Investigation of pesticide residue levels in natural comb honey collected from Tokat province

Intensive use of pesticides in agricultural production threatens both bee health and poses a risk to food safety by causing residue problems in honey. Honey bees, which are the leading pollinator insects, are very likely to come into contact with the pesticides used and to contaminate the honey by carrying them to the hive. In this study, 24 natural comb honey samples collected from beekeepers in the Almus, Artova, Erbaa, Merkez, Niksar, Reşadiye, Pazar, Turhal and Zile districts of Tokat province were analyzed for pesticide residue. Analyses were performed at Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University Central Laboratory. The honey samples examined were honey produced in combs that the bees produced in the same year, thus eliminating the possibility of pesticide residue contamination to the honey through foundation comb or perennial beeswax. Pesticide residues above the limit values were detected in only one of the 24 honey samples analyzed. The honey sample containing insecticides and fungicides which have active ingredients Tebuconazole and Primicarb, above the limit values was taken from Reşadiye district. The study revealed that all natural comb honey samples analyzed except one did not contain pesticide residues harmful to human health.