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Quirantes-Piné R, Sanna G, Mara A, Borrás-Linares I, Mainente F, Picó Y, Zoccatelli G, Lozano-Sánchez J, Ciulu M. Mass Spectrometry Characterization of Honeydew Honey: A Critical Review. Foods 2024; 13:2229. [PMID: 39063313 PMCID: PMC11275487 DOI: 10.3390/foods13142229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Honeydew honey is produced by bees (Apis mellifera) foraging and collecting secretions produced by certain types of aphids on various parts of plants. In addition to exhibiting organoleptic characteristics that distinguish them from nectar honey, these honeys are known for their functional properties, such as strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Despite their importance, they remain poorly characterized in comparison with flower honeys, as most studies on this subject are not only carried out on too few samples but also still focused on traditional chemical-physical parameters, such as specific rotation, major sugars, or melissopalynological information. Since mass spectrometry has consistently been a primary tool for the characterization and authentication of honeys, this review will focus on the application of these methods to the characterization of the minor fraction of honeydew honey. More specifically, this review will attempt to highlight what progress has been made so far in identifying markers of the authenticity of the botanical and/or geographical origin of honeydew honeys by mass spectrometry-based approaches. Furthermore, strategies devoted to the determination of contaminants and toxins in honeydew honeys will be addressed. Such analyses represent a valuable tool for establishing the level of food safety associated with these products. A critical analysis of the presented studies will identify their limitations and critical issues, thereby describing the current state of research on the topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Quirantes-Piné
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Avda Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain;
| | - Gavino Sanna
- Department of Chemical, Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (G.S.); (A.M.)
| | - Andrea Mara
- Department of Chemical, Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (G.S.); (A.M.)
| | - Isabel Borrás-Linares
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Avda Fuentenueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain;
| | - Federica Mainente
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, Cà Vignal 1, 37134 Verona, Italy; (F.M.); (G.Z.); (M.C.)
| | - Yolanda Picó
- Centro de Investigaciones Sobre Desertificaciòn, Ctra. Moncada-Naquera km 4.5, 46113 Moncada, Spain;
| | - Gianni Zoccatelli
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, Cà Vignal 1, 37134 Verona, Italy; (F.M.); (G.Z.); (M.C.)
| | - Jesús Lozano-Sánchez
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Campus Universitario s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain;
| | - Marco Ciulu
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie 15, Cà Vignal 1, 37134 Verona, Italy; (F.M.); (G.Z.); (M.C.)
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Bashir S, Ghosh P, Lal P. Dancing with danger-how honeybees are getting affected in the web of microplastics-a review. NANOIMPACT 2024; 35:100522. [PMID: 39019436 DOI: 10.1016/j.impact.2024.100522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Anthropogenic activities have negatively impacted the ecosystem dramatically over the last few decades. The environment is becoming more contaminated with heavy metals, pesticides, and microplastics (MPs) as a result of the swift rise in industrialization and urbanisation. These contaminants are present everywhere in the ecosystem, affecting every living creature, from aquatic to terrestrial to aerial. Recently, the widespread of microplastics in the environment has raised serious concerns about the contamination of honey bees by these tiny particles of plastic. Honeybees are the major pollinators which contributes in the pollination of about 70% food that we consume. This review summarizes current research findings on the presence, uptake, and possible effects of microplastics on honey bees. Findings revealed the presence of microplastics in various honey bee matrices, such as honey, pollen, beeswax, and bee bodies, highlighting the potential routes of exposure for these vital pollinators. Additionally, evidence suggests that microplastics can accumulate in honey bee tissues (brain, midgut, Malpighian tubules, trachea, and haemolymph) potentially leading to adverse effects on honey bee health, behaviour, and colony dynamics. Additionally, MPs has a synergistic impact on immune system as well. Change in cuticle profile, reduction in body weight, and changes in eating frequency can regulate overall success rate of their survival. However, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding the long-term consequences for honey bee populations and ecosystem health, which cannot unveil the ultimate degree of future threats. Future research efforts should focus on investigating the interactions between microplastics and other stressors, such as pesticides and pathogens, and assessing the broader ecological implications of honey bee contamination with microplastics. Addressing these knowledge gaps is essential for developing effective mitigation strategies to minimize the impact of microplastics on honey bee populations and safeguarding their vital role in ecosystem functioning and food security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadaf Bashir
- Department of Zoology, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India, 144411
| | - Pritha Ghosh
- Department of Entomology, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India, 144411.
| | - Priyanka Lal
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India, 144411
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Flamminii F, Consalvo A, Cichelli A, Chiaudani A. Assessing Mineral Content and Heavy Metal Exposure in Abruzzo Honey and Bee Pollen from Different Anthropic Areas. Foods 2024; 13:1930. [PMID: 38928872 PMCID: PMC11202465 DOI: 10.3390/foods13121930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Honey and bee pollen offer potential health benefits due to their nutrient and bioactive molecules, but they may also harbor contaminants such as heavy metals. This study aimed to assess the content of different metals, including Mg, Al, K, Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Cu, As, Rb, Sr, Cd, Cs, Tl, Pb and U, in honey and bee pollen collected from different Abruzzo region (Italy) areas (A1, A2, A3, A4), characterized by different anthropic influences described by Corine Land Cover maps. Differences were observed in the mineral and heavy metal content associated with the influence of biotic and abiotic factors. Honeys were found to be safe in regard to non-carcinogenic risk in all the consumer categories (THQm < 1). A particular carcinogenic risk concern was identified for toddlers associated with Cr (LCTR > 1 × 10-4) in A1, A2 and A3 apiaries. Pb and Ni represent potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks in children and adults due to bee pollen consumption, showing high values of THQm and LCTR. The results suggest the advantages of utilizing bee products to screen mineral and heavy metal content, providing valuable insights into environmental quality and potential health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Flamminii
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (A.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Ada Consalvo
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Via Luigi Polacchi, 11, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
| | - Angelo Cichelli
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (A.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Alessandro Chiaudani
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry, University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (A.C.); (A.C.)
