The Contents of some Macro and Trace Elements in Uniflora and Multiflora Honey Samples Collected from Three Regions in East Libya

The determination of elements contents in honey has been recently increased as their benefits to human health and as indicator for environmental pollution. In this study, the levels of some macro and trace elements (main mineral contents) and two toxic heavy metals, were evaluated in honey samples. These samples were collected from beekeepers in three different regions in East Libya; including Benghazi, Maraj and Ajdabiya, during 2018. The collected samples included; uniflora and multiflora honey. The levels of ten elements were measured using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (FAAS). The detected metals included; sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), aluminium (Al) and toxic elements; such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd). The results showed, the ranges of macro minerals, Na, Ca, K and Mg varied from 10.93-32.30,39.14- 298.5, 176.24-734.28 and 12.62-55.26mg/kg, respectively. The ranges of trace and toxic elements, Zn, Fe, Cu, Al, Cd and Pb varied from 0.43-2.51, 0.25-0.72, 0.02-0.61, 0.009-0.042, 0- 0.011 and 0-0.009 mg/kg, respectively. The concentrations of all elements were statistically significant difference within all samples (P 0.05), except Zn. The levels of macro and trace elements in the selected Libyan honey samples were variable, while Cd and Pb elements were detected in few honey samples and not detected in the rest. This study reveals that Libyan honeys were high quality, rich in minerals and safe with toxic metals that present within permissible limits of the Libyan Standard Legislation.