Determination of Mineral, Trace Element, and Pesticide Levels in Honey Samples Originating from Different Regions of Malaysia Compared to Manuka Honey

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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A comparison of mineral elements content in conventional and organic milk from Southern Poland

Zywnosc Nauka Technologia Jakosc/Food Science Technology Quality ◽

10.15193/zntj/2018/114/226 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 114 (1) ◽

pp. 137-150

Author(s):

Michał Halagarda ◽

Joanna Ptasińska-Marcinkiewicz ◽

Kamil Fijorek

Keyword(s):

Atomic Absorption Spectrometry ◽

Atomic Absorption ◽

Graphite Furnace ◽

Absorption Spectrometry ◽

Emission Spectrometry ◽

Cow’S Milk ◽

Organic Milk ◽

Cow's Milk ◽

Southern Poland ◽

Flame Atomic Absorption

Milk is one of the most important foodstuffs and raw materials in the food industry. As the first complete food available to infant mammals, it is bioactive and it contains all the indispensable nutrients. Organic farming is deemed to produce high quality food under sustainable conditions and, at the same time, to protect the natural environment within the farm. However, the most recent food and nutrition research does not confirm the extensive health benefits related to the consumption of organic products. The objective of the research study was to evaluate and compare the quality of commercial organic and conventional cow’s milk as regards the contents of some selected mineral compounds. The research was conducted on the organic and conventional cow’s milk available on the market in Southern Poland. The milk samples were analysed for the concentration of selected minerals contained therein, including some selected toxic metals; the analyses were performed with the use of flame atomic absorption spectrometry, atomic emission spectrometry, and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The results of the research show that, in terms of the contents of micro- and macroelements, the organic and conventional milk do not differ significantly. The differences were found only between the amounts of sodium and manganese. The organic milk contained, on average, a statistically significantly smaller amount of those elements. Moreover, the presence of lead was detected in one type of the organic milk, although its amount determined (5.24 mg/l) was within the acceptable limits. Cadmium (amounting to 0.12 and 0.15 μg/l) was found in the two types of milk derived from the same company and in one type of organic milk; however, its concentration in the latter milk type was at a relatively low level (0.04 μg/l).

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