Comparison of selected lipophilic compound residues in honey and propolis

Honeybees are exposed to several antropogenic environmental pollutants and able to transfer these compounds to their products. There are limited research on detection of several pollutants at the same time in bee products. This study aimed to investigate the residues of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in honey and propolis, which are among the most important products of honeybees. Target analytes in honey and propolis were extracted by solid phase extraction and analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The method was validated according to Eurachem guidelines. Only PAH compounds were detected in honey samples, while for propolis, in addition to PAH, certain OCPs, PCBs, and PBDE85 compounds were also found. Detected concentrations were evaluated for their risks, where 32.5 % of the detected residual honey samples and 67.5 % of the propolis samples would not be suitable for human consumption.Present study reveal that, propolis samples collected from the same area were more contaminated than the honey samples; indicating the potential transfer of these environmental pollutants to this bee product at higher level.

Automated summary

Honeybees are exposed to various anthropogenic environmental pollutants which can be transferred to their products. This study investigated residues of pesticides, PCBs, PBDEs, and PAHs in honey and propolis, finding that a significant percentage of samples were not suitable for human consumption due to contamination, with propolis more contaminated than honey samples.