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Biodiversitas
Article . 2025 . Peer-reviewed
License: CC BY NC SA
Data sources: Crossref
https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4...
Article . 2023 . Peer-reviewed
Data sources: Crossref
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Detection of Microplastics in Honey of Stingless Bee (Heterotrigona Itama) and Honey Bee (Apis Mellifera) from Malaysia

Authors: YUSOF SHUAIB IBRAHIM; MUHAMMAD NAIM ROSAZAN; MUHAMMAD IZZELEN IZZAUDDIN MAMAT; SABIQAH TUAN ANUAR ANUAR; WAHIZATUL AFZAN AZMI;

Detection of Microplastics in Honey of Stingless Bee (Heterotrigona Itama) and Honey Bee (Apis Mellifera) from Malaysia

Abstract

Abstract. Ibrahim YS, Rosazan MN, Mamat MII, Anuar ST, Azmi WA. 2025. Detection of microplastics in honey of stingless bee (Heterotrigona itama) and honey bee (Apis mellifera) from Malaysia. Biodiversitas 26: 1271-1278. The demand for stingless bee honey and European bee honey has increased rapidly due to its medicinal benefits. Honey of the Indo-Malaya stingless bee, Heterotrigona itama, and European honey bee, Apis mellifera, are among the most popular bee products that Malaysians commonly consume. It has been reported that the contamination of honey with microplastics (MPs) can occur at various stages of production, from bees collecting the contaminated floral sources to the harvesting and packaging processes. With the emerging plastics pollution in the environment and concerns about potential health risks, this study aims to investigate the presence of MPs in honey samples from stingless bees, H. itama, and honey bees, A. mellifera, from Malaysia. Microplastic particles were extracted from 10 g of honey and characterized under a stereomicroscope to determine their color, size, and type. Polymer types were further identified using FTIR analysis. All honey samples from both species were found to be 100% contaminated with microplastics. H. itama honey contained a higher concentration of microplastics (8.18 ± 2.57 MPs/g) compared to A. mellifera's honey (5.52 ± 1.13 MPs/g). The MPs found in honey from both species were predominantly fibers and fragments, mostly transparent in color, with sizes ranging from 0.7 to 1.8 mm. The findings of this preliminary study are intended to provide an awareness of MPs in honey, especially in the food safety aspect, which needs a better understanding of good practices of beekeeping and processing procedures to minimize the contamination of honey.

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
4
Top 10%
Average
Top 10%
gold