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Végh R, Csóka M, Sörös C, Sipos L. Underexplored food safety hazards of beekeeping products: Key knowledge gaps and suggestions for future research. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf 2024; 23:e13404. [PMID: 39136999 DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.13404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
These days, a growing consumer demand and scientific interest can be observed for nutraceuticals of natural origin, including apiculture products. Due to the growing emphasis on environmental protection, extensive research has been conducted on the pesticide and heavy metal contamination of bee products; however, less attention is devoted on other food safety aspects. In our review, scientific information on the less-researched food safety hazards of honey, bee bread, royal jelly, propolis, and beeswax are summarized. Bee products originating from certain plants may inherently contain phytotoxins, like pyrrolizidine alkaloids, tropane alkaloids, matrine alkaloids, grayanotoxins, gelsemium alkaloids, or tutin. Several case studies evidence that bee products can induce allergic responses to sensitive individuals, varying from mild to severe symptoms, including the potentially lethal anaphylaxis. Exposure to high temperature or long storage may lead to the formation of the potentially toxic 5-hydroxymethylfurfural. Persistent organic pollutants, radionuclides, and microplastics can potentially be transferred to bee products from contaminated environmental sources. And lastly, inappropriate beekeeping practices can lead to the contamination of beekeeping products with harmful microorganisms and mycotoxins. Our review demonstrates the necessity of applying good beekeeping practices in order to protect honeybees and consumers of their products. An important aim of our work is to identify key knowledge gaps regarding the food safety of apiculture products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Végh
- Department of Nutrition Science, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Mariann Csóka
- Department of Nutrition Science, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Csilla Sörös
- Department of Food Chemistry and Analysis Institute of Food Science and Technology, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Sipos
- Department of Postharvest, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Commercial and Sensory Science, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Institute of Economics, Centre of Economic and Regional Studies, Hungarian Research Network (HUN-REN), Budapest, Hungary
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2
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Sawicki T, Surma M, Sadowska-Rociek A. Characteristics of contaminants in the polish-origin bee products and cancer risk assessment. Food Chem Toxicol 2023; 175:113693. [PMID: 36849088 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2023.113693] [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: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), furfural, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and pesticide residues, as well as assessment of cancer risk of the Polish-origin bee products. The bee product samples were prepared using a modified QuEChERS method, then PAHs and pesticides were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), neonicotinoids by high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD), and HMF and furfural by spectrophotometry (HPLC-UV/Vis). The results showed that the highest furfural content was found in bee bread from the northeast part of Poland; moreover, samples obtained from the same region were also characterized with a higher level of HMF. The total sum of PAHs ranged from 324.0 to 866.4 μg/kg; the highest content of PAH4 (the sum of benzo[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene and benzo[a]pyrene) was 21.0 μg/kg, but only benzo[a]anthracene and chrysene were detected in the samples. Imidacloprid and acetamiprid were found only in bee bread from the northeast part of Poland, while clothianidin was detected in honey samples. The acceptable cancer risk has been calculated for PAHs due to ingestion of honey, while increasing the risk of cancer was calculated for bee bread and bee pollen. Due to the high concentration of PAHs and excessively high recommended consumption dose, regular consumption of bee bread and pollen may pose a severe threat to human health and should be strictly limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Sawicki
- Department of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Food Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Ul. Słoneczna 45F, 10-719, Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Magdalena Surma
- Department of Plant Products Technology and Nutrition Hygiene, Faculty of Food Technology, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Ul. Balicka 122, 30-149, Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Sadowska-Rociek
- Department of Plant Products Technology and Nutrition Hygiene, Faculty of Food Technology, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Ul. Balicka 122, 30-149, Krakow, Poland
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3
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PAHs presence and source apportionment in honey samples: Fingerprint identification of rural and urban contamination by means of chemometric approach. Food Chem 2022; 382:132361. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.132361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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4
