Abstract
The bee colony collect for their own developmental needs the nectar, honeydew, resinous substances (to produce propolis), pollen and water from the environment that unfortunately is often exposed to various contaminants that can be found in the human consumed foods. Vitamin C and three heavy metals (Cd, Cu and Pb) were determined in honey samples produced from different plants (sun flower, conifers, multifloral, mountain flowers, pine tree forest, acacia and linden tree) from 14 regions of Romania (Babadag, Bragadiru, Brezoi, Calafat, Câmpulung, Constanta, Dâmbovita, Dragasani, Deva, Pecineaga, Peris, Podisul Transilvaniei, Timis, Râmnicu Vâlcea) and in propolis produced from Timis region and in two commercial samples. The investigated samples were collected from beekeepers and local market during 2002 - 2004. Vitamin C content was analyzed using a titrimteric method with potassium bromate-bromide solution in acidic medium and the heavy metals were determined in bee products by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and the results were compared. The results of the FAAS analysis are in good agreement with those given by ICP-AES.