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. 2023 Apr 5;20(7):5410.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph20075410.

Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids from Monofloral and Multifloral Italian Honey

Paola Roncada  1 , Gloria Isani  1 , Mariantonietta Peloso  2 , Thomas Dalmonte  1 , Stefania Bonan  2 , Elisabetta Caprai  2
Affiliations

Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids from Monofloral and Multifloral Italian Honey

Paola Roncada et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are secondary metabolites produced by plants as a self-defense against insects. After bioactivation in the liver, some PAs can cause acute or chronic toxicity in humans. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of PAs in 121 samples of monofloral and multifloral honey from three different Italian regions (Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Marche and Calabria) to meet the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) suggestion. An in-house liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was validated according to European Union Reference Laboratory (EURL) performance criteria. This method allowed the detection and quantification of 35 PAs. Of the 121 honey samples, 38 (31%), mostly from Calabria, contained PAs. The total content of the PAs ranged from 0.9 µg/kg to 33.1 µg/kg. In particular, echimidine was the most prevalent PA. A rapid human exposure assessment to PAs in honey and a risk characterization was performed using the EFSA RACE tool. The assessment highlighted a potential health concern only for toddlers who frequently consume elevated quantities of honey. This study showed a low presence of PAs in Italian honey; however, the importance of continuously monitoring these compounds is stressed, along with the suggestion that the relevant authorities establish maximum limits to guarantee support for producers and consumer safety.

Keywords: Boraginaceae; echimidine; health risk assessment; honey; pyrrolizidine alkaloids.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chromatogram of a standard mixture of PAs at 5 ng/mL concentration.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Chromatogram of a standard mixture of PANOs at 5 ng/mL concentration.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The percentage of honey samples with PA content >LOQ and
Figure 4
Figure 4
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in honey samples from different Italian regions (F = Friuli-Venezia Giulia; M = Marche; C = Calabria). Data expressed in µg/kg, Em = echimidine; EmNO = echimidine N-oxide; Sp = seneciphylline; Ly = lycopsamine; Im = intermedine; EnNO = echinatine N-oxide; Hs = heliosupine; RnNO = rinderine N-oxide.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Mean content of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in honey samples from Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Marche and Calabria Italian regions. Data are expressed in µg/kg and reported as mean ± SD, with the exception of EmNO, Sp, Hs and RnNO, which were found in only one sample. Em = echimidine (n = 35); EmNO = echimidine N-oxide (n = 1); Sp = seneciphylline (n = 1); Ly = lycopsamine (n = 5); Im = intermedine (n = 3); EnNO = echinatine n-oxide (n = 2); Hs = heliosupine (n = 1); RnNO = rinderine n-oxide (n = 1).
Figure 6
Figure 6
Chromatograms of echimidine (9.2 µg/kg) present in a Stachys officinalis honey sample.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Mean content of echimidine in samples from Calabria region. Data are expressed in µg/kg and reported as mean ± SD.
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