Mineral content and physico-chemical parameters of honey from North regions of Algeria

Horse Whole Blood Trace Elements from Different Sicily Areas: Biomonitoring of Environmental Risk

Horses are excellent bioindicators for the assessment of environmental pollution. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels and potential bioaccumulation of 28 mineral elements in 75 horse whole blood samples collected from five pollution-prone areas of Sicily, Italy. A direct mercury analyzer (DMA-80) was used for Hg determination, and an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) for all other elements. A one-way ANOVA test, followed by Bonferroni's multiple comparison for post hoc comparison, was applied to assess statistically significant differences between mineral elements and the five experimental groups. The levels of mineral elements in hay and concentrate were below the limits set by Regulation No. 744/2012. The mineral content of whole blood samples was slightly influenced by the region of origin of the horse. p values < 0.05 were statistically meaningful. However, the concentrations of mineral elements in horses' whole blood remained within reference ranges. In conclusion, the present study shows that the mineral content does not represent a toxicological risk for the analyzed horses. In addition, the study areas did not appear to show a high mineral element contamination.

Study of Physicochemical Quality and Organic Contamination in Algerian Honey

Honey is a natural product extensively consumed in the world for its nutritional and healthy properties. However, residues of pesticides and environmental contaminants can compromise its quality. For this reason, the physicochemical parameters, and the organic contamination of monofloral and multifloral honey from three regions of Algeria (Tiaret, Laghouat, and Tindouf) were monitored to evaluate the quality of the honey and its safety for consumers. In general, the results obtained from the physicochemical analyses were in line with the EU standards. In terms of contamination, pesticides authorised and used in Algerian agriculture (metalaxyl-M and cyromazine), as well as a banned pesticide (carbaryl), were found in almost all the samples. However, only the concentration of cyromazine was higher than the relative EU maximum residue levels. PCB 180, PCB 189, anthracene, fluorene, and phenanthrene were mainly detected. All the honey shows traces of DiBP, DBP, DEHP, and DEHT, but no traces of bisphenols were found. Moreover, according to the dietary exposure assessment, a small amount of Algerian honey can be safely consumed. Overall, the data from this study should motivate the Algerian government to enhance their monitoring activities in beekeeping and to find solutions for implementing more sustainable agricultural practices harmonising with international legislation.

Botanical origin and elemental content of Turkish honey: Implications for health risks from essential and non-essential elements

Honey, which is popular for its taste and health benefits, can pose health risks due to excessive levels of essential and non-essential elements. Turkey's unique geographical location and biodiversity have made it a major player in the global honey industry. This study analysed Turkish honey samples to determine their botanical origin and elemental content, and to assess non-carcinogenic risks associated with their consumption. Twelve samples were classified as monofloral, while the rest were considered multifloral. The results showed that the levels of elements in the honey samples varied significantly depending on the plant source and geographical location (p < 0.05). However, the health risk assessment for both adults and children indicated that the levels of these elements do not pose a health risk. Principal component -analysis has revealed a correlation among the elements present in honey samples. Overall, the risk of exposure to toxic elements in honey is low unless consumed excessively.

Lead exposure from honey: meta-analysis and risk assessment for the Arab region

The Codex Alimentarius Commission has adopted a maximum level for lead in honey (0.1 mg/kg). Despite representing a population of more than half a billion, exposure and risk assessments for lead specific to the Arab region are lacking. The aim of this work was to collect analytical data for lead in honey available in Arab countries and to assess the risk caused by exposure to lead from these samples for local consumers. A regional mean lead concentration in honey, obtained through a meta-analysis of 57 studies, was used in deterministic risk assessments for adults (nephrotoxicity and cardiovascular effects) and young children (developmental neurotoxicity). A regional pooled mean concentration of 0.12 mg/kg [95%CI: 0.07-0.21] (0.13 mg/kg, if non-detects are considered at their highest possible value) was obtained. Margins of exposure of 363 [71-17182] and 865 [168-40909] were calculated for adults, and of 48 [9-2273] for children, indicating potential concern for the latter population subset. These values were produced using GEMS consumption data, and considering the same intake for both children and adults, potentially overestimating the risk for children. Nevertheless, food competent authorities should consider measures to reduce lead concentration in honey available for sale in the region to prevent trade constraints and to better protect vulnerable populations.

