Here's some data that needs to be looked at:
Sure, no residue at ppm---
Abstract: Amitraz (Varroaset) is an acaricide applied against Varroa destructor Anderson & Trueman (Acarina: Varroidae) infestations on honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Amitraz residue in honey was determined by HPLC in Ankara, Turkey. Honey samples were collected from beekeepers during the harvesting period in AyaĢ, Kızılcahamam and Polatlı towns in Ankara. Amitraz residue was found in various levels in six (15%) out of 32 honey samples. The residue amounts in the 6 samples were 5.35, 0.34, 0.23, 1.27, 0.92 and 0.40 ppm. The limit of detection was 0.0643 ppm and the recovery ratio was 56.71 %. According to the results, some honey samples showed higher residue levels of amitraz than the World Health Organisation (WHO) limit of 1 mg/kg.
Amitraz use can result in residue in honey, although some degradation occurs during the storage period.
As for amitraz, it is necessary that to give at least 21 day interval between last spraying and harvesting time for other crops.
Degradation processes of amitraz have been studied and the main degradation products are
2,4-dimethylaniline; N-(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-N′-methylformamidine and 2,4-dimethylphenylformamide (Korta et al. , 2001).
The residue limit for Varroaset is 1mg/kg in honey and 0,6 mg/kg in wax. This value is 0.05 mg/kg for Bromoprophylate, 0.05 mg/kg for Fulvanilate and 0.05 mg/kg for Malathion (Cabras et al. 1993). Maximum daily intake limit (ADI) is 0.003 mg/kg for amitraz, 0.0005 mg/kg for Perizin and 0.005 mg/kg for Malathion (according to the FAO/WHO; Baxendale and Keith 1993)
As shown in this study, amitraz can cause residue in some honey samples. Some of the honey samples contained amitraz at higher than 1 mg/kg, which is the maximum tolerance limit of WHO (Baxendale and Keith 1993). The residue problem is a reality concerning amitraz. For this reason, new research should be planned for honey and wax
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Ernie
