Publications by authors named "Kevin J Melksham"
Article Synopsis
- A study analyzed stingless bee honeys (SBHs) from Australian and Malaysian species for harmful pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) using advanced mass spectrometry techniques.
- Low levels of PAs were detected against certified standards, but untargeted analysis identified additional alkaloid isomers linked to a nearby PA weed species.
- The research emphasizes the importance of recognizing local PA sources for honey producers, as not all PAs may be captured in standard tests, with some identified compounds potentially being less toxic.
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are a diverse group of plant secondary metabolites with known varied toxicity. Consumption of 1,2-unsaturated PAs has been linked to acute and chronic liver damage, carcinogenicity and death, in livestock and humans, making their presence in food of concern to food regulators in Australia and internationally. In this survey, honey samples sourced from markets and shops in Queensland (Australia), were analysed by high-resolution Orbitrap UHPLC-MS/MS for 30 common PAs.
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