Analysis of trace-elements and toxic heavy metals in honeys from Tlemcen Province, north-western

Eighteen honeys collected from various botanical and geographical sources in Tlemcen Province (north-western Algeria) were studied to determine the presence of the following fifteen trace elements and heavy metals: K, Na, Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu, Fe, Zn, V, Cr, Co, As, Cd, Pb and W. Element determination was performed by inductively coupled plasma- mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), after digestion, by concentrated nitric acid using microwave mineralizer. The most abundant minerals were K, Ca, Mg and Na ranging within 153-989 mg/kg, 33.1-377 mg/kg, 69.1-162 mg/kg and 13.3-146 mg/kg, respectively. Fe was the most abundant heavy metal followed by Mn, Zn and Cu while Cr, Co, V, W, As, Cd and Pb were the lowest trace elements detected at level < 1 mg/kg in the honey samples surveyed. The variation in the mineral content in the honey samples studied is probably due to geochemical and geographical differences. Multivariate methods were used in order to classify honey samples according to their mineral content. The present study revealed that honeys collected from the various beekeepers apiaries of Tlemcen Province were not contaminated with toxic trace elements and therefore poses no threat to consumers