Honey as an environmental marker

Contents of Zn, Cd and Pb in honey samples (15) from the Pomeranian region were determined by atomic absorption spectrometer AAS. The mean values for Zn, Cd and Pb were 7.76, 0.015 and 0.048 mg/kg, respectively. Also determined in the honey samples were invert sugar, sucrose, HMF, diastase activity, pH, electrical conductivity, moisture and mechanical pollutions. Pomeranian honeys were of good quality, but they were not free of heavy metals. Results suggested that honey may be useful for assessing the presence of environmental contaminants.