Bees are responsible for the pollination of approximately 70% of the planet’s plant species and play a vital role in maintaining the structure and functioning of ecosystems. Due to their foraging behavior and constant exposure to environmental conditions, bees can reflect local environmental quality. Pollutants may bioaccumulate in their tissues and in hive products, potentially affecting both insect health and the safety of bee-derived substances consumed by humans.  

In this study, honeybees (Apis mellifera, Linnaeus 1758) were sampled from three sites selected based on different land use types: a rural site, an industrial zone and an urban environment.

Oxidative stress biomarkers were assessed in various tissues to assess bee health status. Specifically, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidases (GPx’s), glutathione reductase (GR) and cholinesterase (ChE) were evaluated on the abdomen-thorax sections of the specimens, while acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was measured in the heads.

Variations in biomarkers levels were observed across sites, indicating differing oxidative stress responses likely linked to environmental pressures. Whereas microplastics (MPs) were not detected in bee tissues from the three apiaries, sorbitan monostearate, a surfactant used in agro-industrial products, was incidentally detected in samples from one apiary. While the compound was not the primary focus of the study, its presence warrants further in-depth investigation.

These preliminary findings highlight both the physiological responses of bees to environmental exposure and the potential for such contaminants to accumulate in bee tissues. These responses may also provide indirect insights into the quality and safety of bee products such as honey, beeswax, and propolis, which are widely valued for their nutritional and pharmacological properties.