Pollen and Chemical Content of Beebreads from Serpentine Areas in Albania and Bulgaria

Beebread from serpentine localities in Albania and Bulgaria were characterized based on their pollen and chemical element content (macroelements K, Ca, Mg, P and microelements Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Zn) aiming to (1) evaluate the effect of serpentine soil on the quality of beebread; (2) compare elemental concentrations in samples from serpentine areas in Albania and Bulgaria; and (3) compare the differences in pollen spectra. Chemical element content was determined using microwave digestion of beebread samples followed by ICP-OES measurements. The analytical procedure developed was validated by added/found method. Analytical figures of merit of analytical method proposed were presented. The melissopalynological analysis was applied for pollen characterization. The results demonstrate clear difference in the pollen spectra between the two sets of samples, confirming differences in local serpentine flora in both countries, but specific pollen type is difficult to be suggested. The pollen content is related to the flowering period, climatic conditions, and bees forage preferences. The samples vary in their elemental concentrations depending on the pollen type and year of collection. The highest average concentrations found for K, Ca, Mg, and P are close to values reported in the literature. However, elevated concentrations observed for Ni, Cr, Mn, and Fe in beebread, especially from Albania, are in line with the serpentine characteristics of studied areas. The concentrations of Cd and Pb for all beebread samples are below permissible limits. The results should be taken into consideration in future specific food safety regulations at national and international level.

Characteristics of Honey from Serpentine Area in the Eastern Rhodopes Mt., Bulgaria

Honey samples collected during 2007-2010 from serpentine and non-serpentine localities in the Eastern Rhodopes Mt. (Bulgaria) were characterized on the basis of their pollen content by qualitative melissopalynological analysis and physicochemical composition. Water content, pH, electrical conductivity, macroelements-K, Ca, Mg, P, and microelements-As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, and Zn were determined after the Harmonised Methods of the International Honey Commission and ICP-AES method. The results from serpentine honey samples were compared with data from bee pollen collected from the same serpentine area. Different elements have different concentrations in honey from the same botanical type even collected from the same geographical region, same locality, and same beehive but in different vegetation season. The elements Mg, Mn, Ni, and P contribute mostly for separation of the serpentine honey samples based on measured elemental concentrations and performed principal component analysis. The element concentrations were higher in bee pollen and above the permissible limits for the toxic metals Cd and Pb. No specific indicator plant species was found for identification of the geographical origin of serpentine honey in relation to the forage of bees.