Determination of Mineral, Trace Element, and Pesticide
Levels in Honey Samples Originating from Different Regions of Malaysia Compared
to Manuka Honey
Volume 2014 (2014), Article ID 359890, 10 pages
The present study was undertaken to determine the content of
six minerals, five trace elements, and ten pesticide residues in honeys
originating from different regions of Malaysia. Calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg),
iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) were analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry
(FAAS), while sodium (Na) and potassium (K) were analyzed by flame emission
spectrometry (FAES).
Trace elements such as arsenic (As), lead (Pb), cadmium
(Cd), copper (Cu), and cobalt (Co) were analyzed by graphite furnace atomic
absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) following the microwave digestion of honey.
High mineral contents were observed in the investigated honeys with K, Na, Ca,
and Fe being the most abundant elements (mean concentrations of 1349.34,
236.80, 183.67, and 162.31 mg/kg, resp.). The concentrations of the trace
elements were within the recommended limits, indicating that the honeys were of
good quality. Principal component analysis reveals good discrimination between
the different honey samples. The pesticide analysis for the presence of
organophosphorus and carbamates was performed by high performance liquid
chromatography (HPLC). No pesticide residues were detected in any of the
investigated honey samples, indicating that the honeys were pure.
Our study
reveals that Malaysian honeys are rich sources of minerals with trace elements
present within permissible limits and that they are free from pesticide
contamination.
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