ABSTRACT
Results of a three year research study on the determination of bromopropylate residues in honey samples are reported. Analyses were made by capillary gas-liquid chromatography with electron-capture detection. The samples of honey analyzed were collected from hives at different intervals following treatment. Additional samples from other treated hives were kept at room temperature to verify the decay of the active ingredient without the dilution by uncontaminated honey that normally would have been produced in the hive following treatment. The effect on the amount of residues of i) the position of the fumigant strip during treatment, and ii) the level of sealing in the combs filled with honey was investigated. The distribution of the a.i. in combs that occupied fixed positions inside the hive was studied for two methods of fumigation and two levels of cell sealing. The trial enabled to ascertain the remarkable persistance of bromopropylate in the honey matrix, especially when honey had been directly exposed to smoke during treatment. The ‘dilution’ of the a.i. with the newly imported honey, and the honey consumption from bees gave no warranty against the presence of residues in the honey crop.
