Determination of Cd and Pb in Honey by SF‐ICP‐MS: Validation Figures and Uncertainty of Results

Mass Spectrometry Characterization of Honeydew Honey: A Critical Review

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.

Rare earth elements in marine and terrestrial matrices of Northwestern Italy: Implications for food safety and human health

Rare earth elements (REEs) are central in several critical technologies; their use is constantly increasing as is their release into the environment. For this reason, it is important to investigate REE concentrations in different matrices to evaluate human exposure and environmental risk of these emerging contaminants. REEs were measured by ICP-MS in matrices of terrestrial (plant feed, fruit, honey, wildlife livers) and marine origin (seaweeds, zooplankton, bivalves, fish) collected from Northwestern Italy. Highest REE concentrations were measured at low trophic levels, both in terrestrial and marine environments, such as plants (ΣREE 1.8 mg kg^-1) and seaweed (ΣREE 12 mg kg^-1), the major source of exposure and transfer of REEs to food webs. REE concentrations were several orders of magnitude lower in fruit, honey, and livers from terrestrial wildlife, suggesting a negligible risk of exposure by these matrices. Marine biota, such as bivalves (ΣREE 0.16 mg kg^-1) and fish (ΣREE 0.21 mg kg^-1) may constitute a pathway for human or animal dietary exposure. The study confirmed that REEs have low potential for biomagnification, but instead are subject to trophic dilution. However, given the numerous sources of dietary introduction of REEs, they should be monitored for a possible harmful cumulative effect. Owing to the scarcity of data regarding REEs worldwide, our results contribute to assessment of the occurrence of these emerging contaminants.

As, Cr, Cd, and Pb in Bee Products from a Polish Industrialized Region

Bee pollen and bee bread from stationary apiaries in the southwest Polish Legnica-Glogow copper district (LGOM) were analyzed for Cr, Pb, Cd and As by ICP-AES. Their concentrations in both products were As > Cr > Pb > Cd. Concentrations in bee pollen were higher than in bee bread. Average Cr, Pb, As and Cd concentrations in bee products were 0.138, 0.093, 0.325, and 0.019 mg kg−1, respectively. Chromium was the most problematic element in bee pollen because its concentration limit was exceeded in more than 50% of the samples. Differences in Cd level between bee pollen and bread were significant (p ≤ 0.05)

The One Health Perspective in Trace Elements Biomonitoring

Health risks in both animals and humans are associated with chronic exposures to levels of trace elements (TE) eliciting toxic and/or antinutritional effects, including excess exposures to some essential elements. Interferences with essential TE may also lead to secondary nutritional deficiencies and/or imbalances. Although research is still required, biomarkers of exposure, including bioavailability, for TE are established tools for human biomonitoring that can also be applied to animal surveillance. Biomarkers of effect as well as, where available, of susceptibility and bioavailability are necessary to understand whether an ongoing exposure may pose a current or future health concern. In the field of animal health the use of biomarkers is less developed and less widespread than in human health; however, under a One Health perspective, animal biomonitoring can provide important information on the interfaces among humans, animals, and the environment, supporting the prevention and management of health risks. Therefore, a transfer of knowledge from human biomonitoring to farm or free-ranging animals is critical in a risk assessment framework from farm to humans. Advantages and critical aspects in designing and conducting integrative biomonitoring activities in humans and animals were critically reviewed focusing on biomarkers of exposure, effect, susceptibility, and bioavailability for toxic and essential TE. Highlighted aspects include TE metabolism, bioaccessibility, and interactions. Farm or free-ranging animals may provide noninvasive matrices suitable for evaluating animal welfare, environmental stressors, food safety, and potential risks for human health, as proposed by the interdisciplinary concept of One Health.