The Negligible Effect of Toxic Metal Accumulation in the Flowers of Melliferous Plants on the Mineral Composition of Monofloral Honeys

Monika Tomczyk (), Grzegorz Zaguła, Mateusz Kaczmarski, Czesław Puchalski and Małgorzata Dżugan
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Monika Tomczyk: Department of Chemistry and Food Toxicology, Institute of Food Technology and Nutrition, College of Life Sciences, University of Rzeszow, 1a Cwiklinskiej St., 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland
Grzegorz Zaguła: Department of Bioenergetics, Food Analysis and Microbiology, Institute of Food Technology and Nutrition, College of Life Sciences, University of Rzeszow, 2D Cwiklinskiej St., 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland
Mateusz Kaczmarski: Department of Agriculture, The Jan Grodek State Vocational Academy in Sanok, 21 Mickiewicza St., 38-500 Sanok, Poland
Czesław Puchalski: Department of Bioenergetics, Food Analysis and Microbiology, Institute of Food Technology and Nutrition, College of Life Sciences, University of Rzeszow, 2D Cwiklinskiej St., 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland
Małgorzata Dżugan: Department of Chemistry and Food Toxicology, Institute of Food Technology and Nutrition, College of Life Sciences, University of Rzeszow, 1a Cwiklinskiej St., 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland

Agriculture, 2023, vol. 13, issue 2, 1-12

Abstract: The accumulation of heavy metals in plant pollen and nectar exposes pollinators to environmental contaminations. Although honeybees act as biofilters and impede the transfer of heavy metals to honey, possible antagonistic interactions could negatively affect the mineral composition of bee-processed nectar. The aim of this study was to assess the level of harmful metals (Cd, Pd, Hg, Al, Ni and Tl) in relation to essential macro- (K, Ca and Mg) and microelements (Mn, Fe, Zn, Cu and Se) in three melliferous plant species (n = 45)—rapeseed, dandelion, and goldenrod—using the ICP-OES method. Metal transferability to three types of monofloral honey (n = 45) produced from these plants was evaluated. Among the studied plants, goldenrod and dandelion were found to be Cd and Pb accumulators; however, regardless of the plant species, only traces of harmful metals were found in honey (<0.015 and <0.043 mg/kg, respectively). What is more, the adverse impact of accumulated toxic metals (Tl, Cd, Ni, Pb and Al) on Ca, Mg and K levels in plants was noted, though it was not reflected in honey. Our findings suggest that in moderately contaminated environments, toxic metals are not transferred to honey and do not disturb its beneficial mineral composition.

Keywords: heavy metals; minerals; interaction; plant; honey; translocation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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