DETERMINATION OF HEAVY METALS CONTENT IN COTTON HONEY IN KAFR EL-SHIEKH PROVINCE, EGYPT

Honey samples were collected from nine regions represented for Kafr El-Sheikh Province, Egypt during cotton season in 2011, to estimate certain heavy metals in cotton honey. The obtained results showed that, all honey samples contained four heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Zn and Pb) and their levels were found below acceptable limits The elements of Fe, Mn, Zn and Pb in cotton honey ranged between 20.00-44.50, 0.42-1.40, 1.20-3.28 and 0.50-2.37 mg/kg, respectively. The risk elements (Cu, Cd, Ni and Cr) were not detected in all samples. Significant (P 0.01) positive correlations between Fe and Mn as well as between Zn and Pb were observed. It can be concluded that the heavy metals content of cotton honey in Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate significantly depended on the area from where it was harvested.