DETERMINATION OF RESIDUES OF AMITRAZ AND FLUVALINATE IN HONEY SAMPLES COLLECTED FROM ÇUKUROVA DISTRICT

In this study, it was aimed to investigate whether amitraz and fluvalinate residues were present in the honey samples in Çukurova district and whether they would pose a risk for human health. Total 135 honey samples were used with 15 extracted flower honey samples from each of Adana center, Kadirli, Kozan, Osmaniye, Ceyhan, Karataş, Yumurtalık, Tarsus and Mersin centre. The honey samples represented 1550 beehives from Adana centre, 980 from Kadirli, 1050 from Kozan, 650 from Osmaniye, 750 from Ceyhan, 860 from Karataş, 740 from Yumurtalık, 800 from Mersin center, and 950 from Tarsus. Total beehives that the honey samples were taken were 8330. Honey samples were analyzed according to Hammerling method using gas chromatograhy with capillary column. In the result of analyses, although fluvalinate residues were not found in the honey samples, amitraz residues were found ranging from 1.34 to 33.48 ppm in 25 honey samples. The honeys from Çukurova district were contaminated with amitraz residues at which levels they would pose a risk to public health. It has been concluded that in the stage of production and consuming of honeys, precautions are required to be taken against pesticide residues up to the levels not to pose a risk for consumers.