Monitoring Moroccan Honeys: Physicochemical Properties and Contamination Pattern

The physicochemical traits and an array of organic and inorganic contaminants were monitored in monofloral honeys (i.e., jujube [Ziziphus lotus], sweet orange [Citrus sinensis], PGI Euphorbia [Euphorbia resinifera] and Globularia alyphum) from the Moroccan Béni Mellal-Khénifra region (i.e., Khénifra...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Foods Vol. 12; no. 5; p. 969
Main Authors: Massous, Abir, Ouchbani, Tarik, Lo Turco, Vincenzo, Litrenta, Federica, Nava, Vincenzo, Albergamo, Ambrogina, Potortì, Angela Giorgia, Di Bella, Giuseppa
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 24.02.2023
MDPI
Subjects:
acephate
Agricultural management
Agricultural practices
Alachlor
Apiculture
Bans
Beekeeping
Biodiversity
bisphenols
Carbofuran
Chrysene
Citrus sinensis
Contaminants
Contamination
Control
Diazinon
Dibutyl phthalate
Dimethoate
Euphorbia resinifera
European Union
Fenthion
Fluorene
fluorenes
Food contamination
Food contamination & poisoning
Food science
Fruits
Fungicides
Globularia
Globularia alypum
Health aspects
Herbicides
Honey
Inorganic contaminants
Insecticides
Modernization
Moroccan honey
Oranges
Organic chemicals
organic contaminants
PCB
Pesticide residues
Pesticides
Physicochemical properties
physicochemical traits
Plasticizers
Pollutants
Polychlorinated biphenyls
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Risk factors
sulfoxides
Sustainable agriculture
Sustainable practices
Ziziphus jujuba
Ziziphus lotus
Morocco
United States > US
beekeeping
bisphenols
Moroccan honey
plasticizers
potentially toxic elements
physicochemical traits
organic contaminants
ISSN:2304-8158, 2304-8158
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:The physicochemical traits and an array of organic and inorganic contaminants were monitored in monofloral honeys (i.e., jujube [Ziziphus lotus], sweet orange [Citrus sinensis], PGI Euphorbia [Euphorbia resinifera] and Globularia alyphum) from the Moroccan Béni Mellal-Khénifra region (i.e., Khénifra, Beni Méllal, Azlal and Fquih Ben Salah provinces). Moroccan honeys were in line with the physicochemical standards set by the European Union. However, a critical contamination pattern has been outlined. In fact, jujube, sweet orange, and PGI Euphorbia honeys contained pesticides, such as acephate, dimethoate, diazinon, alachlor, carbofuran and fenthion sulfoxide, higher than the relative EU Maximum Residue Levels. The banned 2,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB118) and 2,2′,3,4,4′,5,5′-heptachlorobiphenyl (PCB180) were detected in all samples and quantified in jujube, sweet orange and PGI Euphorbia honeys; while polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), such as chrysene and fluorene, stood out for their higher contents in jujube and sweet orange honeys. Considering plasticizers, all honeys showed an excessive amount of dibutyl phthalate (DBP), when (improperly) considering the relative EU Specific Migration Limit. Furthermore, sweet orange, PGI Euphorbia and G. alypum honeys were characterized by Pb exceeding the EU Maximum Level. Overall, data from this study may encourage Moroccan governmental bodies to strengthen their monitoring activity in beekeeping and to find suitable solutions for implementing more sustainable agricultural practices.
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ISSN:2304-8158
2304-8158
DOI:10.3390/foods12050969