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Passarella S, Guerriero E, Quici L, Ianiri G, Cerasa M, Notardonato I, Protano C, Vitali M, Russo MV, De Cristofaro A, Avino P. Dataset of PAHs determined in home-made honey samples collected in Central Italy by means of DLLME-GC-MS and cluster analysis for studying the source apportionment. Data Brief 2022; 42:108136. [PMID: 35479420 PMCID: PMC9035647 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2022.108136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper would like to show all the data related to an intensive field campaign focused on the characterization of the Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) composition profile in almost 60 honey samples collected in Central Italy. The analytical data here reported are the base for a study aimed to identify the pollution sources in a region. 22 PAHs were analyzed by means of ultrasound-vortex-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid micro-extraction (DLLME) procedure followed by a triple quadrupole gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC-MS). A chemometrics approach has been carried out for evaluating all the data: in particular, principal component analysis and cluster analysis has been used both for the identification of the main natural/anthropogenic pollutants affecting a site and for evaluating the air quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Passarella
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences (DiAAA), University of Molise, via De Sanctis, I-86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Ettore Guerriero
- Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research (IIA), National Research Council (CNR), Rome Research Area-Montelibretti, I-00015 Monterotondo Scalo, Italy
| | - Luisangela Quici
- Department of Agricultural and Forest Sciences (DAFNE), University of Tuscia, Via San Camillo de Lellis, I-01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ianiri
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences (DiAAA), University of Molise, via De Sanctis, I-86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Marina Cerasa
- Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research (IIA), National Research Council (CNR), Rome Research Area-Montelibretti, I-00015 Monterotondo Scalo, Italy
| | - Ivan Notardonato
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences (DiAAA), University of Molise, via De Sanctis, I-86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Carmela Protano
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, p.le Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Vitali
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, p.le Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Vincenzo Russo
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences (DiAAA), University of Molise, via De Sanctis, I-86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Antonio De Cristofaro
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences (DiAAA), University of Molise, via De Sanctis, I-86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Pasquale Avino
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences (DiAAA), University of Molise, via De Sanctis, I-86100 Campobasso, Italy
- Corresponding author. @pasqavino
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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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6
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Nowak A, Nowak I. Review of harmful chemical pollutants of environmental origin in honey and bee products. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2021:1-23. [PMID: 34904474 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2021.2012752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Honey is a natural food with many pro-health properties, which comprises a wide variety of valuable ingredients. It can also be the source of chemical contaminants of environmental origin, including POPs that can contribute to adverse health effects to human. Monitoring the degree of pollution of honey/bee products with hazardous chemicals is important from a nutraceutical point of view. In the present work, overview of recent literature data on chemical pollutants in honey/bee products originating from the environment was performed. Their MLs, MRLs and EDI were discussed. It can be concluded that huge amount of research concerned on the presence of TMs and pesticides in honey. Most of the studies have shown that honey/bee products sampled from urban and industrialized areas were more contaminated than these sampled from ecological and rural locations. More pollutants were usually detected in propolis and bee pollen than in honey. Based on their research and regulations, authors stated, that most of the toxic pollutants of environmental origin in honey/bee products are at levels that do not pose a threat to the health of the potential consumer. The greatest concern relates to pesticides and TMs, because in some research MLs in individual samples were highly exceeded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Nowak
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Lodz University of Technology, Lodz, Poland
| | - Ireneusz Nowak
- Faculty of Law and Administration, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
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7
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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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Hungerford NL, Fletcher MT, Tsai HH, Hnatko D, Swann LJ, Kelly CL, Anuj SR, Tinggi U, Webber DC, Were ST, Tan BLL. Occurrence of environmental contaminants (pesticides, herbicides, PAHs) in Australian/Queensland Apis mellifera honey. FOOD ADDITIVES & CONTAMINANTS PART B-SURVEILLANCE 2021; 14:193-205. [PMID: 34096475 DOI: 10.1080/19393210.2021.1914743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Honey is a popular agricultural product containing mostly sugars and water, but due to its nutritious components and natural production by honeybees (Apis mellifera) from floral nectar, it is marketed as a premium health food item. As environmental monitors, honeybees can potentially transfer environmental contaminants to honey. Whilst pesticides can have ubiquitous presence in agricultural and urban areas, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can be more prevalent in higher density urban/industrial environments. Australian beehives are customarily located in rural areas/forests, but it is increasingly popular to keep hives in urban areas. This study assessed the levels of environmental contaminants in honeys (n = 212) from Queensland/Australian sources including rural, peri-urban and urban areas. Honey samples were analysed by LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS for 53 herbicides, 83 pesticides, 18 breakdown products (for certain pesticides/herbicides) and 33 PAHs and showed low/negligible pesticide, herbicide and PAHs contamination, consistent regardless of honey origins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha L Hungerford
