Determination of metal content in honey by atomic absorption and emission spectrometries

Honey contains a variety of metals. Major metals are primarily derived from soil and nectar-producing plants, but consideration also needs to be given to environmental pollution or other anthropogenic sources of metals in honey, especially of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn, which may present hazards to human health and adversely affect the quality and the safety of honey. This review surveys the literature from the past 15 years on determination of the metal content of honey by atomic absorption and emission spectrometries. It pays particular attention to sample treatment, sample preparation and measurement techniques. It also discusses the suitability of information on the composition of metals in honey for classifying according to botanical and geographical origin or indicating and controlling environmental pollution. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.