New method for risk assessment in environmental health: The paradigm of heavy metals in honey

Mititelu, Magdalena; Udeanu, Denisa Ioana; Docea, Anca Oana; Tsatsakis, Aristidis; Călina, Daniela; Arsene, Andreea Letiția; Nedelescu, Mirela; Neacşu, Sorinel Marius; Velescu, Bruno Ştefan; Ghica, Mihaela Violeta

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2022.115194

Cited by 9 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Statistical differences with soil type have not been confirmed (Table 4). Low concentrations of minor mineral substances in honey were also confirmed in other studies [51,54]. In order to better express the relationship between mineral substances and soil types, the Pearson correlation coefficient was further used.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 62%

Exploring the Influence of Soil Types on the Mineral Profile of Honey: Implications for Geographical Origin Prediction

Schmidlová,

Javůrková,

Tremlová

et al. 2024

Foods

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Honey contains a wide range of inorganic substances. Their content can be influenced, i.e., by the type of soil on which the bee pasture is located. As part of this study, the mineral profile of 32 samples of honey from hobby beekeepers from the Czech Republic wasevaluated and then compared with soil types in the vicinity of the beehive location. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to express the relationship between mineral substances and soil type. There was a high correlation between antroposol and Zn (R = 0.98), Pb (R = 0.96), then between ranker and Mn (0.95), then regosol and Al (R = 0.97) (p < 0.05). A high negative correlation was found between regosol and Mg (R = −0.97), Cr (R = −0.98) and between redzinas and Al (R = −0.97) (p < 0.05). Both positive and negative high correlations were confirmed for phaeozem. The CART method subsequently proved that the characteristic elements for individual soil types are B, Ca, Mg, Ni, Mg, and Mn. The soil types of cambisol, fluvisol, gleysol, anthrosol, and kastanozem had the closest relationship with the elements mentioned, and it can therefore be assumed that their occurrence indicates the presence of these soil types within the range of beehive location.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 62%

Exploring the Influence of Soil Types on the Mineral Profile of Honey: Implications for Geographical Origin Prediction

Schmidlová,

Javůrková,

Tremlová

et al. 2024

Foods

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“…The presence of trace elements (and particularly heavy metals) in the natural environment and the potential risk of their entry into the food chain pose a threat to both ecosystems and human well-being [79]. The values presented in Table 4 for all trace elements do not exceed 1 mg/kg; hence, they are in line with the European thresholds [63,89].…”

Section: Macro- Micro-and Trace Elements In Honey Samplesmentioning

confidence: 53%

“…Honey contains essential nutrients and minerals that play important roles in human health [77,78]. The origin of these diverse macro-, micro-and trace elements is associated not only with the geographical origin of plants [65], but also with the influence of human activities, which may contribute to environmental pollution [79].…”

Section: Macro- Micro-and Trace Elements In Honey Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of the Main Macro-, Micro- and Trace Elements Found in Fallopia japonica Plants and Their Traceability in Its Honey: A Case Study from the Northwestern and Western Part of Romania

Cucu,

Pașca,

Cucu

et al. 2024

Plants

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Fallopia japonica (Japanese knotweed, Reynoutria japonica or Polygonum cuspidatum) is considered an extremely invasive plant worldwide and a bioindicator of heavy metals. Yet, its potential as a crop for honeybees is still underevaluated. This study employs atomic absorption spectrometry to quantitatively analyze the concentration of macro-elements, namely, calcium (Ca), potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg); micro-elements, such as copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and selenium (Se); and trace elements, i.e., cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb) in different anatomic parts of Fallopia japonica (FJ) plants (roots, rhizomes, stems, leaves) and their traceability into honey. This research encompasses a thorough examination of samples collected from the northwestern and western part of Romania, providing insights into their elemental composition. The results showed that the level of trace elements decreases in terms of traceability in honey samples (Pb was not detected in any of the analyzed samples, while Cd had a minimum content 0.001 mg/kg), ensuring its quality and health safety for consumption. Moreover, the data generated can function as a valuable resource to explore the plant’s positive eco-friendly impacts, particularly in relation to its honey.

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“…One indication for identifying the extent of environmental contamination is the detection of heavy metals in samples of honey [60]. On the other hand, phytosanitary treatments are one of the major issues contributing to the rise in bee family mortality nowadays [84].…”

Section: Heavy Metalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Uncontrollable exposure to heavy metals has mutagenic and carcinogenic tendencies that can cause irreversible efects. Some of those consequences can even be transferred from mother to fetus [84]. Even in instances with limited exposure to heavy metals, children are susceptible to neurological problems such as attention, memory, and cognitive defciencies [85].…”

Section: Heavy Metalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Comprehensive Narrative Review on the Hazards of Bee Honey Adulteration and Contamination

Morariu,

Avasilcai,

Vieriu

et al. 2024

Journal of Food Quality

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Honey bees are renowned for producing a remarkable substance known as bee honey, which stands as a functional food celebrated for its numerous health benefits. This natural wonder possesses a spectrum of advantageous properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, antibacterial, and wound-healing qualities. However, in our modern era of heightened utilization of bee products, a new and pressing global health concern has emerged—the contamination of honey with pesticides, antibiotics, microorganisms, and heavy metals. The consumption of beekeeping products containing pesticide residues has been linked to a range of health issues, including genetic malformations, cellular degradation, allergic reactions, and even potential carcinogenic effects. Troublingly, documented cases exist of botulism in newborns resulting from the ingestion of contaminated honey. Additionally, the use of antibiotics in beekeeping practices has been associated with the concerning emergence of antibiotic resistance. This comprehensive review sheds light on the substantial consequences of honey contamination for human health. It underscores the urgent need for the establishment of a rigorous monitoring system, the validation of minimum acceptable pollutant levels, and, at the very least, the regulation of maximum residue limits for bee products, with a particular emphasis on bee honey.

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New method for risk assessment in environmental health: The paradigm of heavy metals in honey

Cited by 9 publications

References 44 publications

Exploring the Influence of Soil Types on the Mineral Profile of Honey: Implications for Geographical Origin Prediction

Exploring the Influence of Soil Types on the Mineral Profile of Honey: Implications for Geographical Origin Prediction

Evaluation of the Main Macro-, Micro- and Trace Elements Found in Fallopia japonica Plants and Their Traceability in Its Honey: A Case Study from the Northwestern and Western Part of Romania

A Comprehensive Narrative Review on the Hazards of Bee Honey Adulteration and Contamination

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