Original scientific paper

Flower honey as a potential bio-indicator of environmental pollution by pesticides in the Varaždin County

Gordana Jurak ; Institute of Public Health "Dr. Andrija Štampar", Zagreb, Croatia
Jasna Bošnir ; Institute of Public Health "Dr. Andrija Štampar", Zagreb, Croatia
Aleksandar Racz orcid.org/0000-0002-3118-2623 ; University of Applied Health Studies in Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Sandra Šikić ; Institute of Public Health "Dr. Andrija Štampar", Zagreb, Croatia
Adela Krivohvalek orcid.org/0000-0003-0588-934X ; Institute of Public Health "Dr. Andrija Štampar", Zagreb, Croatia
Lidija Barušić orcid.org/0000-0003-1817-8299 ; Institute of Public Health "Dr. Andrija Štampar", Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Aim: In this research samples of floral honey were used as bio-indicators of environmental pollution by pesticides. Material and methods: A total of 40 (4x10) samples from bee farms were collected at 4 different locations (sub-regions) including 16 municipalities in the Varaždin County, as well as 20 (2x10) samples from two locations – bee-farms registered as "ecological producers" in the neighborhood County, both located far away from conventional agricultural production. Analyses were carried out using the gas chromatography joint system with mass spectrometry (GCMS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: Identification and quantification of 78 pesticide active ingredients were performed which are part of a total of approximately 400 pesticides that are usually analyzed in fruits and vegetables whereby the laboratory had available analytical equipment that also determined the number of detected pesticides. Due to identified and quantified active ingredients of pesticides, the results of analyses might indicate a possible cause-effect relationship with conventional agricultural activities in the Varaždin County. It was evident from the obtained results on the shares of identified and quantified pesticide residues, and with respect to admissibility, that the share of permitted pesticides in the samples of floral honey accounted for 55.2%, while the share of illegal pesticides accounted for 44.8%. Analyzing the number of detected insecticides and fungicides, on a total of all 4 locations (sub-regions), it was found that floral honey contained 13 different types of insecticides and 3 types of fungicides. Conclusion: The results and statistical data analysis showed that floral honey is a good bio-indicator of environmental pollution by pesticides, therefore this study can serve as a basis for scientists and experts engaged in the research of harmful effects of pesticides on the environment and human health.

Keywords

honey; pollution; pesticides; environment

Hrčak ID:

208119

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/208119

Publication date:

6.11.2018.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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