Abstract:
Nicotine content in honey is currently the major issue of concern to honey quality in Tanzania. This study
was carried out to determine nicotine content in honey from tobacco and non-tobacco growing areas in
Kigoma Region, Tanzania. Specifically, the study determined nicotine contents in honey and bee fodder
samples. Fresh honey samples were collected from beehives within tobacco and non-tobacco growing
areas and from vendors for laboratory tests. Results showed that nicotine content in the fresh honey which
was collected from beehives located within tobacco growing areas is significantly higher than that collected
from non-tobacco growing areas (0.46µg/g vs. 0.26µg/g, p <0.05). The honey samples from vendors in
town and villages had nicotine contents of 0.41µg/g and 2.98µg/g, respectively. It was observed that most
of the bee fodder tree species in Miombo woodland had traces of nicotine. Among the most important bee
fodder tree species with the highest amount of nicotine were Brachystegia spiciformis (20.966µg/g), and
Julbernardia globiflora (13.168µg/g). Meanwhile Vernonia colata, Combretum collinum and Combretum
mole had the lowest nicotine contents of 0.836µg/g, 0.006µg/g, and 0.004µg/g, respectively. Generally,
honey samples which were collected from all sources contained different amounts of nicotine. However,
these contents were perceived to be tolerable for human health. The sampled bee forage tree species
were also observed to have nicotine, which is associated with nicotine in the honey. The study recommends
for the establishment of the national standards indicating the allowable amount of nicotine in honey for
human consumption. Further research needs to be done in other areas and vegetation types in order to
address this concern country- wise