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Meng Q, Huang R, Yang S, Li H, Yue D, Gong X, Zhao W, Tian Y, Dong K. Impact of Brood Cell Cocoons on Metal Accumulation and CYP450 Detoxification Gene Expression in Apis cerana cerana. TOXICS 2024; 12:131. [PMID: 38393226 PMCID: PMC10892446 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12020131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Honey bees play a critical role as pollinators. However, their reproduction success and survival face severe threats due to the deterioration of their living environment. Notably, environmental conditions during their preimaginal stage inside brood cells can influence their immune capabilities and overall health after emergence. During the in-cell developmental stage, workers are in close contact with cocoons, which can become a source of stress due to accumulated metals. To investigate this potential threat, experiments were conducted to examine the impact of cocoons in brood cells used to rear different generations on the metal content and detoxification gene expression levels in Apis cerana cerana. Our findings indicated significant differences in the layers, weight, base thickness, and metal contents like Cr, Cd, Pb, Mn, Ni, and As of cocoons in multi-generation brood cells compared to single-generation brood cells. These increases led to significant elevations in metal levels and upregulations of the four CYP450 detoxification genes in both six-day-old larvae and newly emerged workers. In conclusion, this study highlights the negative impact of cocoons in multi-generation brood cells on bee health and provides evidence supporting the development of rational apiculture management strategies for ecosystem stability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Yakai Tian
- Yunnan Provincial Engineering and Research Center for Sustainable Utilization of Honeybee Resources, Eastern Bee Research Institute, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (Q.M.); (R.H.); (S.Y.); (H.L.); (D.Y.); (X.G.); (W.Z.)
| | - Kun Dong
- Yunnan Provincial Engineering and Research Center for Sustainable Utilization of Honeybee Resources, Eastern Bee Research Institute, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650201, China; (Q.M.); (R.H.); (S.Y.); (H.L.); (D.Y.); (X.G.); (W.Z.)
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Praus L, Urbanová S, Száková J. Honey Bees and Associated Matrices as Biomonitors of Soil Trace Elements: Assessment of their Sensitivity in a Regional Rural Environment. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2024; 43:288-298. [PMID: 37988263 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) represent a random biosampler integrating pollutants over space and time. An effective biomonitor for trace element (TE) pollution should provide a linear response to TE levels in the environment. However, uncertainties in detecting TEs originating in soil limit their use. To address this, nine experimental sites with multiple apiaries were established in the Upper Palatine Forest, Czech Republic. The soils surrounding the hives were characterized by estimations of the pseudototal and (bio)available pools of TEs. Our study aimed to (1) quantify the linear relationships between soil TE indices and TE contents in bees, bee bread, honey, and wax, and (2) verify the biobarrier function protecting honey from TE contamination. Lead (0.046-0.140 µg g-1 ) and nickel (0.12-4.30 µg g-1 ) contents in bees showed strong linear correlations with (bio)available Pb (0.012-0.254 µg g-1 ) and pseudototal Ni (17.1-36.4 µg g-1 ) in soil (Pearson's r = 0.95 and 0.88, p < 0.005), providing high spatial resolution. A weaker, insignificant correlation was observed for chromium (Cr; r = 0.65) and vanadium (V; 0.44), while no correlation was found for cadmium (Cd). However, the lack of associations for Cr, V, and Cd may result from the low soil TE levels in the region, negligible differences among the majority of sites, and temporal concerns related to different time scales of the biomonitors, impacting the linear model's sensitivity. Biochemical traits in bees, such as the biobarrier function, and different bioavailability of TEs from ingested matter may affect the matrix-to-matrix transfer of TEs in an element-dependent manner. Consequently, the linear response of bee-related biomonitors to TE levels in the environment may significantly deteriorate. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:288-298. © 2023 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukáš Praus
- Department of Agro-Environmental Chemistry and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Sára Urbanová
- Department of Agro-Environmental Chemistry and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Suchdol, Czech Republic
| | - Jiřina Száková
- Department of Agro-Environmental Chemistry and Plant Nutrition, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Suchdol, Czech Republic
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Giampaoli O, Messi M, Merlet T, Sciubba F, Canepari S, Spagnoli M, Astolfi ML. Landfill fire impact on bee health: beneficial effect of dietary supplementation with medicinal plants and probiotics in reducing oxidative stress and metal accumulation. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023:10.1007/s11356-023-31561-x. [PMID: 38158534 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31561-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
The honey bee is an important pollinator insect susceptible to environmental contaminants. We investigated the effects of a waste fire event on elemental content, oxidative stress, and metabolic response in bees fed different nutrients (probiotics, Quassia amara, and placebo). The level of the elements was also investigated in honey and beeswax. Our data show a general increase in elemental concentrations in all bee groups after the event; however, the administration of probiotics and Quassia amara help fight oxidative stress in bees. Significantly lower concentrations of Ni, S, and U for honey in the probiotic group and a general and significant decrease in elemental concentrations for beeswax in the probiotic group and Li in the Quassia amara group were observed after the fire waste event. The comparison of the metabolic profiles through pre- and post-event PCA analyses showed that bees treated with different feeds react differently to the environmental event. The greatest differences in metabolic profiles are observed between the placebo-fed bees compared to the others. This study can help to understand how some stress factors can affect the health of bees and to take measures to protect these precious insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ottavia Giampaoli
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
- NMR-Based Metabolomics Laboratory (NMLab), Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Marcello Messi
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Thomas Merlet
- Department of Chemistry, Toulouse INP - ENSIACET, 4 Allée Emile Monso, 31030, Toulouse, France
| | - Fabio Sciubba
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
- NMR-Based Metabolomics Laboratory (NMLab), Sapienza University of Rome, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Canepari
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
- C.N.R. Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research, Via Salaria, Km 29,300, Monterotondo St, 00015, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariangela Spagnoli
- Department of Medicine, Epidemiology, Environmental and Occupational Hygiene, INAIL, via Fontana Candida 1, 00078, Monte Porzio Catone, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Astolfi
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy.
- Research Center for Applied Sciences to the Safeguard of Environment and Cultural Heritage (CIABC), Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy.
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Bischoff K, Moiseff J. The role of the veterinary diagnostic toxicologist in apiary health. J Vet Diagn Invest 2023; 35:597-616. [PMID: 37815239 PMCID: PMC10621547 DOI: 10.1177/10406387231203965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Susceptibility of individuals and groups to toxicants depends on complex interactions involving the host, environment, and other exposures. Apiary diagnostic investigation and honey bee health are truly population medicine: the colony is the patient. Here we provide basic information on the application of toxicology to the testing of domestic honey bees, and, in light of recent research, expand on some of the challenges of interpreting analytical chemistry findings as they pertain to hive health. The hive is an efficiently organized system of wax cells used to store brood, honey, and bee bread, and is protected by the bee-procured antimicrobial compound propolis. Toxicants can affect individual workers outside or inside the hive, with disease processes that range from acute to chronic and subclinical to lethal. Toxicants can impact brood and contaminate honey, bee bread, and structural wax. We provide an overview of important natural and synthetic toxicants to which honey bees are exposed; behavioral, husbandry, and external environmental factors influencing exposure; short- and long-term impacts of toxicant exposure on individual bee and colony health; and the convergent impacts of stress, nutrition, infectious disease, and toxicant exposures on colony health. Current and potential future toxicology testing options are included. Common contaminants in apiary products consumed or used by humans (honey, wax, pollen), their sources, and the potential need for product testing are also noted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karyn Bischoff
- New York State Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Jennifer Moiseff
- New York State Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
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Taylor MP, Gillings MM, Fry KL, Barlow CF, Gunkel-Grillion P, Gueyte R, Camoin M. Tracing nickel smelter emissions using European honey bees. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 335:122257. [PMID: 37506807 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated trace element contamination in honey bees inhabiting urban areas around the South Pacific's largest and longest operating nickel smelter in Nouméa, New Caledonia. There remains a paucity of research on the environmental impact of nickel smelting, and to date, there has been no assessment of its effects on the popular practice of beekeeping, or whether honey bees are a suitable tracer for nickel smelting emissions. Honey bees and honey were sampled from 15 hives across Nouméa to ascertain linkages between nickel smelter emissions, environmental contamination, and trace element uptake by bees. Comparison of washed and unwashed bees revealed no significant difference in trace element concentrations, indicating trace elements bioaccumulate within the internal tissues of bees over time. Accordingly, trace element concentrations were higher in dead bees than those that were sampled live, with smelter related elements chromium, cobalt and nickel being significantly different at p < 0.05. Except for boron, trace element concentrations were consistently higher in bees than in honey, suggesting that the transfer of trace elements from bees during honey production is negligible. Elevated concentrations of potentially toxic trace elements including cobalt, chromium and nickel in bees declined with distance from smelting operations (Spearman's Rho, p < 0.05), indicating the relationship between environmental contamination and the uptake of trace elements by bees. The findings of this study emphasise potential environmental and human health risks associated with trace element contamination from nickel smelting operations and affirm the use of honey bees as a biomonitor of potentially harmful nickel smelting emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Patrick Taylor
- School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, 2109, Australia; Environment Protection Authority Victoria, Centre for Applied Sciences, Ernest Jones Drive, Macleod, Melbourne, Victoria, 3085, Australia.
| | - Max M Gillings
- School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, 2109, Australia; Environment Protection Authority Victoria, Centre for Applied Sciences, Ernest Jones Drive, Macleod, Melbourne, Victoria, 3085, Australia
| | - Kara L Fry
- School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, 2109, Australia; Environment Protection Authority Victoria, Centre for Applied Sciences, Ernest Jones Drive, Macleod, Melbourne, Victoria, 3085, Australia
| | - Cynthia F Barlow
- School of Natural Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, 2109, Australia; Australian Centre for Housing Research, Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Economics, University of Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - Peggy Gunkel-Grillion
- Institute of Exact and Applied Sciences (ISEA), University of New Caledonia, BPR4, 98851, Nouméa Cedex, New Caledonia
| | - Romain Gueyte
- Centre d'Apiculture - Technopole de Nouvelle-Calédonie, 98870 Bourail, New Caledonia
| | - Margot Camoin
- Pôle Apicole - Groupement de Défense Sanitaire de la Réunion, 97418 Plaine des Cafres, Réunion, France
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Dietary exposure to heavy metals through polyfloral honey from Campania region (Italy). J Food Compost Anal 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jfca.2022.104748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Astolfi ML, Conti ME, Messi M, Marconi E. Probiotics as a promising prophylactic tool to reduce levels of toxic or potentially toxic elements in bees. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 308:136261. [PMID: 36057357 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Bees are precious living beings for our planet. Thanks to their essential service of pollination, these insects allow the maintenance of biodiversity and the variety and amount of food available. Unfortunately, we are observing an increasingly devastating reduction of bee families and other pollinating insects for factors related to human activities, environmental pollution, diseases and parasites, compromise of natural habitats, and climate change. We show that probiotics can protect bees from element pollution. We collected bees, beeswax, honey, pollen, and propolis directly from hives in a rural area of central Italy to investigate the content of 41 elements in control (not supplemented with probiotics) and experimental (supplemented with probiotics) groups. Our data show a significantly lower concentration of some elements (Ba, Be, Cd, Ce, Co, Cu, Pb, Sn, Tl, and U) in experimental bees than in control groups, indicating a possible beneficial effect of probiotics in reducing the absorption of chemicals. This study presents the first data on element levels after probiotics have been fed to bees and provides the basis for future research in several activities relating to the environment, agriculture, economy, territory, and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Luisa Astolfi
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy; CIABC, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Marcelo Enrique Conti
- Department of Management, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Del Castro Laurenziano 9, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Marcello Messi
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Marconi
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
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Sharma A, Pant K, Brar DS, Thakur A, Nanda V. A review on Api-products: current scenario of potential contaminants and their food safety concerns. Food Control 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2022.109499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Conti ME, Astolfi ML, Finoia MG, Massimi L, Canepari S. Biomonitoring of element contamination in bees and beehive products in the Rome province (Italy). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:36057-36074. [PMID: 35060025 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-18072-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED In this study, we determined the levels of elements (i.e. As, Be, Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb, U, and Zn) in bees and edible beehive products (honey, wax, pollen, and propolis) sampled from five selected sites in the Rome province (Italy). RATIONALE to increase the information variety endowment, the monitoring breakdown structure (MBS) conceptual model was used (nine elements, 429 samples, and approximately thirteen thousand determinations over a 1-year survey). Thus, we employed Johnson's probabilistic method to build the control charts. Then, we measured the element concentration overlap ranges and the overlap bioaccumulation index (OBI). Subsequently, we evaluated the estimated daily intake (EDI) of the analysed elements and matched them with acceptable reference doses. The human health risk caused by the intake of individual elements found in edible beehive products and their risk summation were evaluated through the target hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI) methods. FINDINGS excluding honey, this study confirms the capacity of wax, pollen, propolis, and bees to accumulate high levels of toxic and potentially toxic elements from the surrounding environment (with high OBI-U, i.e. OBI-Upper values, i.e. the common upper concentration limit of the overlap concentration range). Bees and pollen showed a high bioaccumulation Cd surplus (OBI-U = 44.0 and 22.3, respectively). On the contrary, honey had high OBI-L values (i.e. honey concentrates metals several times less than the common lower concentration limit of the overlap concentration range). This finding implies that honey is useless as an environmental indicator compared with the other biomonitor/indicators. The EDI values for the edible beehive products were lower than the health and safety reference doses for all the considered elements. Our data show that honey, wax, propolis, and pollen are safe for consumption by both adults and children (THQ < 1; HI < 1), even considering the sporadic possibility of consuming them simultaneously. ORIGINALITY This study has been conducted for the first time in the Rome province and demonstrates that edible indicators are safe for consumption for the considered elements in bees and edible beehive products. Depending on the ecosystem/pollutants studied, the OBI consents to make a correct choice for environmental biomonitoring studies and to focus the attention on the most sensitive biomonitors/indicators when required at the project level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Enrique Conti
- Department of Management, University of Rome, Via del Castro Laurenziano 9, 00161, Sapienza, Italy.
| | - Maria Luisa Astolfi
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P. Le Aldo Moro, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Finoia
- Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, Viale V. Brancati 60, 00166, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Massimi
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, P. Le Aldo Moro, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Canepari
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, P. Le Aldo Moro, 00185, Rome, Italy
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Fischer A, Brodziak-Dopierała B, Bem J, Ahnert B. Analysis of Mercury Concentration in Honey from the Point of View of Human Body Exposure. Biol Trace Elem Res 2022; 200:1095-1103. [PMID: 34091870 PMCID: PMC8761158 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-021-02744-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Honey is a highly valued product due to its nutritional value, pro-health and healing properties. Pollutants from the environment penetrate into nectar, honeydew, pollen and next into bee products and can cause human exposure after ingestion. Mercury (Hg) is a toxic metal to living organisms. This is why it was important to determine the level of Hg in consumed honey.The aim of this manuscript is to analyse mercury concentration in honeys collected on the territory of Poland. A total of 108 samples of honey purchased in regional apiaries and hypermarkets were tested. The concentration of Hg was analysed in various types of honey (multifloral, honeydew, linden, goldenrod, acacia, buckwheat, rapeseed, sunflower, heather, dandelion, phacelia). The values of the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI), Estimated Weekly Intake (EWI) and % Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (% PTWI) were calculated. This allowed estimating the amount of Hg taken during consumption of the tested honeys.The concentration of Hg ranged from 0.01 to 1.71 µg/kg and was 0.43 µg/kg on average. A higher concentration of Hg, which was statistically significant, was recorded in honeydew honey, then in compound honeys. Honeys produced from one raw material had the lowest concentration of Hg. There were no significant differences in the concentration of Hg depending on the origin of honey. The calculations have shown that consumption of a portion (19 g) of the tested honey per week is safe for both adults and children according to the applicable standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Fischer
- Department of Toxicology and Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Medical University of Silesia, 30 Ostrogórska Str, 41-200, Sosnowiec, Poland.
| | - Barbara Brodziak-Dopierała
- Department of Toxicology and Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Medical University of Silesia, 30 Ostrogórska Str, 41-200, Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Joanna Bem
- Department of Toxicology and Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Medical University of Silesia, 30 Ostrogórska Str, 41-200, Sosnowiec, Poland
| | - Bożena Ahnert
- Department of Toxicology and Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Medical University of Silesia, 30 Ostrogórska Str, 41-200, Sosnowiec, Poland
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Tomczyk M, Bocian A, Sidor E, Miłek M, Zaguła G, Dżugan M. The Use of HPTLC and SDS-PAGE Methods for Coniferous Honeydew Honey Fingerprinting Compiled with Mineral Content and Antioxidant Activity. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27030720. [PMID: 35163985 PMCID: PMC8838849 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27030720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Fir honeydew honey is a uniquely beneficial product which is often subjected to adulteration; however, pollen analysis is not useful to verify this honey type. Fourteen samples of EU protected designation of origin fir honeydew honey gathered directly from apiaries were studied. Standards of legal requirements and additional parameters, i.e., specific optical rotation, mineral content, and antioxidant activity, were tested. Five nectar honeys of different varieties were used as a comparative material. HPTLC and SDS-PAGE methods were used to fingerprint the honey types. All honeys tested fulfilled the quality requirements in terms of water content, pH, total acidity, conductivity, HMF, and diastase number. They were defined as dark amber on the Pfund scale and exhibited positive specific rotation (+2.5 to 25). Honeydew honey surpassed the tested nectar honeys in terms of mineral content and antioxidant activity as well as total polyphenolic content, except for buckwheat honey. The sugar and polyphenolic profile obtained by HPTLC allowed to distinguish honeydew from nectar honeys. The same was achieved by SDS-PAGE protein profiling. Both techniques seem to be cheap and quick tools for precisely distinguishing honeydew honey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Tomczyk
- Department of Chemistry and Food Toxicology, Institute of Food Technology and Nutrition, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, 35–601 Rzeszow, Poland; (A.B.); (E.S.); (M.M.); (M.D.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-17872-17-21
| | - Aleksandra Bocian
- Department of Chemistry and Food Toxicology, Institute of Food Technology and Nutrition, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, 35–601 Rzeszow, Poland; (A.B.); (E.S.); (M.M.); (M.D.)
