Analysis of Heavy Metals in Honey from North-Western Regions of Iran

Authors

1 Department of Food Health and Safety, School of Health, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran

2 Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

3 D.V.M student, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

Abstract

In the present study, the concentrations of three heavy metals including lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and arsenic (As) in 72 different honey samples collected from North-Western regions of Iran were investigated using atomic absorption spectroscopy method. All metals were detected in 88.88% of the honey samples. The range of metals contamination in honey samples was 0.01 to 11.09 ppm. Zn was the most abundant metal, with an average concentration of 4.41±2.4 ppm. The mean levels of Pb (0.12 ppm) and Zn (6.84 ppm) in honey samples of East Azerbaijan Province was significantly higher than average level of these metals in honeys from other provinces. Based on the results of this study and compared with recommended daily intakes, the heavy metal content of honey samples was not harm and is unlikely to cause any intoxication following honey consumption.

Keywords

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 05 January 2016
  • Revise Date: 30 July 2021
  • Accept Date: 29 October 2018

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