Phytochemical evaluation and health risk assessment of honey from an Apiary in Amizi, Ikuano local government area, Abia State, Nigeria

• Published in: Scientific African Vol. 13; p. e00885
• Main Authors: Duru, Chidi Edbert, Duru, Ijeoma Akunna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-09-2021; Elsevier
• Subjects: Apiary; Health risk; Honey; Mineral elements; Nickel; Phytochemicals; Apiary; Honey; Nickel; Phytochemicals; Mineral elements; Health risk
• ISSN: 2468-2276; 2468-2276
• DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2021.e00885

The phytochemical and mineral element compositions of honey from an apiary in Amizi community, Abia State, Nigeria were determined and possible health risks as a result of the presence and concentration of the identified mineral elements assessed. The most abundant phytochemicals in the honey samples were phenols, sapogenin, sparteine, lunamarin, flavanone, and proanthocyanin, with mean concentrations 102.53 µg/g, 81.40 µg/, 58.92 µg/g, 42.84 µg/g, 36.14 µg/g and 27.56 µg/g respectively. The concentration of iron, nickel, copper, zinc, and lead were 17.60 ± 3.68, 6.40 ± 0.48, 5.60 ± 0.88, 15.80 ± 3.84, and 1.20 ±0.32 mg/kg respectively. The health risk assessment showed that lead, nickel, aluminum, copper, and zinc in the honey samples did not pose non-carcinogenic risk to the health of the consumers. However, the carcinogenic risk of nickel was found to be 1.64(-3) which exceeded the acceptable level of 10(-4). This finding indicated that the consumption of this honey could pose a potential cancer risk to its consumers. Regulatory agencies in all countries should, therefore, introduce mandatory regulations and laws that would control honey production, handling, and quality check to ascertain its safety level.