Inorganic element concentrations in honeys from different floral sources in Rio de Janeiro State (Southeast Brazil)

Avaliação da concentração de elementos inorgânicos em méis de diferentes floradas do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (Sudeste, Brasil)

The presence of inorganic elements in foods has been increasingly discussed in recent years due to their potential impacts on human health. Among foods widely consumed across all age groups, honey is recognized as a natural product derived from Apis mellifera bees, with a chemical composition that varies according to the botanical and/or geographical origin of the nectar source. Current Brazilian legislation, specifically Normative Instruction No. 160, as amended by Normative Instruction No. 351 of ANVISA (Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency), establishes maximum tolerated limits (MTLs) for inorganic contaminants in honey. This study assessed the concentrations of Ag, As, Ba, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Se, Sr, and V in honey samples produced and marketed in Rio de Janeiro state (RJ), Brazil. A total of 58 samples from 16 municipalities were analyzed and categorized according to floral origin. The samples were prepared by microwave-assisted digestion, and inorganic constituents were quantified using inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-based techniques. Statistical analysis of the results was conducted using principal component analysis (PCA) to investigate interrelationships among elemental concentrations (variables) and sample clustering. The PCA results revealed differences in the concentration profiles of the inorganic elements among floral types. Furthermore, arsenic (AS) and lead (Pb) concentrations in some samples exceeded the limits established by Brazilian regulations. These findings highlighted the importance of monitoring honey contamination to prevent potential risks to public health.

Key words:
contaminants; inorganic elements; spectrometry; PCA