Investigation of Heavy Metals from Honeybee Drone Pupa (Apis mellifera L) as an Ingredient for Novel Foods

Nutrition, Safety, Health Functional Effects, and Availability of Honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) Drone Pupae

“…The safety of honeybee drone pupa has been assessed based on heavy metal content [ 21 ], food pathogens and mycotoxins [ 18 , 19 , 22 ], residues of veterinary drugs [ 18 ], oxidative stability [ 23 ], and toxicity to dermal cells [ 24 ] ( Table 2 ).…”

“…Choi et al [ 21 ] analyzed the heavy metal content of honeybee drone pupae to establish safety guidelines for this new food material. Honeybee drone pupae were collected at apiaries in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi-do, Cheongyang in 2018, Chungchungnam-do in 2018 and 2019, and Changnyeong, Gyeongnam-do in 2018, and then freeze-dried.…”

“…The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Scientific Committee forms opinions based on risk profile and presents information on potential biological and chemical hazards as well as allergenicity and environmental hazards associated with farmed insects used as food and feed while taking into account the entire chain, from farming to the final product [40]. The findings reported in the six articles included in this review demonstrated the safety of honeybee drone pupae in terms of their microbial pathogen levels [18,19,22], heavy metal content [21], oxidation [23], and antibiotic residue levels [18]. Specifically, prior studies have validated the heavy metal, microbiological, and dermatological safety of honeybee drone pupa and demonstrated its potential as a food and cosmetic ingredient [18,19,[21][22][23].…”

“…The safety of honeybee drone pupa has been assessed based on heavy metal content [21], food pathogens and mycotoxins [18,19,22], residues of veterinary drugs [18], oxidative stability [23], and toxicity to dermal cells [24] (Table 2). Choi et al [21] analyzed the heavy metal content of honeybee drone pupae to establish safety guidelines for this new food material.…”

“…The safety of honeybee drone pupa has been assessed based on heavy metal content [21], food pathogens and mycotoxins [18,19,22], residues of veterinary drugs [18], oxidative stability [23], and toxicity to dermal cells [24] (Table 2). Choi et al [21] analyzed the heavy metal content of honeybee drone pupae to establish safety guidelines for this new food material. Honeybee drone pupae were collected at apiaries in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi-do, Cheongyang in 2018, Chungchungnam-do in 2018 and 2019, and Changnyeong, Gyeongnam-do in 2018, and then freeze-dried.…”