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Chemistry, Rzeszow University of Technology, 35–959 Rzeszow, Poland
| | - Ewelina Sidor
- Department of Chemistry and Food Toxicology, Institute of Food Technology and Nutrition, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, 35–601 Rzeszow, Poland; (A.B.); (E.S.); (M.M.); (M.D.)
- Doctoral School, University of Rzeszow, Poland, 35–959 Rzeszow, Poland
| | - Michał Miłek
- Department of Chemistry and Food Toxicology, Institute of Food Technology and Nutrition, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, 35–601 Rzeszow, Poland; (A.B.); (E.S.); (M.M.); (M.D.)
| | - Grzegorz Zaguła
- Department of Bioenergetics, Food Analysis and Microbiology, Institute of Food Technology and Nutrition, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, 35–601 Rzeszow, Poland;
| | - Małgorzata Dżugan
- Department of Chemistry and Food Toxicology, Institute of Food Technology and Nutrition, College of Natural Sciences, University of Rzeszow, 35–601 Rzeszow, Poland; (A.B.); (E.S.); (M.M.); (M.D.)
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15
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Nikhat S, Fazil M. History, phytochemistry, experimental pharmacology and clinical uses of honey: A comprehensive review with special reference to Unani medicine. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 282:114614. [PMID: 34508800 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Honey is one of the most popular functional foods, speculated to be in use since the advent of human civilization. Its health-protective activity is endorsed by many religions and traditional medicines. In Unani medicine, honey is prescribed for many health conditions as wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, etc. In the present era, honey is gaining popularity over sugar for its myriad health benefits and low glycemic index. This review attempts to provide a comprehensive account of the biological activities and potential therapeutic uses of honey, with scientific evidence. METHODOLOGY In this paper, we have provided a comprehensive overview of historical uses, types, physical characteristics, bioactive constituents and pharmacological activities of honey. The information was gathered from Classical Unani textbooks and leading scientific databases. There is a plethora of information regarding various therapeutic activities of honey, and it is daunting to draw practical conclusions. Hence, in this paper, we have tried to summarize those aspects which are most relevant to clinical application. OBSERVATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS Many important bioactive constituents are identified in different honey types, e.g. phenolics, proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, organic acids, etc., which exert important biological activities like anti-microbial, wound healing, immunomodulatory, anti-toxin, antioxidant, and many others. Honey has the potential to alleviate many lifestyle disorders, mitigate the adverse effects of drugs and toxins, and also provide healthy nutrition. Although conclusive clinical evidence is not available, yet honey may potentially be a safer alternative to sucrose for diabetic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadia Nikhat
- Dept. of Ilaj bit Tadbeer, School of Unani Medical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India.
| | - Mohammad Fazil
- HAK Institute for Literary and Historical Research in Unani Medicine, CCRUM, Jamia Millia Islamia Campus, New Delhi, India.
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16
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Filipi J, Stojnić V, Muštra M, Gillanders RN, Jovanović V, Gajić S, Turnbull GA, Babić Z, Kezić N, Risojević V. Honeybee-based biohybrid system for landmine detection. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 803:150041. [PMID: 34500270 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Legacy landmines in post-conflict areas are a non-discriminatory lethal hazard and can still be triggered decades after the conflict has ended. Efforts to detect these explosive devices are expensive, time-consuming, and dangerous to humans and animals involved. While methods such as metal detectors and sniffer dogs have successfully been used in humanitarian demining, more tools are required for both site surveying and accurate mine detection. Honeybees have emerged in recent years as efficient bioaccumulation and biomonitoring animals. The system reported here uses two complementary landmine detection methods: passive sampling and active search. Passive sampling aims to confirm the presence of explosive materials in a mine-suspected area by the analysis of explosive material brought back to the colony on honeybee bodies returning from foraging trips. Analysis is performed by light-emitting chemical sensors detecting explosives thermally desorbed from a preconcentrator strip. The active search is intended to be able to pinpoint the place where individual landmines are most likely to be present. Used together, both methods are anticipated to be useful in an end-to-end process for area surveying, suspected hazardous area reduction, and post-clearing internal and external quality control in humanitarian demining.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janja Filipi
- Department of Ecology, Agronomy and Aquaculture, University of Zadar, Trg Kneza Višeslava 9, 23000 Zadar, Croatia
| | - Vladan Stojnić
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Banja Luka, Patre 5, 78000 Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Mario Muštra
- Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences, University of Zagreb, Vukelićeva 4, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ross N Gillanders
- Organic Semiconductor Centre, SUPA, School of Physics & Astronomy, University of St Andrews, Fife KY16 9SS, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Vedran Jovanović
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska Cesta 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Slavica Gajić
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Banja Luka, Patre 5, 78000 Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Graham A Turnbull
- Organic Semiconductor Centre, SUPA, School of Physics & Astronomy, University of St Andrews, Fife KY16 9SS, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Zdenka Babić
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Banja Luka, Patre 5, 78000 Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Nikola Kezić
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, Svetošimunska Cesta 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vladimir Risojević
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Banja Luka, Patre 5, 78000 Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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Astolfi ML, Conti ME, Ristorini M, Frezzini MA, Papi M, Massimi L, Canepari S. An Analytical Method for the Biomonitoring of Mercury in Bees and Beehive Products by Cold Vapor Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26164878. [PMID: 34443466 PMCID: PMC8399589 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26164878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Bees and their products are useful bioindicators of anthropogenic activities and could overcome the deficiencies of air quality networks. Among the environmental contaminants, mercury (Hg) is a toxic metal that can accumulate in living organisms. The first aim of this study was to develop a simple analytical method to determine Hg in small mass samples of bees and beehive products by cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The proposed method was optimized for about 0.02 g bee, pollen, propolis, and royal jelly, 0.05 g beeswax and honey, or 0.1 g honeydew with 0.5 mL HCl, 0.2 mL HNO3, and 0.1 mL H2O2 in a water bath (95 °C, 30 min); samples were made up to a final volume of 5 mL deionized water. The method limits sample manipulation and the reagent mixture volume used. Detection limits were lower than 3 µg kg−1 for a sample mass of 0.02 g, and recoveries and precision were within 20% of the expected value and less than 10%, respectively, for many matrices. The second aim of the present study was to evaluate the proposed method’s performances on real samples collected in six areas of the Lazio region in Italy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Luisa Astolfi
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +39-06-4991-3384
| | - Marcelo Enrique Conti
- Department of Management, Sapienza University of Rome, via del Castro Laurenziano 9, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Martina Ristorini
- Department of Bioscience and Territory, University of Molise, 86090 Pesche, Italy;
| | - Maria Agostina Frezzini
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.A.F.); (L.M.); (S.C.)