Graphical Discrimination of New Zealand Honey from International Honey Using Elemental Analysis

This study investigated the potential of utilising the elemental fingerprinting of honey to differentiate New Zealand (NZ) honey from that of international origin. Twenty elements were analysed by ICP-MS in 352 honeys from 34 various countries. Of these, 323 honeys (245 New Zealand honeys, 78 international) and two subsets of data (NZ and European origin, n = 306, and, NZ and Denmark/Germany, n = 280) were visualised using principal component analysis (PCA). For the NZ/Europe subset, 42.2% of data was explained in the first two principal components. Statistical classification rules were also derived using linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and decision tree analysis. Various combinations of elements were explored for classification, considering the effect of soil-derived elements and those from anthropogenic sources. A high degree of accuracy (at least 90%) for the characterisation of New Zealand honey was observed for all statistical models, showing the robustness of these analyses. When using decision tree analysis to distinguish New Zealand samples from international samples, a tree with five terminal nodes (using Cs, Ba and Rb) was created with 92.4% accuracy. This work has demonstrated that elemental fingerprints of honey are a promising tool for categorising New Zealand honey from other geographical locations.

Evaluation of trace metallic element levels in coffee by icp-ms: a comparative study among different origins, forms, and packaging types and consumer risk assessment

Trace elements (TE) contamination of foods and beverages constitutes a public health issue. In this context, the main objective of this study was to determine metals and metalloids content in coffee and to assess the health risks associated with contaminated coffee consumption. To this end, 44 samples of coffee from different origins, forms, and packaging types were analyzed. TE analysis was performed by ICP-MS after digestion. The data analysis was based on principal components analysis (PCA) and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Health risk assessment was determined by the estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and hazard index (HI). The findings showed that TE levels in coffee varied widely. The highest levels were related to aluminum (Al) (59.88 ± 54.86 mg/kg), manganese (Mn) (16.26 ± 24.59 mg/kg), copper (Cu) (11.60 ± 11.55 mg/kg), and cadmium (Cd) (9.92 ± 10.32 mg/kg). In terms of coffee form and packaging type, a significant difference (P < 0.0001) was observed in nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co), Cu, Mn, and Al content. The highest EDI was found in Al (0.0109 mg/kg BW/day) in ground coffee packaged in capsules. In terms of chronic daily intake (CDI), Cd and Al were above the reference dose (RfD). THQ of these elements were greater than 1.0, and HI was above the value of 1.0 in different forms of coffee. More interdisciplinary research on the relationships between the metal concentrations in coffee samples and those in feed, water, and soil would be quite interesting.

Monitoring Moroccan Honeys: Physicochemical Properties and Contamination Pattern

The physicochemical traits and an array of organic and inorganic contaminants were monitored in monofloral honeys (i.e., jujube [Ziziphus lotus], sweet orange [Citrus sinensis], PGI Euphorbia [Euphorbia resinifera] and Globularia alyphum) from the Moroccan Béni Mellal-Khénifra region (i.e., Khénifra, Beni Méllal, Azlal and Fquih Ben Salah provinces). Moroccan honeys were in line with the physicochemical standards set by the European Union. However, a critical contamination pattern has been outlined. In fact, jujube, sweet orange, and PGI Euphorbia honeys contained pesticides, such as acephate, dimethoate, diazinon, alachlor, carbofuran and fenthion sulfoxide, higher than the relative EU Maximum Residue Levels. The banned 2,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB118) and 2,2',3,4,4',5,5'-heptachlorobiphenyl (PCB180) were detected in all samples and quantified in jujube, sweet orange and PGI Euphorbia honeys; while polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), such as chrysene and fluorene, stood out for their higher contents in jujube and sweet orange honeys. Considering plasticizers, all honeys showed an excessive amount of dibutyl phthalate (DBP), when (improperly) considering the relative EU Specific Migration Limit. Furthermore, sweet orange, PGI Euphorbia and G. alypum honeys were characterized by Pb exceeding the EU Maximum Level. Overall, data from this study may encourage Moroccan governmental bodies to strengthen their monitoring activity in beekeeping and to find suitable solutions for implementing more sustainable agricultural practices.

