EVALUATION OF HEAVY METAL CONCENTRATIONS IN THE XYLEM SAP OF TURKISH PINE (PINUS BRUTIA TEN.) AND HONEYDEW OF MARCHALINA HELLENICA, GENNADIUS (HEMIPTERA: MARCHALINIDAE), COLLECTED IN WESTERN ANATOLIA, TURKEY

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb concentrations in samples of the sap from the Turkish pine, Pinus brutia Ten., and the honeydew from the insect, Marchalina hellenica (Gennadius), both of which are components of the food chain in the production of pine honey, that were collected at different locations in western Anatolia, Mugla province, Turkey. Heavy metal concentrations in the samples were determined using microwave-induced wet combustion and mineralization, followed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. The results showed that the Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb concentrations were low in both the sap and honeydew samples. This study represents the first reference on heavy metal concentrations in the sap from P. brutia and the honeydew from M. hellenica within the region.