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Meza-Figueroa D, Berrellez-Reyes F, Schiavo B, Morton-Bermea O, Gonzalez-Grijalva B, Inguaggiato C, Silva-Campa E. Tracking fine particles in urban and rural environments using honey bees as biosamplers in Mexico. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 363:142881. [PMID: 39032733 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 07/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
This work explores the efficiency of honey bees (Apis mellifera) as biosamplers of metal pollution. To understand this, we selected two cities with different urbanization (a medium-sized city and a megacity), and we collected urban dust and honey bees captured during flight. We sampled two villages and a university campus as control areas. The metal content in dust was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to investigate the shape and size distribution of the particles, and to characterize the semiquantitative chemical composition of particles adhered to honey bee's wings. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) shows a distinctive urban dust geochemical signature for each city, with component 1 defining V-Cr-Ni-Tl-Pt-Pb-Sb as characteristic of Mexico City and Ce-As-Zr for dust from Hermosillo. Particle count using SEM indicates that 69% and 63.4% of the resuspended dust from Hermosillo and Mexico City, respectively, corresponds to PM2.5. Instead, the particle count measured on the honey bee wings from Hermosillo and Mexico City is mainly PM2.5, 91.4% and 88.9%, respectively. The wings from honey bees collected in the villages and the university campus show much lower particle amounts. AFM-histograms confirmed that the particles identified in Mexico City have even smaller sizes (between 60 and 480 nm) than those in Hermosillo (between 400 and 1400 nm). Particles enriched in As, Zr, and Ce mixed with geogenic elements such as Si, Ca, Mg, K, and Na dominate honey bee' wings collected in Hermosillo. In contrast, those particles collected from Mexico City contain V, Cr, Ni, Tl, Pt, Pb, and Sb. Such results agree with the urban dust data. This work shows that honey bees are suitable biosamplers for the characterization of fine dust fractions by microscopy techniques and reflect the urban pollution of the sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Meza-Figueroa
- Departamento de Geología, División de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Sonora, Rosales y Encinas, Centro, Hermosillo, 83000, Sonora, Mexico.
| | - Francisco Berrellez-Reyes
- Departamento de Geología, División de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Sonora, Rosales y Encinas, Centro, Hermosillo, 83000, Sonora, Mexico
| | - Benedetto Schiavo
- Instituto de Geofísica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, 04510, Mexico
| | - Ofelia Morton-Bermea
- Instituto de Geofísica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, 04510, Mexico
| | - Belem Gonzalez-Grijalva
- Departamento de Geología, División de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Sonora, Rosales y Encinas, Centro, Hermosillo, 83000, Sonora, Mexico
| | - Claudio Inguaggiato
- Departamento de Geología, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada (CICESE), Carretera Ensenada-Tijuana, 3918, Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico
| | - Erika Silva-Campa
- Departamento de Investigación en Física, Universidad de Sonora, Rosales y Encinas, Centro, Hermosillo, 83000, Sonora, Mexico
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Catalano P, Della Sala F, Cavaliere M, Caputo C, Pecoraro D, Crispino G, Lettera S, Caioni G, Esposito M, Verre A, Castellone L, Bianco E, Amorena M. Use of Honey Bees and Hive Products as Bioindicators to Assess Environmental Contamination in Targeted Areas of the Campania Region (Italy). Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1446. [PMID: 38791663 PMCID: PMC11117287 DOI: 10.3390/ani14101446] [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: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, biomonitoring has gained more attention, particularly when assessing the environmental health of significant areas, such as those near waste-to-energy facilities. These requirements coincide with the chance to detect environmental pollutants using sensitive organisms. Bees were shown to be quite effective in evaluating the presence of certain compounds by analyzing their associated matrices, such as pollen, honey, or wax. In our study, we employed the honey bee (Apis mellifera) as an indicator to initially monitor the vicinity of the waste-to-energy plant in Acerra, which is situated in the Campania region of Italy. The primary aim was to determine whether the facility was accountable for any environmental releases of dioxins or dioxin-like compounds. Then, we assessed the presence of additional pollutants in the same area, including trace elements, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and pesticides, released by human activities. To obtain further information about environmental quality, a second biomonitoring station was installed near the Caivano S.T.I.R. (Waste Shredding, Sifting, and Packaging Plant). The results showed the dioxin levels did not exceed predetermined limitations at the Acerra site, thus demonstrating the efficacy of the waste-to-energy facility and the bees' ability to detect the presence of other pollutants. Additionally, this biomonitoring system exhibited sensitivity to environmental variations, thereby enabling the evaluation of xenobiotic flux between two proximate zones and across temporal scales. This pioneering study suggests the advantages of utilizing bees to detect a wide range of contaminants, thereby providing valuable insights into environmental quality and potential health risks for both ecosystems and human populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizio Catalano
- Department of Prevention of ASL Napoli2nord, Frattamaggiore, 80027 Naples, Italy; (P.C.); (M.C.); (C.C.); (D.P.); (G.C.); (S.L.); (A.V.); (L.C.); (E.B.)
