Assessment of heavy metal levels in bee pollen (Apis mellifera L) from urban and rural areas of Egypt: implications for bioindication and food safety

This study examined pollen samples from several parts of Egypt to assess the heavy metal levels present. Assessment of the performance of bee pollen (Apis mellifera L) as a bioindicator for the presence of Zn, Cd, Fe, Cu, Ni, Pb, Mo, and Cr in municipal and countryside areas was the main objective of this research and concurrently the study’s central premise. Four places were in rural areas, and one was near the city center, giving five locations for three honeybee colonies. In order to compare pollen samples from urban and rural locations, heavy metal (Zn, Cd, Fe, Cu, Ni, Pb, Mo, and Cr) levels were measured in those gathered from these colonies. The study found that there were no significant differences in the levels of Cd in the pollen samples collected from different sites. Compared to urban areas, pollen sample heavy metal values in countryside regions generally decreased (P <0.05). It was determined that the concentrations of Cr, Fe, Cu, Ni, Mn, and Zn in pollen specimens varied significantly (P< 0.05) across the localities. Consistent with International Food Standards, the levels of heavy metals in pollen specimens collected from diverse areas were determined to be acceptable.