Abstract
Pollen load samples from 10 hives of Apis mellifera (L.) were analyzed based on their physicochemical composition and botanical source, considering color as a parameter for quality control. In seven samples it was possible to establish the occurrence of more than 80% of a single pollen type, characterizing them as unifloral but with protein content variation. One of the samples was exclusively composed of saprophytic fungi (Cladosporium sp.). Comparing the mean results of the fungi loads with those of the nutritional components of pollen load, the former presented higher protein, mineral matter and dry matter and lower organic matter, ethereal extract and total carbohydrate values. The monochromatic samples met the physicochemical specifications regulating pollen load quality. The results showed that homogeneous coloration of the pollen load was not found to be a good indication of unifloral pollen, confirming the importance of physicochemical analysis and melissopalynological analysis for characterization of the quality of commercial pollen load.
Highlights
Pollen collected from plant anthers is essential for the nutrition of Apis mellifera (L.), since it is a source of protein mainly for larvae and adults (Zerbo et al 2001)
In seven samples the occurrence of over 80% of a single pollen type characterized them as unifloral (Table I)
Pollen load storage time must be taken into account, since it causes oxidization changing color, color homogeneity of the wet loads seems to be a good indicator of unifloral pollen, as reported by Almeida-Muradian et al (2005)
Summary
Pollen collected from plant anthers is essential for the nutrition of Apis mellifera (L.), since it is a source of protein mainly for larvae and adults (Zerbo et al 2001). Lipids, including sterols, starch, sugar, several minerals and vitamins (Goodman 2003). The chemical composition of pollen load and its According to Almeida-Muradian et al (2005), knowledge of the nutritional composition of pollen load can be applied for its quality control, principally as a guide for the commercial production of unifloral pollen. The objectives of this study were to characterize nine pollen load samples of Apis mellifera (L.) as to their chemical composition, weight and botanical source as well as to discuss the importance of load color as a parameter for pollen load quality control
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