Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.2478/aiht-2018-69-3126

Urban honey - the aspects of its safety

Milica S. Jovetić orcid.org/0000-0003-0909-4122 ; Center for Food Analysis, Belgrade, Serbia
Azra S. Redžepović ; Center for Food Analysis, Belgrade, Serbia
Nebojša M. Nedić orcid.org/0000-0002-7671-5139 ; University of Belgrade Faculty of Agriculture, Belgrade, Serbia
Denis Vojt ; University of Belgrade Faculty of Agriculture, Belgrade, Serbia
Slađana Z. Đurđić ; University of Belgrade Faculty of Chemistry, Belgrade, Serbia
Ilija D. Brčeski orcid.org/0000-0001-6537-6840 ; University of Belgrade Faculty of Chemistry, Belgrade, Serbia
Dušanka M. Milojković-Opsenica orcid.org/0000-0001-6274-4222 ; University of Belgrade Faculty of Chemistry, Belgrade, Serbia

Abstract

To contribute to the development of urban beekeeping, we designed this study to obtain more information about the contamination of urban bee products with toxic metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and pesticides. The samples of honey (N=23), pollen (N=13), and floral nectar (N=6) were collected from the experimental stationary apiary of the Belgrade University Faculty of Agriculture located in centre of Zemun (a municipality of the Belgrade metropolitan area) in 2015 and 2016. Metals (Pb, Cd, As, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, Cr, and Hg) were determined with inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometry (ICP-QMS). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analysed with highperformance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD). Pesticides were analysed with gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The honey samples were generally within the European and Serbian regulatory limits. The levels of all the 123 analysed pesticides were below the limit of quantification (LOQ). Regarding PAH levels in honey, the highest content was found for naphthalene. The elevated levels of Hg and Cr and of PAHs in the pollen samples indicated air pollution. Pesticide residues in pollen, however, were below the LOQ. In nectar, metal levels were relatively similar to those in honey. Our results suggest that the investigated urban honey meets the regulatory requirements for metals, PAHs, and pesticides and is therefore safe for consumption.

Keywords

beekeeping; contaminants; pollen; urban areas

Hrčak ID:

206041

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/206041

Publication date:

25.9.2018.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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