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Varga T, Sajtos Z, Baranyai E, Lisztes-Szabó Z, Ragyák Á, Molnár M, Jull AJT, Szabó S, Kosdi KH, Futó I, Kaste JM. Isotopic study of honey documents widespread plant uptake of old carbon in North America. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 947:174691. [PMID: 38992383 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
A comprehensive understanding of carbon cycling pathways in the soil-plant system is needed to develop models that accurately predict global carbon reservoir responses to anthropogenic perturbations. Honey is a carbon-rich natural food produced by wild and managed pollinating insects all over the world; the composition of a single sample is a function of millions of pollinator-plant interactions. We studied the 13C/12C and Δ14C of 121 honey samples sourced from the United States, and found a significant older carbon contribution. The effect is observed from 25 to 45° latitude, not correlated with 13C/12C, and consistent with a previously published study on European honeys. In specific cases, the measured values were up to 20 ‰ (Δ14C) higher than the expected atmospheric 14CO2 value for the given year, which shows a significant older carbon contribution. We hypothesize that the older carbon is from plant liquids derived in part from soil carbon or stored nonstructural carbohydrates from plants, which shifts the calibrated age of the sample by 5 years or more. Our work is the first to describe the widespread occurrence of older carbon in honey and shows that radiocarbon measurements can be a powerful tool to trace carbon allocations in terrestrial food webs and detect the atmosphere-soil-plant carbon cycle contributions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamás Varga
- International Radiocarbon AMS Competence and Training (INTERACT) Center, HUN-REN Institute for Nuclear Research, H-4026, Bem square 18/c, Debrecen, Hungary; Isotoptech Ltd., H-4026, Bem square 18/c, Debrecen, Hungary.
| | - Zsófi Sajtos
- Atomic Spectroscopy Partner Laboratory, Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem Square 1, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Edina Baranyai
- Atomic Spectroscopy Partner Laboratory, Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem Square 1, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsa Lisztes-Szabó
- International Radiocarbon AMS Competence and Training (INTERACT) Center, HUN-REN Institute for Nuclear Research, H-4026, Bem square 18/c, Debrecen, Hungary; Department of Botany, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen 4032, Hungary
| | - Ágota Ragyák
- Atomic Spectroscopy Partner Laboratory, Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem Square 1, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; University of Debrecen, Doctoral School of Chemistry, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Mihály Molnár
- International Radiocarbon AMS Competence and Training (INTERACT) Center, HUN-REN Institute for Nuclear Research, H-4026, Bem square 18/c, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - A J Timothy Jull
- International Radiocarbon AMS Competence and Training (INTERACT) Center, HUN-REN Institute for Nuclear Research, H-4026, Bem square 18/c, Debrecen, Hungary; Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; University of Arizona, AMS Laboratory, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Szilárd Szabó
- Department of Physical Geography and Geoinformatics, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Krisztina Hajduné Kosdi
- International Radiocarbon AMS Competence and Training (INTERACT) Center, HUN-REN Institute for Nuclear Research, H-4026, Bem square 18/c, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - István Futó
- International Radiocarbon AMS Competence and Training (INTERACT) Center, HUN-REN Institute for Nuclear Research, H-4026, Bem square 18/c, Debrecen, Hungary; Isotoptech Ltd., H-4026, Bem square 18/c, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - James M Kaste
- Geology Department, William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA, USA
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Simon A, Barradas NP, Jeynes C, Romolo FS. Addressing forensic science challenges with nuclear analytical techniques - A review. Forensic Sci Int 2024; 358:111767. [PMID: 37385904 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2023.111767] [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] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
We review the application of Nuclear Analytical Techniques (NATs) to forensic problems for the first time. NATs include neutron activation analysis (NAA), carried out in nuclear reactors for elemental analysis; accelerator-based techniques, mainly Ion Beam Analysis (IBA) for elemental and molecular analysis; and Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) for dating of traces of forensic interest by "radiocarbon dating" and other related methods. Applications include analysis of drugs of abuse, food fraud, counterfeit medicine, gunshot residue, glass fragments, forgery of art objects and documents, and human material. In some applications only the NATs are able to provide relevant information for forensic purposes. This review not only includes a wide collection of forensic applications, but also illustrates the wide availability worldwide of NATs, opening up opportunities for an increased use of NATs in routine forensic casework.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Simon
- International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria.