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of Queensland, Health and Food Sciences Precinct, Coopers Plains, Australia
| | - Mary T Fletcher
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of Queensland, Health and Food Sciences Precinct, Coopers Plains, Australia
| | - Heng Hang Tsai
- Forensic and Scientific Services, Queensland Health, Coopers Plains, Australia
| | - Darina Hnatko
- Forensic and Scientific Services, Queensland Health, Coopers Plains, Australia
| | - Lorinda J Swann
- Forensic and Scientific Services, Queensland Health, Coopers Plains, Australia
| | - Cassandra L Kelly
- Forensic and Scientific Services, Queensland Health, Coopers Plains, Australia
| | - Shalona R Anuj
- Forensic and Scientific Services, Queensland Health, Coopers Plains, Australia
| | - Ujang Tinggi
- Forensic and Scientific Services, Queensland Health, Coopers Plains, Australia
| | - Dennis C Webber
- Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Health and Food Sciences Precinct, Coopers Plains, Australia
| | - Stephen T Were
- Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Health and Food Sciences Precinct, Coopers Plains, Australia
| | - Benjamin L L Tan
- Forensic and Scientific Services, Queensland Health, Coopers Plains, Australia
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9
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Combined approach to studying authenticity markers following spatial, temporal and production practice trends in honey from Croatia. Eur Food Res Technol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00217-021-03728-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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10
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Lazarus M, Tariba Lovaković B, Orct T, Sekovanić A, Bilandžić N, Đokić M, Solomun Kolanović B, Varenina I, Jurič A, Denžić Lugomer M, Bubalo D. Difference in pesticides, trace metal(loid)s and drug residues between certified organic and conventional honeys from Croatia. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 266:128954. [PMID: 33250227 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Quality and safety of food, including honey, is one of the leading priorities regarding residues of anthropogenic chemicals with proven adverse health effects. In total, 61 honey samples of known botanical origin were collected in period 2018-2019 from Croatian registered organic and conventional beekeepers (N = 16 organic and N = 45 conventional honey samples). Eleven trace metal(loid)s (Al, As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn; quantitated by ICP-MS), 24 antibiotics (LC-MS/MS, ELISA, microbiological inhibition test), six indicator PCBs (GC-MS/MS) and 121 pesticides (LC-MS/MS, GC-MS/MS) originating from environment and/or beekeeping practice were measured to assess possible differences in contaminant residues between organic and conventional honeys. All honey samples had contaminant residues below the legal maximum levels and are considered safe for consumers. However, 2/16 organic and 34/45 conventional honeys contained one or two synthetic acaricides (most frequently coumaphos), while other pesticides, antibiotics and PCBs were not quantified. Also, organic honey contained lower levels of coumaphos, amitraz and amitraz metabolite N-(2,4-dimethylphenyl) formamide than conventional honeys, on average. Higher levels of Cr (p = 0.006) were detected in organic compared to conventional chestnut honeys. This study pinpointed beehive disease control treatment as prominent pesticide residue source, which was to some extent reduced in organic honeys. Quantified pesticide and metal(loid) levels were within range or lower than reported in recent literature regarding honey of the same botanical origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Lazarus
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska C. 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Blanka Tariba Lovaković
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska C. 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Tatjana Orct
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska C. 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Ankica Sekovanić
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska C. 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Nina Bilandžić
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska Cesta 143, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Maja Đokić
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska Cesta 143, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | | | - Ivana Varenina
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Savska Cesta 143, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Andreja Jurič
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska C. 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Marija Denžić Lugomer
- Croatian Veterinary Institute, Ivana Zakmardija Dijankovečkog 10, 48260, Križevci, Croatia.
| | - Dragan Bubalo
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Svetošimunska Cesta 25, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.
