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Detection of Pesticide Residues in Selected Bee Products of Honeybees (Apis melllifera L.) Colonies in a Preliminary Study from Seychelles Archipelago

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Abstract

Pesticide residues in honey and pollen from Seychelles against a target of 108 pesticides using LC-MS/MS were analyzed. Fifteen pesticides were detected, at trace levels (< 15 ppb) and below the acceptable maximum residue limits (MRLs) as per EU regulations. In honey, six insecticide and three fungicide residues were detected. Eight insecticide and four fungicide residues were detected in the pollen matrix. The least contaminated honey and pollen samples had three and nine chemical residues respectively while the most contaminated honey and pollen samples had eight and eleven chemical residues respectively. Contact and oral LD50 values were used to calculate Pollen Hazard Quotients (PHQ) = concentration in ppb ÷ LD50 as µg/bee. The pollen hazard quotients (PHQ) obtained are way below those reported in literature. Residues were detected in low quantities, however, their high frequency and diversity and possible synergistic interactions may lead to negative impact on honeybees’ health in Seychelles.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to IFAD whose grant (Grant Number 2000000282) supported this work. We also greatly appreciate the beekeepers who gave us access to their colonies for sampling purposes. We are grateful to the reviewers and the editor for their detailed comments and suggestions which helped to significantly improve the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), Nairobi, Kenya

    Elliud Muli, Joseph Kilonzo, Justus Kurgat, Janet Irungu & Suresh Raina

  2. South Eastern Kenya University, Kitui, Kenya

    Elliud Muli

  3. Seychelles Agriculture Agency, English River, Seychelles

    Norman Dogley & Gerald Monthy

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  1. Elliud Muli
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  2. Joseph Kilonzo
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  3. Norman Dogley
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  4. Gerald Monthy
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  5. Justus Kurgat
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  6. Janet Irungu
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  7. Suresh Raina
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Correspondence to Elliud Muli.

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Muli, E., Kilonzo, J., Dogley, N. et al. Detection of Pesticide Residues in Selected Bee Products of Honeybees (Apis melllifera L.) Colonies in a Preliminary Study from Seychelles Archipelago. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 101, 451–457 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-018-2423-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-018-2423-4

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