Nutritive Value of 11 Bee Pollen Samples from Major Floral Sources in Taiwan

The Key Role of Amino Acids in Pollen Quality and Honey Bee Physiology-A Review

When studying honey bee nutrition, it is important to pay attention not only to the quantity but also to the quality of pollen for floral visitors. The recommended way to determine the value of pollen is to determine both the protein concentration and the amino acid composition in the insect's hemolymph. In addition, the composition of pollen also includes lipids, sterols and biogenic elements such as carbon, nitrogen, etc. Very high protein concentration is observed in aloe pollen, averaging 51%. Plants with a high protein content, at the level of 27% in Europe, are rapeseed and phacelia. In turn, a plant that is poor in protein (at the level of 11%) is buckwheat. The aforementioned plants are sown over very large areas. Vast acreages in Central and Eastern Europe are occupied by pollen- and nectar-providing invasive plants, such as goldenrod. Therefore, bees are forced to use one food source-a mono diet-which results in their malnutrition. In the absence of natural pollen, beekeepers use other foods for bees; including soy protein, powdered milk, egg yolks, fish meal, etc. However, the colony is the strongest when bees are fed with pollen, as opposed to artificial protein diets. More research is needed on the relationship between bee pollen composition and nutrition, as measured by protein concentration and amino acid composition in apian hemolymph, colony strength, honey yield and good overwintering.

Analyzing the Antioxidant Activity and Fatty Acid Composition of Monofloral Mullein (Verbascum sp.) Pollen Oil obtained via Various Extraction Techniques

This study focused on characterizing fatty acids and evaluating the antioxidant properties in oils extracted from mullein (Verbascum sp.) bee-collected pollen, utilizing soxhlet and ultrasound-assisted methods with acetone and hexane solvents. Soxhlet extraction demonstrated high efficiency in mullein bee pollen oil extraction. The highest levels of total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), DPPH⋅, and ABTS⋅+ activities (41.07±1.43 mg GAE/g extract; 1.86±0.01 mg QE/g extract; 16.23±0.68 mg TE/g extract; 56.88±0.43 mg TE/g extract, respectively) were observed in oil extracted using the soxhlet method with acetone solvent. Conversely, ultrasound-assisted extraction with hexane yielded oils rich in saturated fatty acids, while acetone extraction contained higher monounsaturated fatty acids. Palmitic, linoleic, and oleic acids were predominant in the extracted oils. This study introduces, for the first time, the identification of fatty acids found in mullein bee pollen oil, along with an examination of their antioxidant properties. The choice of solvent was found to significantly influence compound extraction compared to the extraction method.

Assessing monofloral bee pollens from Türkiye: Palynological verification, phenolic profile, and antioxidant activity

Honey bee pollen (HBP) is a hive product produced by worker bees from floral pollen grains agglutination. It is characterized by its excellent nutritional and bioactive composition, making it a superior source of human nutrition. This study aimed to evaluate the monofloral bee pollen samples, including Cistus, Crataegus monogyna, Cyanus, Elaeagnus angustifolia, Papaver somniferum, Quercus, Salix, Sinapis, and Silybum from Türkiye according to palynological analysis, antioxidant activity, phenolic profiles, and color. The phenolic profiles were detected using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Bee pollens were categorized into monofloral, bifloral, and multifloral, underscoring the significance of confirming the botanical source of them depending on palynological analyses. Total phenolic content (TPC) of bee pollens ranged from 4.5 to 14.4 mg gallic acid/g HBP. The samples exhibited antioxidant activity for 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS •+ ) ranging from 94.9 to 233.5 µmol trolox/g HBP, whereas lower values were seen for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) ranging from 25.86 to 70.81 µmol trolox/g HBP. A yellowish-red tint color was also displayed for whole samples, whereas only E. angustifolia bee pollen indicated a darker color (L* = 31.6). Among the phenolic compounds, luteolin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, rutin, and genistein were the most abundant, and their profiles varied across the samples. It was also observed that TPC, antioxidant activities, and polyphenol composition were higher in samples containing pollen grains of P. somniferum, Quercus, Plantago, and E. angustifolia species. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The increasing number of new findings on honey bee pollen is crucial to food science and technology. In this sense, this study offers a robust method for verifying the authenticity and quality of 11 monofloral bee pollens, which is crucial for the food industry. It also identifies potential sources of high-quality pollen, benefiting producers, and consumers seeking superior bee pollen products.

