Examination and comparison of certain heavy metals in honey

Abstract

Given the importance of honeybees and their products, in addition to the fact that the products are considered a mirror of the environmental conditions surrounding the bees, which affect the health of individuals and the stability of the colony and affect the food chain that follows it. Random twelve honey samples from four countries, China, Lebanon, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, were compared for four heavy elements: Lead, Cadmium, Molybdenum, and Cobalt. Using dried samples in a temperature-controlled muffle furnace at 550 °C, and determination of minerals by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The results obtained showed that the general residues of lead (67.17 mg/100 g) and molybdenum (72.52 mg/100 g) recorded a significant increase over the elements Cadmium (15.08 mg/100 g) and Cobalt (21.42 mg/100 g), which were equal in significance, and this was regardless of the countries. As for the total contamination with the four elements, honey samples taken from Saudi Arabia showed the highest significant increase (57.86 mg/100 g) compared to the rest of the countries, China, Lebanon, and Egypt, (35.73 mg/100 g, 41.72 mg/100 g, 40.89 mg/100 g), respectively. Mitigating these risks involves reducing environmental contamination, promoting practices that support bee health, and increasing awareness about the impact of heavy metals on pollinators.