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11
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Levin R, Zilli Vieira CL, Rosenbaum MH, Bischoff K, Mordarski DC, Brown MJ. The urban lead (Pb) burden in humans, animals and the natural environment. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 193:110377. [PMID: 33129862 PMCID: PMC8812512 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Centuries of human activities, particularly housing and transportation practices from the late 19th century through the 1980's, dispersed hundreds of millions of tons of lead into our urban areas. The urban lead burden is evident among humans, wild and domesticated animals, and plants. Animal lead exposures closely mirror and often exceed the lead exposure patterns of their human partners. Some examples: Pigeons in New York City neighborhoods mimicked the lead exposures of neighborhood children, with more contaminated areas associated with higher exposures in both species. Also, immediately following the lead in drinking water crisis in Flint MI in 2015, blood lead levels in pet dogs in Flint were 4 times higher than in surrounding towns. And combining lead's neurotoxicity with urban stress results in well-characterized aggressive behaviors across multiple species. Lead pollution is not distributed evenly across urban areas. Although average US pediatric lead exposures have declined by 90% since the 1970s, there remain well defined neighborhoods where children continue to have toxic lead exposures; animals are poisoned there, too. Those neighborhoods tend to have disproportionate commercial and industrial lead activity; a history of dense traffic; older and deteriorating housing; past and operating landfills, dumps and hazardous waste sites; and often lead contaminated drinking water. The population there tends to be low income and minority. Urban wild and domesticated animals bear that same lead burden. Soil, buildings, dust and even trees constitute huge lead repositories throughout urban areas. Until and unless we begin to address the lead repositories in our cities, the urban lead burden will continue to impose enormous costs distributed disproportionately across the domains of the natural environment. Evidence-based research has shown the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of some US public policies to prevent or reduce these exposures. We end with a series of recommendations to manage lead-safe urban environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronnie Levin
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
| | - Carolina L Zilli Vieira
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
| | - Marieke H Rosenbaum
- Department of Infectious Disease and Global Health, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, MA, 01536, USA.
| | - Karyn Bischoff
- New York State Animal Health Diagnostic Center, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
| | | | - Mary Jean Brown
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
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12
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Nicewicz Ł, Nicewicz AW, Kafel A, Nakonieczny M. Set of stress biomarkers as a practical tool in the assessment of multistress effect using honeybees from urban and rural areas as a model organism: a pilot study. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:9084-9096. [PMID: 33128148 PMCID: PMC7884360 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-11338-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
A decrease among honey bee populations (Apis mellifera) in the traditional apiaries has been observed in recent years. In light of this negative phenomenon, urban beekeeping seems to be an appropriate alternative solution for the bee population in reducing the toxic effects of a large number of pesticides that are commonly used in agricultural ecosystems. Despite the rapid development of urban beekeeping, there is little information regarding the different aspects of the defense effectiveness of bees from the urban and rural areas. The study was aimed to show whether honey bees from these two locations differ in the level of the valuable biomarkers of stress exposure helpful in establishing which bees, from urban or rural areas, are under greater environmental pressure. For this purpose, foragers from an urban rooftop apiary and a traditional rural apiary were collected. The chosen biomarkers were measured in various tissues of bees. The activity of glutathione S-transferase and acetylcholinesterase, the level of total antioxidant capacity, heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), and defensin were selected for the analyses. In our opinion, the Hsp70 and defensin levels seemed to be important in the indication of urban multistress factors. The higher level of heat shock proteins and defensins in tissues/organs of bees from the urban apiary-in the gut (an increase, respectively, 92% and 7.3%) and fat body (an increase, respectively, 130% and 7.8%), known as targets of environmental toxins, pointed out the urban environment as highly stressful at both the individual and colony levels. In turn, high total antioxidant capacity was measured in the guts of honey bees from rural area (an increase 107%). Such a situation suggests a different mechanism of defense and specificity of rural and urban environmental stressors and also honey bees foraging activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Nicewicz
- Research Team of Animal Physiology and Ecotoxicology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, University of Silesia, Bankowa 9, 40-007, Katowice, PL, Poland.
| | - Agata W Nicewicz
- Research Team of Animal Physiology and Ecotoxicology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, University of Silesia, Bankowa 9, 40-007, Katowice, PL, Poland
| | - Alina Kafel
- Research Team of Animal Physiology and Ecotoxicology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, University of Silesia, Bankowa 9, 40-007, Katowice, PL, Poland
| | - Mirosław Nakonieczny
- Research Team of Animal Physiology and Ecotoxicology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, University of Silesia, Bankowa 9, 40-007, Katowice, PL, Poland
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Zięba K, Szostak E, Czekońska K, Miśkowiec P, Moos-Matysik A, Nyczyk-Malinowska A, Szentgyörgyi H. Usefulness of bee bread and capped brood for the assessment of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon levels in the environment. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 265:114882. [PMID: 32563139 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring airborne pollutants, like aromatic hydrocarbons, are raising more and more concerns recently. Various sampling techniques and methods are known to collect, measure, and analyse environmental pollution levels based on honey bee bodies or bee product samples. Although honey bees are studied in detail and sampling methods are becoming more and more sophisticated biological samples may significantly differ in pollutant accumulation, showing a wide range of pollution levels even in the same site and environment. We have compared the pollution levels of honey bee capped brood and bee bread (pollen collected by honey bees and deposited in the hive) originating from four sites during two years of study and twelve honey bee families near various pollution sources emitting monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (BTEX) to the environment. Our result showed, that the environmental monitoring of BTEX can be based on sampling honey bees, and bee bread in particular. However, we found a significant difference in the uptake of these pollutants regarding sample type. Pollen collected as a food source revealed consistently higher levels of BTEX than bee brood, as well as some other differences in pollution levels between samples and between seasons, as opposed to capped brood. Based on our results, we suggest that for measuring and monitoring of BTEX pollution in the environment the use of bee bread is a valuable source of information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Zięba
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, Kraków, 30-387, Poland.