Chemical Properties and Biological Activity of Bee Pollen

Pollen, a remarkably versatile natural compound collected by bees for its abundant source of proteins and nutrients, represents a rich reservoir of diverse bioactive compounds with noteworthy chemical and therapeutic potential. Its extensive biological effects have been known and exploited since ancient times. Today, there is an increased interest in finding natural compounds against oxidative stress, a factor that contributes to various diseases. Recent research has unraveled a multitude of biological activities associated with bee pollen, ranging from antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties to potential antiviral and anticancer applications. Comprehending the extensive repertoire of biological properties across various pollen sources remains challenging. By investigating a spectrum of pollen types and their chemical composition, this review produces an updated analysis of the bioactive constituents and the therapeutic prospects they offer. This review emphasizes the necessity for further exploration and standardization of diverse pollen sources and bioactive compounds that could contribute to the development of innovative therapies.

The Composition of Fatty Acids in Bee Pollen, Royal Jelly, Buckthorn Oil and Their Mixtures with Pollen Preserved for Storage

Honey produced by A. mellifera contains minor components present in the nectar collected from plants. Various studies of honey components and all other bee products can be informative in assessing their quality. The aim of the present study was to determine the content and composition of fatty acids (FAs) in sea buckthorn oil (SBO), royal jelly (RJ) and bee pollen (BP) and the changes in FAs content in these products during storage. The diversity of FAs and the effect of storage time on FAs content was also evaluated for the prepared-for-preservation mixtures, which included the following samples: pollen mixed with honey at a ratio of 1:2 (w/w); sample BPH, a well; BPH + 1% (w/w) SBO; and BPH + 1% (w/w) SBO + 2% (w/w) RJ. Fresh bee-collected pollen and RJ were stored at -20 °C, whereas the conserved samples were stored at +4 °C in hermetically sealed jars. The data revealed that RJ demonstrated the highest diversity of fatty acids compared to BP and BP prepared for storage with honey along with SBO and RJ. Palmitic and stearic acids were found in the highest amounts out of the eight saturated fatty acids identified in the studied SBO and RJ. The amount of these fatty acids in RJ compared to SBO was 1.27 and 6.14 times higher, respectively. In total, twenty-two unsaturated fatty acids (USFA) were identified in RJ and fourteen were found in SBO. The SBO used in this study was found to be high in linoleic acid, resulting in an increased n-6 fatty acids ratio in the prepared samples. Essential fatty acids eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) were found in RJ, as well as in BP and BP mixed with honey. These FAs were not identified in the samples prepared with SBO even in the sample supplemented with RJ. The highest decrease in docosadienoic fatty acid was found in the BPH sample compared to BP, while arachidonic acid mostly decreased in BPH + 1% SBO compared to the BPH + 1% (w/w) SBO + 2% (w/w) RJ samples stored at +4 °C. Bee-collected pollen had the greatest influence on the number of FAs in its mixture with honey.

Translational Research on Bee Pollen as a Source of Nutrients: A Scoping Review from Bench to Real World

The emphasis on healthy nutrition is gaining a forefront place in current biomedical sciences. Nutritional deficiencies and imbalances have been widely demonstrated to be involved in the genesis and development of many world-scale public health burdens, such as metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. In recent years, bee pollen is emerging as a scientifically validated candidate, which can help diminish conditions through nutritional interventions. This matrix is being extensively studied, and has proven to be a very rich and well-balanced nutrient pool. In this work, we reviewed the available evidence on the interest in bee pollen as a nutrient source. We mainly focused on bee pollen richness in nutrients and its possible roles in the main pathophysiological processes that are directly linked to nutritional imbalances. This scoping review analyzed scientific works published in the last four years, focusing on the clearest inferences and perspectives to translate cumulated experimental and preclinical evidence into clinically relevant insights. The promising uses of bee pollen for malnutrition, digestive health, metabolic disorders, and other bioactivities which could be helpful to readjust homeostasis (as it is also true in the case of anti-inflammatory or anti-oxidant needs), as well as the benefits on cardiovascular diseases, were identified. The current knowledge gaps were identified, along with the practical challenges that hinder the establishment and fructification of these uses. A complete data collection made with a major range of botanical species allows more robust clinical information.