| | | | - Maria Cavaliere
- Department of Prevention of ASL Napoli2nord, Frattamaggiore, 80027 Naples, Italy; (P.C.); (M.C.); (C.C.); (D.P.); (G.C.); (S.L.); (A.V.); (L.C.); (E.B.)
| | - Carla Caputo
- Department of Prevention of ASL Napoli2nord, Frattamaggiore, 80027 Naples, Italy; (P.C.); (M.C.); (C.C.); (D.P.); (G.C.); (S.L.); (A.V.); (L.C.); (E.B.)
| | - Domenico Pecoraro
- Department of Prevention of ASL Napoli2nord, Frattamaggiore, 80027 Naples, Italy; (P.C.); (M.C.); (C.C.); (D.P.); (G.C.); (S.L.); (A.V.); (L.C.); (E.B.)
| | - Giulia Crispino
- Department of Prevention of ASL Napoli2nord, Frattamaggiore, 80027 Naples, Italy; (P.C.); (M.C.); (C.C.); (D.P.); (G.C.); (S.L.); (A.V.); (L.C.); (E.B.)
| | - Stefania Lettera
- Department of Prevention of ASL Napoli2nord, Frattamaggiore, 80027 Naples, Italy; (P.C.); (M.C.); (C.C.); (D.P.); (G.C.); (S.L.); (A.V.); (L.C.); (E.B.)
| | - Giulia Caioni
- Department of Bioscience and Agro-Food and Environmental Technology, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy;
| | - Mauro Esposito
- Centro di Referenza Nazionale per l’Analisi e Studio di Correlazione tra Ambiente, Animale e Uomo, IZS Mezzogiorno, Portici, 80055 Naples, Italy;
| | - Antonio Verre
- Department of Prevention of ASL Napoli2nord, Frattamaggiore, 80027 Naples, Italy; (P.C.); (M.C.); (C.C.); (D.P.); (G.C.); (S.L.); (A.V.); (L.C.); (E.B.)
| | - Luigi Castellone
- Department of Prevention of ASL Napoli2nord, Frattamaggiore, 80027 Naples, Italy; (P.C.); (M.C.); (C.C.); (D.P.); (G.C.); (S.L.); (A.V.); (L.C.); (E.B.)
| | - Enrico Bianco
- Department of Prevention of ASL Napoli2nord, Frattamaggiore, 80027 Naples, Italy; (P.C.); (M.C.); (C.C.); (D.P.); (G.C.); (S.L.); (A.V.); (L.C.); (E.B.)
