engleski

Variations in lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury concentrations during honeybee wax processing using casting technology

Beeswax foundations are a necessary material in intensive modern beekeeping. Heavy metals can accumulate in these foundations for decades, as it is a common beekeeping practice to recycle wax, continuously. Beeswax samples were analysed using GFAAS for As, Cd, Pb and Hg concentrations during the production of beeswax foundations, using casting technology with a prolonged cooling and sedimentation phase. Significant differences were determined in concentrations of As, Cd, Pb (p<0.01, all) and Hg (p<0.05) between the three levels of wax in double-walled steel casting container and comb foundationsfour layers of wax, in double-walled steel container, during procession. Concentrations (mg/kg) of examined metals in the comb foundations as final product, ranged as follows: As 0.01–0.88 ; Cd 1.26–3.55 ; Pb 82.5–171 and Hg 0.29–1.46. The obtained results suggest that described method could effectively eliminate a significant amount of heavy metals from initial material used for the production of new beeswax foundations.

beeswax; comb foundations; lead; arsenic; cadmium; mercury

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