Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids from Monofloral and Multifloral Italian Honey

Paola Roncada, Gloria Isani (), Mariantonietta Peloso, Thomas Dalmonte, Stefania Bonan and Elisabetta Caprai
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Paola Roncada: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, via Tolara di sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, Italy
Gloria Isani: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, via Tolara di sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, Italy
Mariantonietta Peloso: National Reference Laboratory for Plant Toxins in Food, Food Chemical Department, IZSLER, Via Fiorini, 5, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Thomas Dalmonte: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum—University of Bologna, via Tolara di sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia, Italy
Stefania Bonan: National Reference Laboratory for Plant Toxins in Food, Food Chemical Department, IZSLER, Via Fiorini, 5, 40127 Bologna, Italy
Elisabetta Caprai: National Reference Laboratory for Plant Toxins in Food, Food Chemical Department, IZSLER, Via Fiorini, 5, 40127 Bologna, Italy

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 7, 1-18

Abstract: Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are secondary metabolites produced by plants as a self-defense against insects. After bioactivation in the liver, some PAs can cause acute or chronic toxicity in humans. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of PAs in 121 samples of monofloral and multifloral honey from three different Italian regions (Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Marche and Calabria) to meet the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) suggestion. An in-house liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was validated according to European Union Reference Laboratory (EURL) performance criteria. This method allowed the detection and quantification of 35 PAs. Of the 121 honey samples, 38 (31%), mostly from Calabria, contained PAs. The total content of the PAs ranged from 0.9 µg/kg to 33.1 µg/kg. In particular, echimidine was the most prevalent PA. A rapid human exposure assessment to PAs in honey and a risk characterization was performed using the EFSA RACE tool. The assessment highlighted a potential health concern only for toddlers who frequently consume elevated quantities of honey. This study showed a low presence of PAs in Italian honey; however, the importance of continuously monitoring these compounds is stressed, along with the suggestion that the relevant authorities establish maximum limits to guarantee support for producers and consumer safety.

Keywords: honey; Boraginaceae; pyrrolizidine alkaloids; echimidine; health risk assessment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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