , Italy

Academic Editor: Michael Hässig

Published: 07 March 2025 by MDPI in The 3rd International Electronic Conference on Animals session Sustainability of products derived from animals

Abstract:

Background

Honey is an apicultural product consumed for its high nutritional value and beneficial properties. This sustainable food is considered also a useful bio-indicator of environmental pollution. Among various contaminants, the presence of toxic metals in honey, as a consequence of antrophic activities, can alter its mineral profile. The aim of this study was to determinate the mineral content in honey, analyze the residual levels of toxic metals according to EU Regulations, and evaluate essential microelement intake through its consumption.

Methods

Honey samples of different floral origins (wildflower, citrus, chestnut, honeydew, erika), collected in apiaries of Calabria (Italy), were digested with HNO₃ (70%) and H₂O₂ (30%) and submitted to ICP-MS analysis for the determination of toxic metals and metalloids (Cd, Pb, As), and essential microelements (Cu, Zn, Se, Fe, Mn, Co). Data were significant at values P<0.05 and P<0.01.

Results

The result showed the presence of minerals analyzed (> LOD) in all samples, with the highest levels of Pb (range 0.0792 - 0.1250 mg/kg) among toxic metals and a normal range of essential microelements. From a toxicological assessment, in most of the samples, Pb levels exceeded the MRLs (0.1 mg/kg) fixed by EU Regulation 2023/915, corresponding to significant percentages of Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI). Considering the nutritional and health aspect, instead, the concentration of essential micro-elements in honey represented a good percentage of Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA).

Conclusion

This study documented the presence of toxic metals in honey analyzed and Pb levels higher than MRL, posing possible risk to consumers. The content of essential micro-elements, however, provided an adeguate nutritional intake through honey consumption. Therefore, the study of mineral profiles can be a valid method of monitoring the environmental pollution of areas where beekeeping farms are sited, and of assessing the quality and safety of honey for consumer health.

References

EU Regulation 2023/915

Keywords: toxic and essential metals, honey, MRL, PTWI, beekeeping farms