Quantitation of pesticides in bee bread collected from honey bee colonies in an agricultural environment in Switzerland

Pesticide contamination of bee products is a widespread phenomenon. Due to its composition, bee bread is affected by both lipophilic and hydrophilic substances. As proof of concept of a monitoring campaign and to better understand the extent of contamination, we developed an analytical method based on a modified QuEChERS extraction, with subsequent separation by liquid chromatography and detection by mass spectrometry. This allowed for the quantitation of 51 agricultural- or beekeeping-associated pesticides in bee bread. The workflow was applied to 60 samples taken biweekly throughout spring to autumn 2022 from five colonies at a Swiss apiary in an agricultural area. In total, 30 pesticides were identified (> LOD), among which 26 pesticides were quantitated. The total number of pesticides detected per colony ranged from 11 to 19. The most prevalent substances (> LOQ) were two neonicotinoid insecticides, acetamiprid and thiacloprid (max. 16 mu g/kg and 37 mu g/kg, respectively); seven fungicides, azoxystrobin (max. 72 mu g/kg), boscalid (max. 50 mu g/kg), cyprodinil (max. 1965 mu g/kg), difenoconazole (max. 73 mu g/kg), mandipropamid (max. 33 mu g/kg), pyraclostrobin (max. 8 mu g/kg) and trifloxystrobin (max. 38 mu g/kg); and two herbicides, prosulfocarb (max. 38 mu g/kg) and terbuthylazine (max. 26 mu g/kg). The study revealed strong variability in pesticide occurrence and concentrations among colonies sampled at the same site and date. The applied biweekly sampling of bee bread from March to August was shown to be reliable in capturing peak contaminations and revealing the onset of certain pesticides in bee bread. The study provides an adequate practical approach for pesticide monitoring campaigns.

Automated summary

Pesticide contamination of bee products is widespread. We developed an analytical method to monitor pesticide contamination in bee bread. The study revealed significant variability in pesticide occurrence and concentrations among different bee colonies. This study provides a reliable approach for pesticide monitoring campaigns.