Supplementation in vitamin B3 counteracts the negative effects of tryptophan deficiencies in bumble bees

Increasing evidence highlights the importance of diet content in nine essential amino acids for bee physiological and behavioural performance. However, the 10th essential amino acid, tryptophan, has been overlooked as its experimental measurement requires a specific hydrolysis. Tryptophan is the precursor of serotonin and vitamin B3, which together modulate cognitive and metabolic functions in most animals. Here, we investigated how tryptophan deficiencies influence the behaviour and survival of bumble bees (Bombus terrestris). Tryptophan-deficient diets led to a moderate increase in food intake, aggressiveness and mortality compared with the control diet. Vitamin B3 supplementation in tryptophan-deficient diets tended to buffer these effects by significantly improving survival and reducing aggressiveness. Considering that the pollens of major crops and common plants, such as corn and dandelion, are deficient in tryptophan, these effects could have a strong impact on bumble bee populations and their pollination service. Our results suggest planting tryptophan and B3 rich species next to tryptophan-deficient crops could support wild bee populations.

Fast Chromatographic Determination of Free Amino Acids in Bee Pollen

The consumption of bee pollen has increased in the last few years due to its nutritional and health-promoting properties, which are directly related to its bioactive constituents, such as amino acids. Currently, there is great interest in understanding the role of these in bee products as it provides relevant information, e.g., regarding nutritional value or geographical and botanical origins. In the present study, two fast chromatographic methods were adapted based on commercial EZ:faast™ kits for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography−mass spectrometry for determining free amino acids in bee pollen. Both methods involved the extraction of amino acids with water, followed by a solid phase extraction to eliminate interfering compounds, and a derivatization of the amino acids prior to their chromatographic separation. The best results in terms of run time (<7 min), matrix effect, and limits of quantification (3−75 mg/kg) were obtained when gas chromatography−mass spectrometry was employed. This latter methodology was applied to analyze several bee pollen samples obtained from local markets and experimental apiaries. The findings obtained from a statistical examination based on principal component analysis showed that bee pollen samples from commercial or experimental apiaries were different in their amino acid composition.

Characterization of Romanian Bee Pollen—An Important Nutritional Source

Bee pollen represents an important bee product, which is produced by mixing flower pollens with nectar honey and bee’s salivary substances. It represents an important source of phenolic compounds which can have great importance for importance for prophylaxis of diseases, particularly to prevent cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders, those having direct correlation with oxidative damage. The aim of this study was to characterize 24 bee pollen samples in terms of physicochemical parameters, organic acids, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, individual phenolics compounds, fatty acids, and amino acids from the Nort East region of Romania, which have not been studied until now. The bee pollen can be considered as a high protein source (the mean concentration was 22.31% d.m.) with a high energy value (390.66 kcal/100 g). The total phenolic content ranged between 4.64 and 17.93 mg GAE/g, while the total flavonoid content ranged between 4.90 and 20.45 mg QE/g. The high protein content was observed in Robinia pseudoacacia, the high content of lipids was observed in Robinia pseudoacacia pollen, the high fructose content in Prunus spp. pollen while the high F/G ratio was observed in Pinaceae spp. pollen. The high TPC was observed in Prunus spp. pollen, the high TFC was observed in Robinia pseudoacacia pollen, the high free amino acid content was observed in Pinaceae spp. pollen, and the high content of PUFA was reported in Taraxacum spp. pollen. A total of 16 amino acids (eight essential and eight non-essential amino acids) were quantified in the bee pollen samples analyzed. The total content of the amino acids determined for the bee pollen samples varied between 11.31 µg/mg and 45.99 µg/mg. Our results can indicate that the bee pollen is a rich source of protein, fatty acids, amino acids and bioactive compounds.