Honey as an environmental marker

Contents of Zn, Cd and Ph 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 determin ed in the honey samples were invert sugar, sucrose, HMF, diastase activity, pH, electrical conductivity, moisture and mechanical pollutions. Pomerania n honeys were of good quality, but they were not free of heavy metals. Resu lts suggested that honey may be useful for assessing the presence of enviro nmental contaminants. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.