Amino acids in bee-collected pollens from Australian indigenous and exotic plants

Abstract

The protein and amino acid contents of bee-collected pollens from 10 indigenous and 16 exotic Australian plants were determined. Crude protein content showed a large variation with a range from 9.5% for Pinus radiata pollen, to 36.9% for Banksia ornata pollen. Pollens which were found to have high protein contents are those which are also highly favoured by apiarists whereas those with low protein content are considered to be nutritionally inferior pollens. The amino acid pattern for pollens from both indigenous and exotic plants indicated that, generally, the levels of amino acids in the pollens were above the bees' requirements. Tryptophan appeared to be the first limiting amino acid in Australian pollens for honeybees.