Investigation of honey types (chaste berry, chestnut, lavender, jerusalem thorn, acacia and sunflower) for specific macro and micro elements with heavy metal pollution

Abstract

In this research, heavy metal contents (Al, As, Pb and Cd) of 6 honey samples obtained from Marmara and Aegean regions of Turkiye (chaste berry, chestnut, jerusalem torn and sunflower kind of honeys) and 4 honey samples obtained from Bulgaria (lavender, acacia and sunflower kind of honeys) with micro and macro element contents including Ba, Cr, Co, Ni, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Mg, P, B, Na, K, Sr, S and Ca were analyzed by ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Optical Emission Spectrometer). It was found that the heavy metal contents (Al, As, Cd and Pb) in the investigated honey samples were below the toxic limit values specified by the World Health Organisation and the Turkish Food Codex. In general, the mineral contents of honey samples vary according to the regions where they were taken. Among the honey samples taken from different regions; the contents of Pb, Al, As, Cr, Cu, Ba, Sr, Zn, B, Ca, K, Na, P and S changed at 1% significance level, while Mn, Ni and Fe contents differ at 5% level of significance. It was determined that as the apiary locations from which honey samples were taken approached the urban areas, the Pb content increased statistically by 1%, while the As and Co content increased at the 5% level of significance.