| | - Michele Amorena
- Department of Bioscience and Agro-Food and Environmental Technology, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy;
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Knoll S, Cappai MG. Foraging Activity of Honey Bees (Apis mellifera L., 1758) and Exposure to Cadmium: a Review. Biol Trace Elem Res 2024:10.1007/s12011-024-04118-3. [PMID: 38443599 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-024-04118-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Honey bees are commonly exposed to a broad spectrum of xenobiotics, including heavy metals. Heavy metal toxicity is of concern in the context of global pollinator declines, especially since honey bees seem to be particularly susceptible to xenobiotics in general. Here we summarize current knowledge on the interplay between cadmium, one of the most toxic and mobile elements in the environment, and honey bees, the primary managed pollinator species worldwide. Overall, cadmium pollution has been shown to be ubiquitous, affecting industrial, urban and rural areas alike. Uptake of this heavy metal by plants serves as the primary route of exposure for bees (through pollen and nectar). Reported cadmium toxicity consists of lethal and sublethal effects (reduced development and growth) in both adult and larval stages, as well as various molecular responses related to detoxification and cellular antioxidant defence systems. Other effects of cadmium in honey bees include the disruption of synaptic signalling, calcium metabolism and muscle function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephane Knoll
- Institute of Animal Productions of the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Cappai
- Institute of Animal Productions of the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
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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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de Santana SEA, Serrão JE, de Carvalho CAL, de Abreu Júnior PB, Waldschmidt AM. Chemical Profile of Elements in the Stingless Bee Melipona scutellaris (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini) from Sites with Distinct Anthropogenic Activities. Biol Trace Elem Res 2023; 201:5431-5440. [PMID: 36781716 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-023-03586-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Stingless bees are pollinators in forests and crops that, during foraging, may be exposed to several environmental xenobiotics, including metallic elements. This study evaluated the presence of magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), molybdenum (Mo), cadmium (Cd), barium (Ba), and lead (Pb) over the body surface of the stingless bee Melipona scutellaris visiting areas with different anthropogenic activity levels. The analyses were carried out using scanning electron microscopy with X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/XEDS) and all tested elements were identified. Lead was the most abundant element in all samples, whereas Mn had the lowest abundance. High amounts of Cu and Zn were detected in the areas with metallurgic industries. The presence of metals on the body surface of this stingless bee varied according to the level of human activities in the studied areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sintia Emmanuelle Andrade de Santana
- Graduation Program in Genetics, Biodiversity and Conservation, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia-UESB, Rua José Moreira Sobrinho, s/n, Jequiezinho, BA, ZIP code 45208-091, Jequié, Brazil.
| | - José Eduardo Serrão
- Department of General Biology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa-UFV, Avenida Peter Henry Rolfs, s/n, Campus Universitário, MG, ZIP code 36570-900, Viçosa, Brazil
| | - Carlos Alfredo Lopes de Carvalho
- Center of Agricultural, Environmental and Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia-UFRB, Av. Rui Barbosa, 710, BA, ZIP code 44380-000, Cruz das Almas, Brazil
| | - Paulo Barros de Abreu Júnior
- Graduation Program in Genetics, Biodiversity and Conservation, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia-UESB, Rua José Moreira Sobrinho, s/n, Jequiezinho, BA, ZIP code 45208-091, Jequié, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Waldschmidt
- Graduation Program in Genetics, Biodiversity and Conservation, Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia-UESB, Rua José Moreira Sobrinho, s/n, Jequiezinho, BA, ZIP code 45208-091, Jequié, Brazil
