title: Propolis as an indicator of environmental contamination by metals.
abstract: Concentrations of eleven representative metals (Al, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Pb and Zn) in forty-two propolis samples were measured by electrothermal atomization and flame atomic absorption spectrometry after calcination in a muffle furnace. Samples were collected from different regions from Paraná State - Brazil where apiculture is an important economic activity. Results showed that the average content of Al, Ca, K, Mg, Mn, Na and Zn in propolis was 0.68, 1.66, 7.59, 1.27, 0.08, 0.58 and 0.02 mg g(-1), respectively. Levels of Al, Ca, and Mg were statistically different in some regions of Paraná and could be used to assign the geographical origin of the propolis. The average concentration of the Cd, Cr, and Pb in raw propolis was 0.13, 5.53 and 9.85 μg g(-1), respectively, and allowed for identification of specific areas with environmental contamination.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Química, Setor de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Centro-Oeste - UNICENTRO, Rua Simeão Varela de Sá, 3, Guarapuava, PR, Brazil.
authors.forename: Daiane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Finger
authors.forename: Irineo Kelte
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Filho
authors.forename: Yohandra Reyes
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: Sueli Pércio
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Quináia
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis*; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D011429:Propolis / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D008670:Metals; D011429:Propolis