Comprehensive Elemental Profiling of Romanian Honey: Exploring Regional Variance, Honey Types, and Analyzed Metals for Sustainable Apicultural and Environmental Practices
Florin Dumitru Bora,
Andreea Flavia Andrecan,
Anamaria Călugăr,
Claudiu Ioan Bunea,
Maria Popescu,
Ioan Valentin Petrescu-Mag,
Andrea Bunea
Affiliations
Florin Dumitru Bora
Viticulture and Oenology Department, Advanced Horticultural Research Institute of Transylvania, Faculty of Horticulture and Business in Rural Development, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Mănăștur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Andreea Flavia Andrecan
Fruit Growing and Pomology Department, Faculty of Horticulture and Business in Rural Development, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Mănăștur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Anamaria Călugăr
Viticulture and Oenology Department, Advanced Horticultural Research Institute of Transylvania, Faculty of Horticulture and Business in Rural Development, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Mănăștur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Claudiu Ioan Bunea
Viticulture and Oenology Department, Advanced Horticultural Research Institute of Transylvania, Faculty of Horticulture and Business in Rural Development, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Mănăștur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Maria Popescu
Equine Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Mănăștur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Ioan Valentin Petrescu-Mag
Department of Environmental Engineering and Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Mănăștur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Andrea Bunea
Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Animal Science and Biotechnology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Mănăștur Street, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
We investigated the mineral concentrations of 61 honey samples from eight Romanian regions, employing advanced techniques to assess 30 chemical elements. Potassium emerged as the dominant element, showcasing significant variations across geographical locations. Essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, sodium, and manganese maintained consistent levels, while zinc, copper, and chromium were present in smaller proportions. Critically, lead and cadmium levels exceeded established safety limits in some samples, suggesting potential environmental contamination. Additionally, elevated levels of lithium, strontium, nickel, and aluminum were detected, hinting at possible atmospheric pollution. These findings highlight the importance of regional analysis, as mineral content varied significantly between locations. Furthermore, correlation analysis revealed interdependencies among elements, suggesting shared environmental influences. Advanced statistical techniques like hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis effectively captured the impact of geographical origin on honey composition. These insights contribute valuable information for future efforts in honey quality control, traceability systems, and regulatory measures. By providing valuable insights into environmental influences on honey composition, this study informs future research endeavors and paves the way for the development of robust regulatory measures to ensure honey safety for consumers.