| | - Marco Papi
- Association of Beekeepers of Rome and Province, via Albidona 20, 00118 Rome, Italy;
| | - Lorenzo Massimi
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.A.F.); (L.M.); (S.C.)
| | - Silvia Canepari
- Department of Environmental Biology, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (M.A.F.); (L.M.); (S.C.)
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Edo C, Fernández-Alba AR, Vejsnæs F, van der Steen JJM, Fernández-Piñas F, Rosal R. Honeybees as active samplers for microplastics. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 767:144481. [PMID: 33450591 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics are ubiquitous and their sampling is a difficult task. Honeybees interact with the environment inside their foraging range and take pollutants with them. In this work, we demonstrated for the first time that worker bees can act as active samplers of microplastics. We collected honeybees from apiaries located in the centre of Copenhagen and from nearby semiurban and rural areas. We showed the presence of microplastics in all sampled locations mostly in the form of fragments (52%) and fibres (38%) with average equivalent diameter of 64 ± 39 μm for fibres and 234 ± 156 μm for fragments. The highest load corresponded to urban apiaries, but comparable number of microplastics was found in hives from suburban and rural areas, which can be explained by the presence of urban settlements inside the foraging range of worker bees and to the easy dispersion of small microplastics by wind. Micro-FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of thirteen synthetic polymers, the most frequently of which was polyester followed by polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride. Our results demonstrated the presence of microplastics attached to the body of the honeybees and opens a new research pathway to their use as active biosamplers for anthropogenic pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Edo
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, E-28871 Madrid, Spain
| | - Amadeo R Fernández-Alba
- Chemistry and Physics Department, University of Almeria, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), 04120 Almería, Spain
| | | | | | - Francisca Fernández-Piñas
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Roberto Rosal
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, E-28871 Madrid, Spain.
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Effectiveness of Different Sample Treatments for the Elemental Characterization of Bees and Beehive Products. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25184263. [PMID: 32957599 PMCID: PMC7570605 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25184263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Bee health and beehive products’ quality are compromised by complex interactions between multiple stressors, among which toxic elements play an important role. The aim of this study is to optimize and validate sensible and reliable analytical methods for biomonitoring studies and the quality control of beehive products. Four digestion procedures, including two systems (microwave oven and water bath) and different mixture reagents, were evaluated for the determination of the total content of 40 elements in bees and five beehive products (beeswax, honey, pollen, propolis and royal jelly) by using inductively coupled plasma mass and optical emission spectrometry. Method validation was performed by measuring a standard reference material and the recoveries for each selected matrix. The water bath-assisted digestion of bees and beehive products is proposed as a fast alternative to microwave-assisted digestion for all elements in biomonitoring studies. The present study highlights the possible drawbacks that may be encountered during the elemental analysis of these biological matrices and aims to be a valuable aid for the analytical chemist. Total elemental concentrations, determined in commercially available beehive products, are presented.
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Mohammed MEA. Factors Affecting the Physicochemical Properties and Chemical Composition of Bee’s Honey. FOOD REVIEWS INTERNATIONAL 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/87559129.2020.1810701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Elimam Ahamed Mohammed
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
- Unit of Bee Research and Honey Production, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
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21
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Transfer of Some Toxic Metals from Soil to Honey Depending on Bee Habitat Conditions. ACTA UNIVERSITATIS CIBINIENSIS. SERIES E: FOOD TECHNOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.2478/aucft-2020-0005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The transfer of toxic metals from soil to honey was studied based on two different areas of the Podkarpackie region located in the south-east part of Poland: U-urbanized and E-ecologically pure. The metal content was determined using the ICP-OES method with prior microwave mineralization of the soil, plant (goldenrod, dandelion, rapeseed, tilia and fir), bee bodies and honey samples collected from 10 sampling points (U-5 and E-5). The impact of soil pH on heavy metal mobility was also evaluated. It was found that Podkarpackie soils are less contaminated with heavy metals as compared to other regions of Poland and only in the case of cadmium an enhancement of the natural background level was observed. The migration of heavy metals, especially cadmium, in the soil-plant-bee-honey food chain was accelerated by soil acidity (p<0.05). The influence of human activity (region development) on heavy metals concentrations was not significant (p>0.05). Based on bioaccumulation factors, goldenrod and dandelion plants were confirmed as cadmium accumulators. It was also confirmed that the bodies of bees act as an effective barrier to the migration of heavy metals from the environment to honey, due to this, honey is free from these metals and safe for human consumption.
