Environmental influence and beekeeping techniques on the quality of honey

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to briefly review the ability to use honeybees as an environmental pollution bioindicator. Substances, which potentially could be monitored in the environment by honeybees’ products, include heavy metals, pesticides, and radioactive substances. Honey is generally considered as a natural and healthy product. Honey enzymes are the main agents responsible for antibacterial activity in most honey. The quality of honey is decreased by residues of antibiotic and sulphonamides, used in bee-keeping as preventive of therapeutic treatment to protect the apiary.