Chapters authored
Analytical Procedures for Determining Heavy Metal Contents in Honey: A Bioindicator of Environmental Pollution
Metals are pollutant residues detectable in honey and in fact account for most of the inorganic pollutants found in this food product. Metal pollutants can be accumulated through the food chain and, at levels exceeding safe thresholds, can be toxic to humans and even damage physiological functions. During the honey-making process, bees can transport pollutants to the beehive following contact with polluted botanic species or from drinking contaminated water. Detecting very low concentrations is a persisting challenge to accurately measure these elements in honey. Additionally, since honey is a complex organic matrix, treatments are needed prior to applying any classical chemical methods for metal determination, such as inductively coupled plasma and atomic absorption spectroscopy. Therefore, optimal results are dependent on adequate sample conditioning prior to heavy metal content analyses. Chemical pretreatments include calcination processes and/or acid digestion. Regarding execution, the last steps of any metal detection methodology are the primary determinants of result quality, where any loss of mass is reflected by unreliable values.
Part of the book: Honey Analysis
Determination of Pesticides Residues in Bee Products: An Overview of the Current Analytical Methods
The presence of undesirable compounds in honey and other bee products may modify their biological attributes. Such molecules may be present because of different human activities (i.e., pollutants, pesticides) or because of veterinary treatments designed to control and prevent diseases that affect bees. The use of pesticides in agricultural crops has been related with negative effects with and acute damages for bees. The widespread agricultural use of neonicotinoids is a common exposure pathway for bees, and it may be an important factor in declining bee health. In 2013, the European Union has forbidden the use of three pesticides belonging to the neonicotinoids: Imidacloprid, Thiamethoxam, and Clothianidin after the analysis of several scientific results of some studies where those pesticides were involved in an increased death of bees.
Part of the book: Insecticides