| | - Elżbieta Szostak
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, Kraków, 30-387, Poland.
| | - Krystyna Czekońska
- Faculty of Animal Science, University of Agriculture in Kraków, al. 29 Listopada 56, Kraków, 31-425, Poland.
| | - Paweł Miśkowiec
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, Kraków, 30-387, Poland.
| | | | - Anna Nyczyk-Malinowska
- Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, University of Science and Technology, ul. Akademicka 2, Kraków, 30-059, Poland.
| | - Hajnalka Szentgyörgyi
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Horticulture, University of Agriculture in Kraków, al. 29 Listopada 56, Kraków, 31-425, Poland.
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Hungerford NL, Tinggi U, Tan BLL, Farrell M, Fletcher MT. Mineral and Trace Element Analysis of Australian/Queensland Apis mellifera Honey. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E6304. [PMID: 32872537 PMCID: PMC7503739 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17176304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Honey is an extensively utilized sweetener containing sugars and water, together with small quantities of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids and proteins. Naturally produced by honeybees (Apis mellifera) from floral nectar, honey is increasingly sold as a health food product due to its nutritious features. Certain honeys are retailed as premium, trendy products. Honeybees are regarded as environmental monitors, but few reports examine the impact of environment on Australian honey trace elements and minerals. In higher density urban and industrial environments, heavy metals can be common, while minerals and trace elements can have ubiquitous presence in both agricultural and urban areas. Honey hives are traditionally placed in rural and forested areas, but increasingly the trend is to keep hives in more urban areas. This study aimed to determine the levels of 26 minerals and trace elements and assess elemental differences between honeys from various regional Queensland and Australian sources. Honey samples (n = 212) were acquired from markets, shops and supermarkets in Queensland while urban honeys were purchased online. The honey samples were classified into four groups according to their regional sources: urban, rural, peri-urban and blend honey. Elemental analyses of honey were performed using ICP-MS and ICP-OES after microwave and hot block digestion. Considerable variations of essential trace elements (Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Mo and Zn) and mineral levels (Ca, K, Mg, Na and P) were found in honeys surveyed. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) between urban and rural honey samples for B, Na, P, Mn, K, Ca and Cu. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were also found between blend and urban honey samples for K, Cu, P, Mn, Sr, Ni, B and Na. Peri-urban versus urban honeys showed significant differences in P, K and Mn. For rural and peri-urban honeys, the only significant difference (p < 0.05) was for Na. Toxic heavy metals were detected at relatively low levels in honey products. The study revealed that the Queensland/Australian honey studied is a good source of K and Zn and would constitute a good nutritional source of these elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha L. Hungerford
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of Queensland, Health and Food Sciences Precinct, Coopers Plains, QLD 4108, Australia;
| | - Ujang Tinggi
- Forensic and Scientific Services, Queensland Health, Coopers Plains, QLD 4108, Australia; (U.T.); (B.L.L.T.); (M.F.)
| | - Benjamin L. L. Tan
- Forensic and Scientific Services, Queensland Health, Coopers Plains, QLD 4108, Australia; (U.T.); (B.L.L.T.); (M.F.)
| | - Madeleine Farrell
- Forensic and Scientific Services, Queensland Health, Coopers Plains, QLD 4108, Australia; (U.T.); (B.L.L.T.); (M.F.)
| | - Mary T. Fletcher
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of Queensland, Health and Food Sciences Precinct, Coopers Plains, QLD 4108, Australia;
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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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