CU, FE, MN AND ZN CONTENTS IN BEE PROPOLIS FROM MALATYA, TURKEY AND HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT

In this study, copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) contents of propolis samples obtained from five different districts of Malatya, Türkiye were investigated. Element contents were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The concentration ranges of propolis samples taken from five different districts of Malatya province varied between 1.24 ± 0.06 mg/kg and 6.28 ± 0.02 mg/kg for Cu, 206.28 ± 21.50 mg/kg and 663.08 ± 55.24 mg/kg for Fe, 15.40 ± 0.17 mg/kg and 27.11 ± 1.83 for Mn, 39.36 ± 1.82 mg/kg and 52.57 ± 2.13 mg/kg for Zn. The results obtained for each district and element were evaluated in detail considering the estimated daily intake (EDI), recommended dietary allowance (RDA), provisional maximum tolerable daily intake (PMTDI) of these elements for adults. Moreover, hazard coefficient (HQ) was calculated for risk assessment and it was determined that HQ values for the studied elements in bee propolis from all districts were below 1.