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Notardonato I, Fantasma F, Monaco P, Di Fiore C, Saviano G, Giancola C, Avino P, De Felice V. The Presence of Ultra-Traces of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and Heavy Metals in Some Areas of Molise: The Importance of a "Blank" in Public Health Studies. TOXICS 2023; 11:250. [PMID: 36977015 PMCID: PMC10059250 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11030250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The emission of chemicals into the environment has increased in a not negligible way as a result of the phenomenon of globalization and industrialization, potentially also affecting areas always considered as "uncontaminated". In this paper, five "uncontaminated" areas were analyzed in terms of the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals (HMs), comparing them with an "environmental blank". Chemical analyses were carried out using standardized protocols. The 'environmental blank' results revealed the presence of Cu (<64.9 μg g-1), Ni (<37.2 μg g-1), and Zn (<52.6 μg g-1) as HMs and fluorene (<17.0 ng g-1) and phenanthrene (<11.5 ng g-1) as PAHs. However, regarding the results of the pollution status of the areas under study, fluorene (#S1, 0.34 ng g-1; #S2, 4.3 ng g-1; #S3, 5.1 ng g-1; #S4, 3.4 ng g-1; #S5, 0.7 ng g-1) and phenanthrene (#S1, 0. 24 ng g-1; #S2, 3.1 ng g-1; #S3, 3.2 ng g-1; #S4, 3.3 ng g-1; #S5, 0.5 ng g-1) were found in all areas, while the other PAHs investigated were detected at a concentration averaging less than 3.3 ng g-1. HMs were found in all of the investigated areas. In particular, Cd was detected in all areas with an average concentration of less than 0.036 μg g-1, while Pb was absent in area #S5, but present in the other areas with an average concentration of less than 0.018 μg g-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Notardonato
- Department of Agriculture, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, Via De Sanctis, I-86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Francesca Fantasma
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, C. da Fonte Lappone, I-86090 Pesche, Italy
| | - Pamela Monaco
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, C. da Fonte Lappone, I-86090 Pesche, Italy
| | - Cristina Di Fiore
- Department of Agriculture, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, Via De Sanctis, I-86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Gabriella Saviano
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, C. da Fonte Lappone, I-86090 Pesche, Italy
| | - Carmen Giancola
- Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research (IIA), National Research Council (CNR), Rome Research Area-Montelibretti, I-00015 Monterotondo Scalo, Italy
| | - Pasquale Avino
- Department of Agriculture, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, Via De Sanctis, I-86100 Campobasso, Italy
- Institute of Atmospheric Pollution Research (IIA), National Research Council (CNR), Rome Research Area-Montelibretti, I-00015 Monterotondo Scalo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo De Felice
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, C. da Fonte Lappone, I-86090 Pesche, Italy
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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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Linking Measure of the Tropical Stingless Bee (Apidae, Meliponini, and Heterotrigona itama) Honey Quality with Hives Distance to the Source of Heavy Metal Pollution in Urban and Industrial Areas in Sabah, Borneo. J Toxicol 2022; 2022:4478082. [PMID: 36246191 PMCID: PMC9553692 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4478082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Honey is a natural product of bees, and its chemical composition depends on the nectar sources of the surrounding flora as well as environmental factors. However, keeping hives in areas polluted with heavy metals can affect the quality of bee products such as honey. To date, there have been very few studies on the health risks of consuming honey at various locations in the Malaysian state of Sabah, Borneo, in relation to food standards and heavy metal contamination of honey from the stingless bee, Heterotrigona itama in association with pollutant sources. A total of 63 samples of raw and unprocessed honey were collected directly from beekeepers producing honey at five sites in the industrial areas. All selected heavy metals were measured using an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrophotometer (ICP-OES). Overall, the most frequently detected element was Zn (0.090 mg/kg), followed by Pb (0.012 mg/kg), As (0.004 mg/kg), and Cr (0.003 mg/kg), while Cd (0.001 mg/kg) was the lowest element in honey from all areas. With the exception of Cr and Zn, a significant correlation was found between PCA factor score 1 and heavy metal concentration in honey for Pb, Cd, and As, suggesting that the source of pollution for these metal elements was from hives closer to major roads, cities/town, petrochemical hub, and power plants. Although the heavy metal concentrations in the honey samples did not exceed the food standard limits and therefore do not pose a health risk, the observed increase in heavy metal concentrations in honey in industrial areas could pose a potential risk in the future due to the growing interest in rearing of stingless bees for honey production in these areas of Sabah.
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