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Toxic Metal Content in Mexican Propolis: A Human Health Risk Assessment
Ana Paola Balderrama-Carmona1, Leticia García-Rico2, Ana Lilia López-Duarte2
1Departamento de Ciencias Químico-Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Universidad de Sonora, Navojoa 85890, Sonora, Mexico.
Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 14, 2026
Summary
Toxic metal contamination in propolis was assessed, revealing concerning lead levels exceeding safety limits. Other detected metals like arsenic, cadmium, and manganese pose no significant health risk from propolis consumption.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Food Safety
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Propolis is a natural resinous mixture produced by honey bees.
- Its potential health benefits are widely recognized, but toxic metal contamination is a concern.
- Assessing heavy metal levels in propolis is crucial for consumer safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify arsenic, cadmium, lead, and manganese in raw propolis samples.
- To evaluate the safety of propolis consumption based on detected metal levels.
- To investigate correlations between metal contamination and geographical/industrial factors.
Main Methods:
- 12 raw propolis samples were analyzed.
- Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) was used for metal quantification.
- Chemometric analysis was employed to assess elemental correlations.
Main Results:
- All samples showed contamination with arsenic, cadmium, lead, and manganese.
- Lead levels in some samples significantly exceeded acceptable limits for consumption.
- High correlation observed between cadmium and manganese (r = 0.80).
- Highest contamination levels were found in areas with high industrial and agricultural activity.
Conclusions:
- Propolis consumption poses a risk due to elevated lead levels, although carcinogenic risk is low.
- Arsenic, cadmium, and manganese levels detected do not present a discernible health risk.
- Understanding metal contamination is vital for the safety profile of propolis as a dietary supplement.
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