From Environment to Hive: Plasticizer and Bisphenols Contamination in Algerian Honeys

Phthalates (PAEs), non-phthalate plasticizers (NPPs) and bisphenols (BPs) were monitored by fully validated GC-MS and HPLC-MS/MS protocols in honeys from diverse Algerian coastal and non-coastal areas. Experimental results showed that no honey was free of these compounds. A higher PAE contamination was evident in coastal honeys, while NPPs were more abundant in non-coastal samples. The revealed PAEs were: dimethyl phthalate (DMP, 28.12-277.14 µg/kg), diethyl phthalate (DEP, 18.20-404.70 µg/kg), dibutyl phthalate (DBP, 29.58-889.71 µg/kg) and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP, 20.66-523.16 µg/kg), while bis(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHT, 8.95-206.12 µg/kg) and diethyl adipate (DEA, 10.36-97.51 µg/kg) were the NPPs determined. The EU-not Algeria-classifies DBP and DEHP as very high concern substances. Nonetheless, these PAEs were the most abundant and frequently detected contaminants. Even certain honeys showed DEHP outliers compared to the range provided above (1256.53 µg/kg). Coastal and non-coastal honeys were contaminated by bisphenol A (BPA, 2.64-12.73 µg/kg), thus, raising compliance concerns for export in the EU. In fact, the assessment of dietary exposure and toxicological risk derived from the consumption of these honeys highlighted that, while the exposure to plasticizers was within the safety limits, the exposure to BPA raised toxicological concern. Hopefully, these findings will support the constant monitoring of beekeeping activities and products and encourage the adoption of good practices with a view to guide the advancement of the sector and better safeguard consumers.