Sweet but Toxic: Organophosphate Pesticide Residues in Nigerian Honey as an Emerging Threat to Food Safety and Agriculture
Keywords:
Honey, Pesticides, Nutritional Analysis, Purity, MRLs
Abstract
Honey, despite its nutritional and therapeutic properties, can pose significant risks to environmental health and food safety due to the presence of contaminants. This study investigated the occurrence of organophosphate pesticide residues in honey samples collected from hard-to-reach apiaries in Nigeria and examined the relationship between these residues, honey purity, and nutritional composition. Multiple organophosphate residues were detected using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry, with dimethoate and merphor being the most prevalent. Although all detected concentrations were below the maximum residue limits (MRLs) set by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), some values, particularly dimethoate from Imosan, approached the regulatory thresholds. Nutritional analysis revealed that the protein, moisture, ash, and sugar contents of the honey samples generally fell within international quality standards. Statistical correlations indicated strong associations between honey purity and pesticide residues, as well as with moisture and dry matter content. This study underscores the need for continuous monitoring of pesticide residues in apicultural products and highlights potential implications for food safety and public health.References
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5. Al Alam, J., Fajloun, Z., Chabni, A., Millet, M. The use of honey as environmental biomonitor of pesticides contamination in northern Lebanon. Euro-Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration, 2017; 2: 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41207-017-0034-9
6. Al-Juhaimi, F. Y., Ozcan, M. M., Mohamed Ahmed, I. A., Alsawmahia, O. N., Ozcan, M. M., Ghafoor, K., Babiker, E. E. Bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, fatty acid composition, and antimicrobial activity of propolis from different locations in Turkey. Journal of Apicultural Research, 2022; 61: 246–254. https://doi.org/10.1080/00218839.2021.1898785
7. Alvarez-Suarez, J. M., Tulipani, S., Romandini, S., Bertoli, E., Battino, M. Contribution of honey in nutrition and human health: a review. Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, 2010; 3: 15-23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12349-009-0051-6
8. Anikwe, J. C., Akinwande, K.L., Adeonipekun, P. A. and Makanjuola, W. A. Hive management of honeybee, Apis mellifera adansonii Latreille and mellisopalynological and proximate analyses of honey samples from agrarian regions of Lagos State, Nigeria. FUTA Journal of Research in Sciences, 2016; 12 (1): 94-106.
https://ir.unilag.edu.ng/handle/123456789/4801
9. Azeredo, L., Azeredo, M. A. A., De Souza, S. R. and Dutra, V. M. L. Protein contents and physicochemical properties in honey samples of Apis mellifera of different floral origins. Food Chemistry, 2003; 80(2): 249-254. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0308-8146(02)00261-3
10. Bakour, M., Laaroussi, H., El Menyiy, N., Elaraj, T., El Ghouizi, A., Lyoussi, B. The Beekeeping State and Inventory of Mellifero-Medicinal Plants in the North-Central of Morocco. The Scientific World Journal, 2021; (1): 9039726. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/9039726
11. Balayiannis, G., Balayiannis, P. Bee honey as an environmental bioindicator of pesticides’ occurrence in six agricultural areas of Greece. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 2008; 55(3):462e470. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-007-9126-x
12. Barganska, Z., S_lebioda, M., Namie snik, J. Pesticide residues levels in honey from apiaries located of Northern Poland. Food Control, 2013; 31(1): 196e201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2012.09.049
13. Baša Česnik, H., Kmecl, V., Velikonja Bolta, Š. Pesticide and veterinary drug residues in honey-validation of methods and a survey of organic and conventional honeys from Slovenia. Food Additives Contaminants: Part A, 2019; 36(9): 1358-1375. https://doi.org/10.1080/19440049.2019.1631492
14. Beekman, M., Ratnieks, F. L. W. Long-range foraging by the honey-bee, Apis mellifera L. Functional Ecology, 2000; 14(4): 490-496. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2435.2000.00443.x.
15. Blasco, C., Fernandez, M., Pena, A., Lino, C., Silveira, M. I., Font, G., et al. (2003). Assessment of pesticide residues in honey samples from Portugal and Spain. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 51(27), 8132e8138. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf034870m
16. Bogdanov, S. Contaminants of bee products. Apidologie, 2006; 37(1): 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1051/apido:2005043
17. Bogdanov, S., 2009. Honey composition. The honey book. 1-10.
18. Boussaid A., Chouaibia M., Rezigb L., Hellalc R., Donsìa F., Ferraria G. et al. Physicochemical and Bioactive Properties of Six Honey Samples from Various Floral Origins from Tunisia. Arabian Journal of Chemistry, 2018; 11(2):265-274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arabjc.2014.08.011
19. Buba F., Gidado A. and Shugaba A. Analysis of Biochemical Composition of Honey Samples from North-East Nigeria. Biochemistry and Analytical Biochemistry, 2013; 2(3):1-7. https://doi.org/10.4172/2161-1009.1000139
20. Calatayud-Vernich, P., Calatayud, F., Simó, E., Picó, Y. Pesticide residues in honey bees, pollen and beeswax: Assessing beehive exposure. Environmental Pollution, 2018; 241: 106-114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.05.062
21. Calatayud-Vernich, P., Calatayud, F., Simó, E., Suarez-Varela, M. M., Picó, Y. Influence of pesticide use in fruit orchards during blooming on honeybee mortality in 4 experimental apiaries. Science of the Total Environment, 2016; 541: 33-41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.08.131
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Published
2025-05-29
How to Cite
1.
Ogunbo O, Osibogun A, Owagboriaye F, Ariyibi M, Adeyemi A, Julius B, Aina S, Lawal O. Sweet but Toxic: Organophosphate Pesticide Residues in Nigerian Honey as an Emerging Threat to Food Safety and Agriculture. Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences [Internet]. 29May2025 [cited 28Aug.2025];9(1). Available from: https://journals.unza.zm/index.php/JABS/article/view/1403
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