Valorization of Traditional Alcoholic Beverages: The Study of the Sicilian Amarena Wine during Bottle Aging

Traditional alcoholic beverages have always been part of the Mediterranean culture and, lately, they have been re-evaluated to valorize both the territory and local customs. In this study, the Amarena wine, a fortified wine included in the national list of the traditional agri-food products, was characterized during bottle aging for oenological parameters, chromaticity, volatiles, and inorganic elements. Then, experimental data were visually interpreted by a principal component analysis (PCA). PCA revealed that most of oenological parameters (i.e., alcoholic grade, total dry extract, sugars, organic acids, and phenolic compounds) had a scarce discriminating power. Additionally, ethyl esters were only present in younger products, while remaining at quite constant levels. Conversely, certain metals (i.e., Mg, Na, Mn, Zn, and Cu), chromatic properties, and pH differentiated older Amarena bottles from the younger counterpart. Particularly, acetaldehyde and furanic compounds proved to be valid aging markers. A sensorial analysis highlighted that fruity and floral odors and flavors characterized younger beverages, while dried fruity, nutty, and spicy notes were displayed by older products, along with the valuable attribute of “oxidized” typically observed in aged Sherry wines. Overall, this study may encourage the production and commercialization of the Amarena wine, thus preserving the cultural heritage of the Mediterranean area.

Chemical Characterization of Different Products from the Tunisian Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill

Various dried (by-)products from the Tunisian O. ficus-indica were elucidated for their proximate composition, fatty acid (FA) composition, inorganic elements, sugars, and polyphenols. Nopal and prickly pear peel and seeds were abundant in fiber (respectively, 28.39, 12.54, and 16.28%). Seeds had also high protein (17.34%) and may be source of an edible oil, due to lipids (9.65%) poor in saturated FAs (14.12%) and rich in linoleic acid (61.11%). Nopal and peel showed the highest levels of Mg (493.57 and 345.19 mg/100 g), K (6949.57 and 1820.83 mg/100 g), Mn (59.73 and 46.86 mg/Kg) and Fe (23.15 and 15.23 mg/Kg), while the fruit pulp predominantly constituted of sugars, glucose and arabinose being predominant (42.57 and 13.56 g/100 g). Total polyphenols widely varied among the Opuntia products (108.36-4785.36 mg GAE/100 g), being mainly represented by hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic acids, and flavonoids as well. In particular, peel may be revalorized for these valuable bioactives, including 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (484.95 mg/100 g), cinnamic acid (318.95 mg/100 g), rutin (818.94 mg/100 g), quercetin (605.28 mg/100 g), and several isorhamnetin and kaempferol glycosides. Overall, the Tunisian prickly pear cactus could encourage a sustainable production, an effective waste management, and may provide several benefits for human health, in accordance with the model of the Mediterranean diet.

Investigation of inorganic elemental content of honey from regions of North Island, New Zealand

Determination of geographical origin of honey is important to consumers to confirm authenticity. This study investigated the elemental fingerprint of 181 honey samples collected from apiary sites in six regions of North Island, New Zealand to determine if differences were observed due to region of collection or land use surrounding the hive (e.g. agricultural, rural, urban). Using principal component analysis, soil related elements (Ca, K, Mg, Mn, Na) provided 75.2% discrimination of samples in the first two principal components. Overall, low concentrations of heavy metals were observed; lead was present in close proximity to highly trafficked roads (28.1% of samples; 9.50-76.5 µg kg^-1) and cadmium was primarily present in honey collected from agricultural land in the Waikato (<51.6 µg kg^-1). The use of an elemental fingerprint of New Zealand honey may be advantageous to determine the geographical origin compared to honey produced from other countries.

Discrimination of Tunisian Honey by Mineral and Trace Element Chemometrics Profiling

The concentrations of 19 chemical elements have been determined in 36 honey samples of different botanical (wildflower, eucalyptus, eucalyptus red flowers, prickly pears, lemon blossom, thyme, almond, rosemary and jujube) honeys from the three geographical areas of Tunisia (Sidi Bouzid, Nabeul and Sfax) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The aim of this work was to use the multielement analysis together with chemometric tools to verify the botanical and the geographical origin of honeys. The correlation on the basis of mineral element content between the honey samples and their botanical and/or geographical origins was in some measure achieved. The data collected on the samples were also used to evaluate the nutritional quality and the potential health risks associated with elements via consumption of the Tunisian honey. According to the results obtained, the intake of essential elements was small, and the potential health risks associated with toxic or potentially toxic elements via consumption of this food were overall insignificant.