Determination of Trace, Micro and Macro Elemental Concentration of Eritrean Honeys.

In this study macro, micro and trace elemental concentrations were measured in Eritrean acacia honey samples by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (Al, B, C, K, Mg, Na, P and S) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn). The concentration of essential elements in the examined Eritrean acacia honeys decreased in the following order: K > P > Ca > Mg > Fe > Zn > Mn > Cu > Sr > Mo. Independent samples T test was used to determine the statistically verified differences between the two regions, but there was none; however there were remarkable differences among the measured element contents of specific honey samples. Elemental concentrations of Eritrean honeys are influenced by the characteristics of the collecting area (e.g. elevation, agricultural activities, water resources).Our samples showed low essential elemental concentration; therefore the consumption of these honeys does not contribute significantly to the nutrition reference value (NRV) (around 1% of NRV). Toxic elemental concentrations were also low; thus the calculated estimated daily intakes were much lower than the tolerable daily intakes. Consumption of these honeys presents no risk for the human body.

Composition of acacia honeys following processing, storage and adulteration.

This study investigated the effect of different treatments (centrifugation and filtration; heating; adulteration with sugar syrups, and storage) and collection variables (year and region of the country) on the physicochemical properties of 44 Hungarian acacia honeys. The characteristics measured were diastase activity, hydroxyl-methyl-furfural (HMF), total phenolic content (TPC), electrical conductivity (EC), colour, pH, proline, moisture, sucrose, fructose and glucose contents, and concentration of eleven elements (As, B, Cd, Cr, Fe, K, Mg, Na, P, S, Zn). Centrifugation and filtration reduced the concentration of all examined parameters, except for moisture. Heating reduced diastase activity, proline and total phenolic concentrations and increased HMF concentration and colour value. Adulteration with sugar syrups had adverse effects on the diastase activity, proline, moisture and sugar concentrations, EC, colour and pH. Two-year storage reduced diastase activity, HMF, proline and TPC concentrations and increased sucrose concentrations. The collecting area influenced Na, Fe and As concentration, but the collecting year had no effect on the examined parameters. It is concluded that method and region of honey collection, duration of storage and processing all have major effects on the quality of acacia honey. Applied sugar syrup, although it affected honey quality, would be difficult to detect in the finished product.

Examination of honeys and flowers as soil element indicators.

Detection of soil element deficiencies is time consuming, requiring a major commitment for field work and analysis. Bees concentrate some elements in their honey which could allow soil element concentrations to be predicted without having to take large numbers of soil samples. We measured 14 element concentrations in soil, sunflower, acacia flower and honey samples from two different regions of Hungary. Across sites, the elements with significant correlation coefficients between honey and soil concentrations, in descending order of probability, were Cu > Ba >Sr = Ni > Zn > Mn = Pb >As. Bioconcentration from soil to honey was similar for areas with acacia and sunflower flowers. In the macroelements, it was the greatest for K, S and P and least for Mg and Na, and in the microelements, greatest for B, then Zn, then Cu, then As, Mo and Sr and least for Fe, Ba, Mn and Pb. It is concluded that in acacia and sunflower-growing regions, honey can give an accurate estimate of soil element concentrations for Cu and Ba and provides relevant information for Sr, Ni, Zn, Mn, Pb and As.

Determination of essential and toxic elements in Hungarian honeys.

The aim of this present study was determination of essential and toxic element concentrations in 34 mono- and multi-floral honey samples from four geographical regions of Hungary, and examination of the connection between the floral origin and the element content. Ten elements (Al, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, P, S and Zn) were identified by ICP-OES and six (As, Cd, Cr, Mo, Pb, Se) were analysed by ICP-MS. Potassium, calcium, and phosphorus were the most abundant elements with mean concentrations of 372, 47.9 and 44.3 mg kg(-1), respectively. The essential element content was very low in the analysed samples and generally below literature values. The concentrations of toxic elements were sufficiently low as to pose no risk to human health. The concentrations of aluminium, arsenic, cadmium and lead were low, with mean concentrations of 1028, 15.6, 0.746 and 45.5 µg kg(-1), respectively. Three honey groups (acacia, rape and sunflower) were distinguished by linear discriminant analysis from their element content.