Determination of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) in honey by SPE-LC-MS/MS in flower and secret honey produced in cukurova region

The main components of honey are fructose and glucose (~70%, w/w). Honey also contains significant amounts of disaccharides and trisaccharides (10–15%, w/w), as well as various naturally occurring chemicals including water, minerals, vitamins, organic acids, enzymes, lipids, phenolic and volatile compounds, free amino acids, proteins, and plant secondary metabolite compounds. In addition to compounds that provide beneficial effects on human health, natural toxins such as mycotoxins and pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) can also be found in bee pollen and other bee products. In this thesis study, flower honey (5 samples) was obtained from the Çukurova region, where honey production is common. Pyrrolizidine alkaloid components and concentrations were determined in the honey samples. Additionally, other properties of the honey samples, as specified in the Turkish Food Codex Honey Regulation (Regulation No: 2020/7), were determined, including moisture content, sugar profile, insoluble substances, free acidity, electrical conductivity, diastase number, HMF, delta C13 value, protein, proline, and naphthalene. As a result of the analysis, the other properties of the samples were found to be in compliance with the Turkish Food Codex Honey Regulation, except for pyrrolizidine alkaloid analysis. The total pyrrolizidine alkaloid content was found to range from 0.25 to 216.91 µg/kg. These values were found to be below the maximum residue limit set by the European Union (500 µg/kg). In light of these results, a comprehensive regional analysis of honey and honey products for pyrrolizidine alkaloids should be conducted, and measures should be taken in honey production based on these findings.