Microplastics comprehensive review: Impact on honey bee, occurrence in honey and health risk evaluation

Microplastics (MPs), as an environmental contaminant, pose a significant risk to both animal and human health through the food and water supply chains. Honey, widely recognised as a safe and health-oriented food product, may become compromised if its production process involves non-biodegradable MPs. This study was conducted as a systematic review, using comprehensive searches of PubMed, Scopus and ScienceDirect to investigate the effects of MP on honey bee and human health, and the potential route and main species and composition of MP contamination in honey. This review highlights the impacts of MPs on honey bee health, including mortality, sucrose response, sucrose habituation, olfactory learning, memory recall, colony performance, body size and growth, gut microbiota and viral infection. From a mechanistic perspective, MPs can disrupt the equilibrium of the gut microbiota, adversely impact the function of the immune system, and undermine neural signalling pathways that are critical for learning and memory processes in honey bees. It is crucial to consider the applied aspects of these findings in beekeeping practices, including adopting sustainable practices to mitigate exposure to MPs and minimize contamination in honey production. The study also provided detailed information on honey bee contact routes with MPs, the environment (air, water, soil, pollen), and routes of exposure to MPs in beekeeping practices (plastic composition of the hive and beekeeping activities). MPs can adversely affect human health by altering energy homeostasis, causing oxidative stress, immune system deficiencies, malnutrition, reduced growth and decreased reproductive rates. Synthesis and applications. The findings of this study are highly relevant to both the beekeeping industry and public health policymakers. By identifying key contamination routes and the detrimental effects of microplastics (MPs) on honey bee health and honey quality, this research provides actionable insights for beekeepers to adopt sustainable hive management practices that minimise MP exposure. Additionally, the study underscores the need for regulatory policies to control MP pollution, ensuring the safety of honey as a food product and protecting both pollinators and human health.