Environmental concentration of selected elements and relation to physicochemical parameters in honey

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the content of selected elements and physicochemical indicators of the honey of Apis mellifera. Samples of blossom, blend and honeydew honeys were randomly obtained from the Eastern, Western and Central of Slovakia. Contents of elements were measured with the use of flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS) method and anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) method with CGMDE as working electrode. The content of heavy metals (mg/kg dry weight) ranged as follows: Zn 0.25–3.82; Cu 0.12–1.37; Ni 0.06–0.60; Mg 0.10–50.43; Ca 10.32–87.21; Pb and Cd were under detectable limit (0.001 mg/kg). The physical and chemical indicators ranged as follows: moisture (%) 16.00–19.80; HMF (mg/kg) 10.00–40.00; pH 3.58–5.12; conductivity (mS/m) 13.45–99.12 and a _w 0.456–0.659. Significant difference (P < 0.05) for elements and physicochemical indicators was analyzed. Significant correlations between Cu – Zn, Cu – Ni, Cu – Mg, Ca – Zn and Ca – Mg were detected. With reference to Codex Alimentarius of Slovakia, maximal levels of heavy metals content and selected physicochemical properties were not exceeded. On average, the content of trace elements decreased in the order: Ca > Mg > Zn > Cu > Ni and physicochemical indicators decreased: conductivity > HMF > moisture > pH > a_w.

Keywords:

• Honey
• trace elements
• physicochemical parameters
• Slovakia

Acknowledgment

This study was supported by APVV project 0299–06 and VEGA scientific grant 1/0696/08. Authors would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Anna Moskala and Dr. Shubhadeep Roychoudhury for editing and language corrections of the manuscript.

Notes

∗ ND not determined [detection limit: 0.001 mg/kg].

∗ P < 0.05;

∗∗P < 0.01;

∗∗∗P < 0.001