Organochlorine pesticides in honeybee, pollen and honey in Bursa, Turkey.

g-In this study, the presence of OCP residues in the honeybee, pollen and honey samples in urban and semi-urban areas were investigated. A total of 10 OCP concentrations (∑10OCP) in honeybee samples were 39.14 ± 11.06 ng g-1 for the urban area and 39.93 ± 7.09 ng g-1 for the semi-urban area, respectively. Similarly, ∑10OCP concentrations in pollen and honey samples were estimated to be 21.72 ± 4.43 ng g-1 and 41.83 ± 1.61 ng g-1 for the urban area, 19.77 ± 2.86 ng g-1 and 39.23 ± 3.90 ng g-1 for the semi-urban area, respectively. Also, it was concluded that the existence of OCP residues in both sampling areas was due to the recent use of pesticides. Finally, the cancer risk caused by the consumption of pollen and honey samples was evaluated, and it was found that there was no cancer risk in both sampling areas.

Erythromycin residue in honey from the Southern Marmara region of Turkey.

Honey samples, collected from the Southern Marmara region of Turkey, were analysed for erythromycin residues by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry using electrospray ionization in the positive ion mode (LC-ESI-MS). Fifty samples, comprising chestnut, pine, linden and multi-flower honeys, were collected directly from hives and analyzed. The limit of detection and quantification were 6 and 20 ng g(-1), respectively, and recovery ranged from 85 to 89%. Four of the honey samples (8%) were found to be contaminated with erythromycin residues at concentrations ranging from 50 to 1776 ng g(-1). An erythromycin-fortified cake feeding assay was also performed in a defined hive to test the transfer of erythromycin residue to the honey matrix. In this test hive, the residue level in the honey, 3 months after dosing, was approximately 28 ng g(-1).