Residues of organic contaminants in honey from four villages in Buenos Aires province

Abstract

The province of Buenos Aires is the leading honey producer in Argentina. The quality of the honey is a critical factor in its commercialization, particularly for export; therefore, the potential contamination by pesticides is a significant concern in honey production. In this context, a survey of honey samples from this province was conducted, identifying the presence of 36 pesticide residues and/or their metabolites. The objective of this study was to analyze the presence of organic xenobiotics in honey and to compare the results based on the predominant anthropogenic activities in each surveyed area. The results for all pesticide residues and their metabolites were found to be below the detection limit (LOD) of the corresponding analytical method, ensuring the purity of the honey in relation to these organic contaminants.