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Feldhaar H, Otti O. Pollutants and Their Interaction with Diseases of Social Hymenoptera. INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11030153. [PMID: 32121502 PMCID: PMC7142568 DOI: 10.3390/insects11030153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
Many insect species, including social insects, are currently declining in abundance and diversity. Pollutants such as pesticides, heavy metals, or airborne fine particulate matter from agricultural and industrial sources are among the factors driving this decline. While these pollutants can have direct detrimental effects, they can also result in negative interactive effects when social insects are simultaneously exposed to multiple stressors. For example, sublethal effects of pollutants can increase the disease susceptibility of social insects, and thereby jeopardize their survival. Here we review how pesticides, heavy metals, or airborne fine particulate matter interact with social insect physiology and especially the insects’ immune system. We then give an overview of the current knowledge of the interactive effects of these pollutants with pathogens or parasites. While the effects of pesticide exposure on social insects and their interactions with pathogens have been relatively well studied, the effects of other pollutants, such as heavy metals in soil or fine particulate matter from combustion, vehicular transport, agriculture, and coal mining are still largely unknown. We therefore provide an overview of urgently needed knowledge in order to mitigate the decline of social insects.
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Biomonitoring of Atmospheric Aerosol with the use of Apis mellifera and Pleurozium schreberi. CHEMISTRY-DIDACTICS-ECOLOGY-METROLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.2478/cdem-2019-0009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The aim of the carried out research was to assess atmospheric aerosol pollution levels in the area of three apiaries located in the Opole Province and to analyse heavy metals pollution in bee honey and western honey bees. Pleurozium schreberi moss was used in analysing atmospheric aerosol pollution with the active biomonitoring method, whereas heavy metals levels were determined with flame atomic absorption spectrometry method (F-AAS). Relative Accumulation Factors (RAF) were used in determining increases of analytes concentrations in the moss samples. As a result of the carried out study, the following conclusions have been reached: mosses are good bioindicators of environment pollution thanks to their sorption qualities, similarly to honey bees, which are a bioindicator of environment pollution. According to the Commission Regulation of European Union of 2015 regarding the maximum levels of lead in certain foods (honey), it should not exceed 0.1 mg/kg. On the basis of the carried out study it can be stated that the concentration of this analyte in the analysed honey was below the limit of quantification of the applied analytical method.
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24
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The concentration of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in honey: A global systematic review and meta-analysis and risk assessment. Trends Food Sci Technol 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tifs.2019.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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25
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Navarro-Hortal MD, Orantes-Bermejo FJ, Sánchez-González C, Varela-López A, Giampieri F, Torres Fernández-Piñar C, Serra-Bonvehí J, Forbes-Hernández TY, Reboredo-Rodríguez P, Llopis J, Aranda P, Battino M, Quiles JL. Industrial-Scale Decontamination Procedure Effects on the Content of Acaricides, Heavy Metals and Antioxidant Capacity of Beeswax. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24081518. [PMID: 30999695 PMCID: PMC6514912 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24081518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Beeswax is useful for the beekeeping sector but also for the agro-food, pharmaceutical or cosmetics sectors. Frequently, this bee product is contaminated with pesticides reducing its utility and causing the decline in its market. This study aimed to prove the effectiveness of an industrial-scale decontamination method in removing acaricides from beeswax. Chlorfenvinphos and coumaphos decrease was higher than 90%, whereas tau fluvalinate decrease was only 30%. No changes were observed in the beeswax content of hydrocarbons and monoesters, whereas a decrease in the concentrations of Ca, Fe, Zn, Hg, Mn and P, and an increase in the concentrations of As and Si were found after the decontamination. Filtration reduced total phenolics, flavonoids and the antioxidant capacity of the lipophilic extract. These results demonstrate that the industrial method used was as effective as the method previously tested on a laboratory scale. The study also contributes to a better knowledge and characterization of beeswax, specially related to trace and ultra-trace elements and antioxidant capacity. Moreover, it offers the chance to further develop a method to effectively detect wax adulterations based on the chemical elements profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- María D Navarro-Hortal
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology "José Mataix Verdú", Department of Physiology, Biomedical Research Center, University of Granada, Avda del Conocimiento sn., 18100 Armilla, Granada, Spain.
| | | | - Cristina Sánchez-González
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology "José Mataix Verdú", Department of Physiology, Biomedical Research Center, University of Granada, Avda del Conocimiento sn., 18100 Armilla, Granada, Spain.
| | - Alfonso Varela-López
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology "José Mataix Verdú", Department of Physiology, Biomedical Research Center, University of Granada, Avda del Conocimiento sn., 18100 Armilla, Granada, Spain.
| | - Francesca Giampieri
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche Specialistiche ed Odontostomatologiche-Sez, Biochimica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, 60131 Ancona, Italy.
| | | | - Josep Serra-Bonvehí
- Research & Development Department, Mielso, S.A., Pol. Industrial 'El Mijares', C/. Industria 1, 12550 Almassora (Castelló), Spain.
| | - Tamara Y Forbes-Hernández
- Nutrition and Food Science Group, Department of Analytical and Food Chemistry, CITACA, CACTI, University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain.
| | - Patricia Reboredo-Rodríguez
- Nutrition and Food Science Group, Department of Analytical and Food Chemistry, CITACA, CACTI, University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain.
| | - Juan Llopis
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology "José Mataix Verdú", Department of Physiology, Biomedical Research Center, University of Granada, Avda del Conocimiento sn., 18100 Armilla, Granada, Spain.
| | - Pilar Aranda
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology "José Mataix Verdú", Department of Physiology, Biomedical Research Center, University of Granada, Avda del Conocimiento sn., 18100 Armilla, Granada, Spain.
| | - Maurizio Battino
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche Specialistiche ed Odontostomatologiche-Sez, Biochimica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, 60131 Ancona, Italy.
- Nutrition and Food Science Group, Department of Analytical and Food Chemistry, CITACA, CACTI, University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain.
| | - José L Quiles
- Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology "José Mataix Verdú", Department of Physiology, Biomedical Research Center, University of Granada, Avda del Conocimiento sn., 18100 Armilla, Granada, Spain.
