Determination of residues of some pesticides may risk to public health in honey samples

The objective of this study was to analyse residues of fungicides and insecticides in honey obtained from Aydın and Muğla Provinces. Fast and modern techniques to determine pesticide residues in honey samples are necessary to protect the health of customers. Azoxystrobin, imidacloprid, trifloxystrobin, thiamethoxam, and penconazole residues were evaluated by the LC/MS-MS technique in the collected honey. For short, the method is known as QuEChERS, which stands for quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe. The limit of detection value for the analytes determined by LC-MS/MS was 10 ng/g. The presence of all pesticides residues (linear correlation with R² values) calculated above 0,99 (Recovery rate > 0,99). The present study was fully validated, the obtained limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) were from 0,15 to 1 and 0,30 to 3,0 ppb, respectively. No pesticide residues were detected in the analysed honey samples. As a result, it was determined that the analysed honey samples would not adversely affect public health in terms of pesticide residues. The potential presence of pesticides in foods such as honey should be considered, and periodic controls are recommended.