Levels of Some Selected Trace and Essential Elements in Honey

Honey is a natural sweet substance and is produced by honeybees from the nectar of blossoms, from secretion of living parts of plants. In the present study the levels of some selected trace and essential elements (Cu, Co, Mn and Zn) in honey sampled from selected Woredas of Sidama Zone (i.e. Aroresa, Bensa, chire, Arbegona and Hula Woredas), Southern Region, Ethiopia were analyzed. Known weight (1 gm) of honey samples were digested by microwave digester using 5 ml of HNO3 and 2 ml of H2O2. The validity of the digestion procedure was checked by spiking the samples with a standard of known concentration of the analyte metals mixture solutions and determining the percent recovery. The contents of the minerals in the digests were analyzed using flame atomic absorption spectrometer (FAAS). The following concentration ranges (mg/kg) were found in Honey: Cu (0.027-0.0696), Mn (0.0693- 0.815) and Zn (0.0620-0.3359). Where as Co was not detected in all honey samples. The concentration of Mn was highest followed by Zn and Cu in the five honey samples (i.e. Mn>Zn>Cu). The concentration of each metal (i.e. Cu, Mn, Zn) is highest in the Hula Woreda honey and least in Aroresa Woreda honey.