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Levels of heavy metals in a multifloral Saudi honey

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Abstract

The presence of chemical pollutants, especially heavy metals, affects the quality of honey. The objective of this study was to determine the levels of eight heavy metals (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in honey samples from Al-Baha region in Saudi Arabia, using inductively coupled plasma with optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The highest concentration was found for Zn (1707.93 μg kg−1), while the lowest was found for Co (3.04 μg kg−1). Cluster analysis and principal component analysis showed that two groups are recognized indicating two different metal sources. The first group includes only Zn and the second group includes the rest of the metals. In view of the recommended and established heavy metal intakes for humans, consumption of Saudi honey from Al-Baha should not be deemed a matter of concern for human health.

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Acknowledgement

The authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Saud University for funding this work through research group no (RG-1440-28).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia

    Abdulqader Y. Bazeyad, Ali S. Al-Sarar & Yasser Abobakr

  2. ETAL Consulting and Services, 2951 SE Midvale Dr, Corvallis, OR, 97333, USA

    Ahmed I. Rushdi

  3. College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA

    Ahmed I. Rushdi

  4. Central Laboratory of Residue Analysis of Pesticides and Heavy Metals in Food (QCAP), Agricultural Research Center, 7 Nadi Elsaid Street, Dokki, Giza, 12311, Egypt

    Ashraf S. Hassanin

  5. Plant Protection Research Institute, Sabahia Research Station, Agricultural Research Center, Sabahia, Baccous, P.O. Box 21616, Alexandria, Egypt

    Yasser Abobakr

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  1. Abdulqader Y. Bazeyad
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  2. Ali S. Al-Sarar
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Correspondence to Yasser Abobakr.

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Bazeyad, A.Y., Al-Sarar, A.S., Rushdi, A.I. et al. Levels of heavy metals in a multifloral Saudi honey. Environ Sci Pollut Res 26, 3946–3953 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-3909-7

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