Rani-Borges Bárbara, Arena Mariana Victorino Nicolosi, Gomes Ingrid Naiara, Lins Luís Henrique França de Carvalho, Cestaro Livia de Souza Camargo, Pompêo Marcelo, Ando Rômulo Augusto, Alves-Dos-Santos Isabel, Toppa Rogério Hartung, Martines Marcos Roberto, Queiroz Lucas Gonçalves
Department of Fundamental Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo, USP, 05508-000 São Paulo, Brazil.
Department of Ecology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, USP, 05508-090 São Paulo, Brazil.
Environ Sci Process Impacts. 2024 Dec 11;26(12):2132-2144. doi: 10.1039/d4em00262h.
Honey, traditionally known as a pure and natural substance, has become an unexpected reservoir for microplastic contamination. This study consisted of an experimental investigation to assess the occurrence of microplastics in honey produced by , a native bee species in Brazil. Our investigation covers eight areas (one sample per area), including built and vegetated areas located in São Paulo city, Brazil, to understand the distribution of microplastics in these environments. Honey samples (10 mL) were collected using a syringe and sent to the laboratory for further analysis. Microplastics extracted from honey samples were characterized under a stereomicroscope to determine their size, color, and morphology. Also, the polymer type was determined by FTIR analysis. All honey samples (100%) showed microplastics. The predominant particles displayed a fiber shape with a size below 299 μm and a transparent color and were primarily composed of polypropylene. Their concentrations ranged from 0.1 to 2.6 particles per mL of honey, raising concerns about their potential impact on bee populations and human consumers. This study underscores the need for further research on the sources and implications of microplastic contamination in honey, shedding light on the broader issue of environmental plastic pollution and its impact on pollinators.
蜂蜜，传统上被认为是一种纯净的天然物质，却意外地成为了微塑料污染的储存库。本研究包括一项实验调查，以评估巴西本土蜜蜂物种生产的蜂蜜中微塑料的存在情况。我们的调查涵盖了八个区域（每个区域一个样本），包括位于巴西圣保罗市的建成区和植被区，以了解这些环境中微塑料的分布。使用注射器收集10毫升蜂蜜样本，并送往实验室进行进一步分析。从蜂蜜样本中提取的微塑料在体视显微镜下进行表征，以确定其大小、颜色和形态。此外，通过傅里叶变换红外光谱分析确定聚合物类型。所有蜂蜜样本（100%）都显示有微塑料。主要颗粒呈纤维状，尺寸小于299微米，颜色透明，主要由聚丙烯组成。其浓度范围为每毫升蜂蜜0.1至2.6个颗粒，这引发了人们对其对蜜蜂种群和人类消费者潜在影响的担忧。这项研究强调了对蜂蜜中微塑料污染的来源及其影响进行进一步研究的必要性，揭示了环境塑料污染这一更广泛的问题及其对传粉者的影响。
