A study of Hg and Pb content in meliponine honey (Apidae: Meliponini)

Abstract

Stingless bee or pot-honey has been previously studied to ascertain composition, bioactivity and sensory attributes. In this study, the honey produced by six meliponines in Argentina (Tetragonisca fiebrigi), Australia (Tetragonula carbonaria, Austroplebeia simei), Brazil (Melipona manaosensis, Melipona seminigra pernigra) and Venezuela (Melipona favosa), was evaluated with spectroscopic techniques for lead and mercury content. Lead values varied between 109.75 and 332.33 μg/kg, and mercury between 12.96 and 145.21 μg/kg. This is similar to honey of Apis mellifera.