Changes in nutritional composition from bee pollen to pollen patty used in bumblebee rearing

Abstract

Abstract Pollen patties are generally supplied to augment the nourishment of honey bee or bumblebee colonies during late winter or early spring. In the present study, we examined nutrient content of bee collected pollen (BP) and pollen patties (PT) prepared from those bee collected pollens in order to understand the chemical compositional change of pollen to pollen patty and figure out the possible benefits for bee’s health. Protein and fat contents of pollen patties were found lower than that reported for the respective bee pollens. Amino and fatty acids followed the same trend for the simple logical reason. In contrast, carbohydrate contents of pollen patties were found much higher than the bee pollen. The addition of sugar solution in the process of pollen patty preparation could presumably explain the change. Another possible determinant factor of bee’s preference of feed protein to fat ratio was found the highest for PT 2 (5.5) followed by PT 1 and BP 2 (4.1), BP Ref. (2.9) and the least value obtained for BP 1 (2.2). Additionally, we discuss the possible health benefits if the bee collected pollen is used as a human food supplement.