Major and trace elements levels in multifloral and unifloral honeys in Croatia

• 12 elements in 6 different honey types collected in Croatia were analysed.
• Significant differences in element content were observed between honey types.
• Chestnut honey exhibited the highest concentrations of Ca, K, Mg and Hg.
• Lime honey showed the highest content of Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb.
• Black locust honey obtained the lowest levels of Fe, K, Mg and Hg.

Different honey types were collected in Croatia during 2010 and 2011: 7 multifloral orchard honeys, 7 multifloral meadow honeys, 19 black locust, 9 chestnut, 11 lime and 6 sage honeys. Elements were measured using graphite (As, Cu, Cd, Pb, Se) and flame atomic absorption spectrometer (Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Zn) and by mercury analyser (Hg). Significant differences in Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Zn, As and Hg levels were observed between honey types. In chestnut honey were determined (K, Ca, Mg: mg kg−1; Hg, Ad, Cd: μg kg−1): the highest concentrations of K 2824.4, Ca 486.7, Mg 59.1 and Hg 2.52; the lowest of As 24.1 and Cd 2.52. Lime honey has been shown the highest content of Cu (20.6 mg kg−1), Zn (6.78 mg kg−1), Cd (2.14 μg kg−1) and Pb (810.3 μg kg−1). The lowest levels of following elements were determined in black locust honey (Fe, K, Mg: mg kg−1; Hg: μg kg−1): Fe 2.77, K 304.7, Mg 8.02 and Hg 0.82. Sage honey had the lowest Ca and Na content (173.9 and 31.8 mg kg−1). Among the multifloral honeys, the following was determined (Fe, Na, Cu: mg kg−1; As, Pb: μg kg−1): orchard honey – highest of Fe 5.17 and As 276.1, lowest Pb 301; meadow honey – highest Na 36.1, lowest Cu 4.38. The average Ca, Cu and Pb levels found in multifloral honey types were much higher than those reported in other European countries. Calcium levels in lime, chestnut and black locust were higher than those from other countries.