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

ABSTRACT

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.

KEYWORDS:

• Elemental content
• health risks
• honey
• melissopalynological analysis
• PCA

Acknowledgements

This study was funded by a scholarship for Giresun University Scientific and Technological Research (FEN-BAP-A-250221-55)

Disclosure statement

The author of this article declares no known individual or financial conflict of interest.

Author’s contributions

İKT supplied the honey samples. İKT extracted all samples in the study. İKT conducted he palynological analyses, elemental analysis and calculated hazard risk assessment. İKT wrote the manuscript and approved its final version.Supplementary data

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2023.2239738

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Giresun University Scientific and Technological Research [FEN-BAP-A-250221-55].