Medycyna Wet. 62 (12), 1439-1442, 2006
| Roman A. |
| Bioaccumulation levels of some trace elements in the organisms of worker bees and drones |
| The aim of the study was to indicate whether worker bees and drones accumulate toxic metals. Research was carried out in two areas of Lower Silesia Wroc³aw (industrial region) and Szyd³owice (agricultural and forest region). Toxic elements (Ni, Cr, Pb, Cd and Se) were found in wide ranging concentrations in all the samples. The biological materials were liquidized and mineralized by the microwave method (type MARS 5 CEM), and the ICP technique was applied (ICP AES Varian company) using the analytical hydride program (elements in hydride form) for a quantitative analysis of toxic metal content. Higher concentrations of Ni, Cr, Cd and Pb were found in worker bees bodies whereas higher concentrations of Se were found in drones organisms. The organism of worker bees is a filter that retains from 20.45 (Pb) to 36.36% (Cd) of toxic metals from the raw material of honey during the process of transforming it into honey in the honey-sack |
| Keywords: bees, trace elements |