| | | | - C Jeynes
- University of Surrey Ion Beam Centre, Guildford, England, UK
| | - F S Romolo
- Università degli Studi di Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
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Farkas Á, Horváth G, Kuzma M, Mayer M, Kocsis M. Phenolic compounds in Hungarian acacia, linden, milkweed and goldenrod honeys. Curr Res Food Sci 2023; 6:100526. [PMID: 37333501 PMCID: PMC10276249 DOI: 10.1016/j.crfs.2023.100526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Honey is a valuable source of nutrients, minerals and phenolic compounds. Phenolic acids and flavonoids are associated with health benefits of honey and can serve as markers for distinguishing honey types. This study aimed at determining the phenolic profile of four Hungarian unifloral honeys that were not analyzed previously. After verifying their botanical origin with melissopalynological analysis, total reducing capacity was determined with Folin-Ciocalteau method, and phenolic composition was analyzed with HPLC-DAD-MS. From the 25 phenolic substances examined, pinobanksin was the most abundant, followed by chrysin, p-hydroxybenzoic acid and galangin. Quercetin and p-syringaldehyde were detected only in acacia honey, which contained higher levels of chrysin and hesperetin compared to the other three honeys. Milkweed and linden honeys displayed higher levels of caffeic, chlorogenic, ferulic and p-coumaric acids compared to acacia and goldenrod honeys. Taxifolin may serve as a unique marker compound of milkweed honey. Goldenrod honey contained the highest level of syringic acid. Principal component analysis supported the indicator role of polyphenols in honey identification, discriminating clearly the four unifloral honeys. Our results suggest that phenolic profiles may be useful to find markers of honey's floral origin, but geographical origin can strongly influence the composition of characteristic compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ágnes Farkas
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Pécs, 7624, Pécs, Rókus str. 4., Hungary
| | - Györgyi Horváth
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Pécs, 7624, Pécs, Rókus str. 4., Hungary
| | - Mónika Kuzma
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624, Pécs, Szigeti str. 12., Hungary
| | - Mátyás Mayer
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624, Pécs, Szigeti str. 12., Hungary
| | - Marianna Kocsis
- Department of Agricultural Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Pécs, 7624, Pécs, Ifjúság str. 6., Hungary
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Vazquez-Quintal P, Barrón-Zambrano J, Medina-Peralta S, Moguel-Ordoñez Y, Nelson J, Muñoz-Rodríguez D. Elemental Analysis of Propolis Tinctures by Microwave Plasma – Atomic Emission Spectrometry (MP-AES). ANAL LETT 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/00032719.2022.2163401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jesús Barrón-Zambrano
- Facultad de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México
| | | | - Yolanda Moguel-Ordoñez
- Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias, Mocochá, Yucatán, México
| | | | - David Muñoz-Rodríguez
- Facultad de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México
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Functional Yogurt Fortified with Honey Produced by Feeding Bees Natural Plant Extracts for Controlling Human Blood Sugar Level. PLANTS 2022; 11:plants11111391. [PMID: 35684164 PMCID: PMC9182764 DOI: 10.3390/plants11111391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The human blood sugar level is important and should be controlled to avoid any damage to nerves and blood vessels which could lead to heart disease and many other problems. Several market-available treatments for diabetes could be used, such as insulin therapy, synthetic drugs, herbal drugs, and transdermal patches, to help control blood sugar. In a double-blind human study, four kinds of honey from bees fed on acacia, sea buckthorn, chlorella alga, and green walnut extracts were used in fortifying yogurt for controlling human blood sugar. The impact of a previously fortified honey was investigated on blood levels and other parameters of healthy individuals in a human study with 60 participants. The participants received 150 mL of yogurt mixed with 30 g of honey every morning for 21 days. Before and after the study period, the basic blood parameters were tested, and the participants filled out standardized self-report questionnaires. Acacia honey was the traditional honey used as a control; the special honey products were produced by the patented technology. The consumption of green walnut honey had a significant effect on the morning blood sugar level, which decreased for every participant in the group (15 people). The average blood sugar level at the beginning in the walnut group was 4.81 mmol L−1, whereas the value after 21 days was 3.73 mmol L−1. The total decrease level of the individuals was about 22.45% (1.08 mmol L−1). Concerning the sea buckthorn and chlorella alga-based honey product groups, there was no significant change in the blood sugar level, which were recorded at 4.91 and 5.28 mmol L−1 before treatment and 5.28 and 5.07 mmol L−1 after, respectively. In the case of the acacia honey group, there was a slight significant decrease as well, it was 4.77 mmol L−1 at the beginning and 4.27 mmol L−1 at the end with a total decrease rate of 10.48%. It could thus be concluded that the active ingredients of green walnut can significantly decrease the blood sugar level in humans. This study, as a first report, is not only a new innovative process to add herbs or healthy active ingredients to honey but also shows how these beneficial ingredients aid the honey in controlling the human blood sugar level.