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Gómez-Ramos MM, Ucles S, Ferrer C, Fernández-Alba AR, Hernando MD. Exploration of environmental contaminants in honeybees using GC-TOF-MS and GC-Orbitrap-MS. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 647:232-244. [PMID: 30081361 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Revised: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This study reports an analytical approach by gas chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) intended to be used for investigation of non-targeted environmental contaminants in honeybees. The approach involves a generic extraction and analysis with two GC-HRMS systems: time-of-flight and Orbitrap analyzers, GC-TOF-MS, and GC-Orbitrap-MS operated in electron-impact ionization (EI) mode. The workflow for screening of non-targeted contaminants consisted of initial peak detection by deconvolution and matching the first-stage mass spectra EI-MS with a nominal mass spectral library. To gain further confidence in the structural characterization of the contaminants under investigation, molecular formula of representative ions (molecular and fragment ions) was provided for those with an accurate mass scoring (error < 5 ppm). This methology was applied for screening environmental contaminants in 75 samples of adult honeybee. This approach has provided the tentative identification of environmental contaminants belonging to different chemical groups, among them, PAHs, phthalates and synthetic musks. Residues of veterinary treatments used in apiculture were also detected in the honeybee samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Gómez-Ramos
- Chemistry and Physics Department, University of Almeria, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - S Ucles
- Chemistry and Physics Department, University of Almeria, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - C Ferrer
- Chemistry and Physics Department, University of Almeria, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - A R Fernández-Alba
- Chemistry and Physics Department, University of Almeria, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3), 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - M D Hernando
- National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology - INIA, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
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Ptaszyńska AA, Gancarz M, Hurd PJ, Borsuk G, Wiącek D, Nawrocka A, Strachecka A, Załuski D, Paleolog J. Changes in the bioelement content of summer and winter western honeybees (Apis mellifera) induced by Nosema ceranae infection. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0200410. [PMID: 30044811 PMCID: PMC6060561 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Proper bioelement content is crucial for the health and wellness of all
organisms, including honeybees. However, the situation is more complicated in
these important pollinators due to the fact that they change their physiology
during winter in order to survive the relatively harsh climatic conditions.
Additionally, honeybees are susceptible to many diseases such as
nosemosis, which during winter can depopulate an entire
colony. Here we show that summer bees have a markedly higher content of
important bioelements such as: Al, Cu, P, V, (physiologically essential); Ca, K,
Mg, (electrolytic); Cr, Se, Zn, (enzymatic); As, Hg, (toxic). In contrast, a
markedly higher content of: Fe (physiologically essential); Mn, Ni, (enzymatic);
Cd (exclusively toxic) were present in winter bees. Importantly,
N. ceranae infection resulted in an
increased honeybee bioelement content of: S, Sr (physiologically essential) and
Pb (exclusively toxic), whereas the Nosema-free worker-bees had
higher amounts of B and Si (physiologically essential). We propose that the
shortages of Fe, Mn, Ni, and Na observed in Nosema-infected
bees, could be the reason for the higher mortality of
Nosema-infected bees throughout overwintering. In addition, a
shortage of bioelements such as B and Si may be a reason for accelerated aging
in foragers that is observed following N.
ceranae infection. Therefore, in winter, bioelement content
was more strongly affected by N. ceranae
infection than during summer. We found a strong correlation between the
bioelement content of bees and seasons (summer or winter) and also with
Nosema infection. We conclude that the balance of
bioelements in the honeybee is altered by both seasonal affects and by
Nosema infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta A. Ptaszyńska
- Department of Botany and Mycology, Institute of Biology and Biochemistry,
Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin,
Poland
- * E-mail:
| | - Marek Gancarz
- Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lublin,
Poland
| | - Paul J. Hurd
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of
London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Grzegorz Borsuk
- Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Apidologie, Institute of
Biological Basis of Animal Production, Faculty of Biology, Animal Sciences and
Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin,
Poland
| | - Dariusz Wiącek
- Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lublin,
Poland
| | | | - Aneta Strachecka
- Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Apidologie, Institute of
Biological Basis of Animal Production, Faculty of Biology, Animal Sciences and
Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin,
Poland
| | - Daniel Załuski
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus
Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Jerzy Paleolog
- Department of Zoology, Ecology and Wildlife Management, Life Science
University in Lublin, Lublin, Poland
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Zaric NM, Deljanin I, Ilijević K, Stanisavljević L, Ristić M, Gržetić I. Assessment of spatial and temporal variations in trace element concentrations using honeybees ( Apis mellifera) as bioindicators. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5197. [PMID: 30038861 PMCID: PMC6052853 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
With the increase in anthropogenic activities metal pollution is also increased and needs to be closely monitored. In this study honeybees were used as bioindicators to monitor metal pollution. Metal pollution in honeybees represents pollution present in air, water and soil. Concentrations of As, Cs, Hg, Mo, Sb, Se, U and V were measured. The aim of this study was to assess spatial and temporal variations of metal concentrations in honeybees. Samples of honeybees were taken at five different regions in Serbia (Belgrade - BG, Pančevo - PA, Pavliš - PV, Mesić - MS, and Kostolac - TPP) during 2014. Spatial variations were observed for Sb, which had higher concentrations in BG compared to all other regions, and for U, with higher concentrations in the TPP region. High concentrations of Sb in BG were attributed to intense traffic, while higher U concentrations in the TPP region are due to the vicinity of coal fired power plants. In order to assess temporal variations at two locations (PA and PV) samples were taken during July and September of 2014 and June, July, August and September of 2015. During 2014 observing months of sampling higher concentrations in July were detected for Sb and U in BG, which is attributed to lifecycle of plants and honeybees. During the same year higher concentrations in September were observed for As, Sb in PA and Hg in PV. This is due to high precipitation during the peak of bee activity in spring/summer of 2014. No differences between months of sampling were detected during 2015. Between 2014 and 2015 statistically significant differences were observed for Hg, Mo and V; all elements had higher concentrations in 2014. This is in accordance with the trend of reduction of metal concentrations in the bodies of honeybees throughout the years in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nenad M Zaric
- Innovation Center of the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Isidora Deljanin
- Innovation Center of the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | | | - Mirjana Ristić
- Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ivan Gržetić
- Faculty of Chemistry, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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