Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry determination of metals in honeybee venom

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) technique was used to analyze the contamination of selected 20 metals in 32 samples of honeybee venom and to demonstrate differences in the content of these elements. Among the analyzed metal microelements (Al, Co, Cu, Zn, Mn, Mo, B, V, Sr and Ni), macro-elements (Ca, Mg, K and Na) and toxic metals (As, Ba, Pb, Cd, Sb and Cr) were identified. The presented results showed that the metal levels in honeybee venom are much lower than the tolerable upper intake levels for the elements. Also the toxic metal contamination is much lower than the permissible levels for drugs established by the United States Pharmacopeia and the European Pharmacopeia. As opposed to the pharmacopeial tests for metals, a multi-element ICP-MS method has been developed. In order to confirm data obtained, the following steps and parameters were taken into account for the validation of the method: calibration verification, recovery, accuracy, precision, detection limit (LOD), quantitation limit (LOQ), spectral and matrix interference and comparison between ICP-MS and GFAAS (graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry) for Mn. All steps of validation proved the accuracy of the results. This is most likely the first study in which the metal content in honeybee venom was evaluated by ICP-MS.