Determination of Pesticides, Heavy Metals, Radioactive Substances, and Antibiotic Residues in Honey

During the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina a large number of chemicals were released into the environment. This research was conducted to evaluate the health safety of honey (meadow, chestnut, acacia, amphorae, and honeydew) produced at 18 different locations in the region of Una-Sana Canton in the northwestern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We determined the pesticides, heavy metals, radioactive elements, and antibiotic residues in 46 honey samples. The content of pesticides and heavy metals (Pb, Cd, As) were not found, and the concentration of Cu, Fe, Zn in all honey samples was in accordance with EU standards. Statistically significant differences (ANOVA) in honey samples were found according to concentrations of Cu (0.09-0.18 mg/kg), Fe (0.29-0.92 mg/kg), and Zn (0.18-1.38 mg/kg). The radionuclide content was determined by means of low-level (<5 Bq/kg), using high-resolution gamma-spectroscopy ( 137 Cs). Antibiotic residues were carried out by disc plate method of microbiological antibiotic assay and all honey samples were negative. The results of this work indicate that this area is not polluted and is suitable for the development of beekeeping.