title: Heavy Metal Contents and Physical Parameters of Aegiceras corniculatum, Brassica juncea, and Litchi chinensis Honeys from Bangladesh.
abstract: The present study was undertaken to determine the heavy metal levels and the physicochemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and ash, moisture, and total sugar content) of honeys from Bangladesh. Three different floral honeys were investigated, namely, khalsi (Aegiceras corniculatum), mustard (Brassica juncea), and litchi (Litchi chinensis) honeys. The heavy metals in the honeys were determined by using a High Temperature Dry Oxidation method followed by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy. The mean pH, EC, and ash, moisture, and total sugar contents of the investigated honeys were 3.6, 0.51 mS/cm, 0.18%, 18.83%, and 68.30%, respectively. Iron was the most abundant among all the investigated heavy metals, ranging from 13.51 to 15.44 mg/kg. The mean concentrations of Mn and Zn in the investigated honeys were 0.28 mg/kg and 2.99 mg/kg, respectively. Cd was below the detection limit, and lead was found in some honey samples, but their contents were below the recommended Maximum Acceptable Level. Cr was also found in all of the samples, but its concentration was within the limit. The physicochemical analysis of the honey samples yielded levels within the limits set by the international honey legislation, indicating that the honey samples were of good quality and had acceptable values for maturity, purity, and freshness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Nandita
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sarker
authors.affiliation: Agrochemical and Environmental Research Division, Institute of Food and Radiation Biology, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Savar, Dhaka 1349, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Muhammed Alamgir Zaman
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Chowdhury
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Abu Naieum Muhammad
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Fakhruddin
authors.affiliation: Agrochemical and Environmental Research Division, Institute of Food and Radiation Biology, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Savar, Dhaka 1349, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Zeenath
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Fardous
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moniruzzaman
authors.affiliation: Human Genome Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Siew Hua
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Gan
mesh_terms: D001459:Bangladesh; D006722:Honey / Q000032:analysis*; D032125:Litchi / Q000737:chemistry*; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000737:chemistry*; D009149:Mustard Plant / Q000737:chemistry*; D029623:Primulaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy