Monitoring of neonicotinoid pesticides in beekeeping

Abstract

The decline of pollinating species is correlated to the extensive use of neonicotinoids against pest insects for crop protection. In this study, the concentrations of neonicotinoid insecticides were determined in honeybees, honeycomb and honey samples, collected in Spring 2015 (blooming period) from different areas in Sicily (IT), to carry out an evaluation of bees products' safety and an overview of neonicotinoid contamination in beekeeping. The results obtained showed only the presence of clothianidin in bee samples and these concentrations don't represent a risk for bees' vitality and safety. The absence of residue in all honey samples, instead, showed the quality of bee products.

Multivariate statistical analysis of the polyphenols content for the discrimination of honey produced in Sicily (Southern Italy)

“…During the last decades, food characterization becomes a challenging topic because it includes both authenticity and geographical origin determination (Mallamace et al, 2014;Pantano et al, 2016). Honey is a complex natural mixture that contains various nutrients and bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, which are considered the major responsible for the wide range of biochemical activities of honey (Bogdanov et al, 2008;Cicero et al, 2017;Tenore et al, 2012). There is a significant correlation between antioxidant activity, polyphenol content, and inhibition of human serum lipoprotein oxidation in vitro (Gheldof et al, 2002;Pérez-Gregorio et al, 2014;Perez-Gregorio and Simal-Gandara, 2017).…”

Is Beekeeping Affected by the Use of Neonicotinoids in Agriculture?

“…A study of Cicero et al (2016), determine the neonicotinoid concentrations in honeybees, honeycomb and honey samples collected in blooming period from different areas of Sicily, Italy. The overview of neinicotinoid contamination show that only one substance (Clothianidin), from the 5 standards used (Imidacloprid, Clothianidin, Thiamethoxam, Acetamiprid, Thiacloprid), was found in bee samples, but the concentrations found do not represent a risk for bee vitality and safety.…”

High hydroxycinnamic acids contents in fennel honey produced in Southern Italy

“…Honey is a natural mixture that contains nutrients and bioactive compounds (Cicero et al 2017;Campone et al 2019). The sugar spectrum of ripe honey is the end product of a whole series of enzymatic processes, to which various plant and animal enzymes (such as carbohydrases) contribute (Maurizio 1962).…”