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Sajtos Z, Varga T, Gajdos Z, Burik P, Csontos M, Lisztes-Szabó Z, Jull AJT, Molnár M, Baranyai E. Rape, sunflower and forest honeys for long-term environmental monitoring: Presence of indicator elements and non-photosynthetic carbon in old Hungarian samples. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 808:152044. [PMID: 34856271 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152044] [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: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we present the time-dependent elemental composition and AMS radiocarbon dating results of 36 rape, sunflower and forest honey samples, collected between 1985 and 2018 in geographically close locations. Based on the elemental information, we conclude that bee products regardless the type provide useful environmental information of the previous decades, such as the decreasing trend of airborne Pb emission can be traced. However, radiocarbon results agree less with the atmospheric bomb peak. Random offsets were observed in the specific radiocarbon activity of the honey samples indicating that rape, sunflower and forest honey samples are not as reliable materials for radiocarbon dating as acacia honeys. The radiocarbon results show that the rape, sunflower and forest honey samples can contain non-photosynthetic carbon, presumably derived from the soil. Thus, the complex application of honey samples for environmental reconstruction requires the species-separated investigation of bee products to reveal their adaptability for assessment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsófi Sajtos
- Atomic Spectroscopy Partner Laboratory, Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem Square 1, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; University of Debrecen, Doctoral School of Chemistry, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Tamás Varga
- Isotope Climatology and Environmental Research Centre, Institute for Nuclear Research, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), Debrecen H-4001, P.O Box 51, Hungary; University of Debrecen, Doctoral School of Physics, Debrecen, Hungary.
| | - Zita Gajdos
- Atomic Spectroscopy Partner Laboratory, Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem Square 1, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Petra Burik
- Atomic Spectroscopy Partner Laboratory, Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem Square 1, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Máté Csontos
- University of Debrecen, Doctoral School of Chemistry, Debrecen, Hungary; Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem Square 1, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsa Lisztes-Szabó
- Isotope Climatology and Environmental Research Centre, Institute for Nuclear Research, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), Debrecen H-4001, P.O Box 51, Hungary
| | - A J Timothy Jull
- Isotope Climatology and Environmental Research Centre, Institute for Nuclear Research, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), Debrecen H-4001, P.O Box 51, Hungary; Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; University of Arizona, AMS Laboratory, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Mihály Molnár
- Isotope Climatology and Environmental Research Centre, Institute for Nuclear Research, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), Debrecen H-4001, P.O Box 51, Hungary
| | - Edina Baranyai
- Atomic Spectroscopy Partner Laboratory, Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Debrecen, Egyetem Square 1, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary.
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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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Bomb 137Cs in modern honey reveals a regional soil control on pollutant cycling by plants. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1937. [PMID: 33782399 PMCID: PMC8007572 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22081-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
137Cs is a long-lived (30-year radioactive half-life) fission product dispersed globally by mid-20th century atmospheric nuclear weapons testing. Here we show that vegetation thousands of kilometers from testing sites continues to cycle 137Cs because it mimics potassium, and consequently, bees magnify this radionuclide in honey. There were no atmospheric weapons tests in the eastern United States, but most honey here has detectable 137Cs at >0.03 Bq kg−1, and in the southeastern U.S., activities can be >500 times higher. By measuring honey, we show regional patterns in the biogeochemical cycling of 137Cs and conclude that plants and animals receive disproportionally high exposure to ionizing radiation from 137Cs in low potassium soils. In several cases, the presence of 137Cs more than doubled the ionizing radiation from gamma and x-rays in the honey, indicating that despite its radioactive half-life, the environmental legacy of regional 137Cs pollution can persist for more than six decades. Radioactive 137Cs is a fission product remaining in the environment from mid-20th century nuclear testing. Here the authors show that vegetation thousands of kilometers from testing sites continues to cycle 137Cs, and consequently, bees magnify this contaminant in honey in regions with low soil potassium.
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Balaram V. Microwave plasma atomic emission spectrometry (MP-AES) and its applications – A critical review. Microchem J 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2020.105483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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