Characterization of Bee Pollen: Physico-Chemical Properties, Headspace Composition and FTIR Spectral Profiles.

Saša Prđun,Zvonimir Marijanović,Lidija Svečnjak,Mato Valentić,Igor Jerković

doi:10.3390/foods10092103

Saša Prđun, Zvonimir Marijanović + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10092103

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Abstract

Chemical characterization of bee pollen is of great importance for its quality estimation. Multifloral and unifloral bee pollen samples collected from continental, mountain and Adriatic regions of Croatia were analyzed by means of physico-chemical, chromatographic (GC-MS), and spectroscopic (FTIR-ATR) analytical tools, aiming to conduct a comprehensive characterization of bee pollen. The most distinctive unifloral bee pollen with regard to nutritional value was Aesculus hippocastanum (27.26% of proteins), Quercus spp. (52.58% of total sugars), Taraxacum officinale (19.04% of total lipids), and Prunus avium (3.81% of ash). No statistically significant differences between multifloral and unifloral bee pollen from different regions were found for most of the physico-chemical measurement data, with an exception of melezitose (p = 0.04). Remarkable differences were found among the bee pollen HS VOCs. The major ones were lower aliphatic compounds, monoterpenes (mainly linalool derivatives, especially in Prunus mahaleb and P. avium bee pollen), and benzene derivatives (mainly benzaldehyde in T. officinale and Salix spp.). Aldehydes C9 to C17 were present in almost all samples. FTIR-ATR analysis revealed unique spectral profiles of analyzed bee pollen exhibiting its overall chemical composition arising from molecular vibrations related to major macromolecules—proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates (sugars).

Highlights

Honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) collect pollen from plant anthers, mix it with a small amount of the secretion from salivary glands or nectar (10%), and place it in specific baskets on their hind legs—the pollen stored in this way is known as bee pollen or pollen load
Remarkable differences were found among the bee pollen HS volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
The aims of the present study were: (i) to obtain bee pollen collected by the honey bees from three different climatic-geographical regions in Croatia during the spring; (ii) to separate and identify unifloral bee pollen; (iii) to investigate the bee pollen physico-chemical properties, headspace composition and Fourier transform mid-infrared (FTIR) profiles in order to provide a detailed insight in its composition and nutritional value

Summary

Introduction

Honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) collect pollen from plant anthers, mix it with a small amount of the secretion from salivary glands or nectar (10%), and place it in specific baskets on their hind legs (corbiculae)—the pollen stored in this way is known as bee pollen or pollen load. The chemical compositions of bee pollen have drawn worldwide research interest, covering broad aspects ranging from plant physiology to biochemistry [2]. More than 200 compounds have been found in the bee pollen of various botanical origin, including proteins Bee pollen is one of the most complete and nutritious foods in nature as it contains almost all the essential nutrients for humans, which are not commonly found in foods of animal origin. High nutritional value of bee pollen originates from the content of essential substances such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins, and minerals. Bee pollen contains important bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols and flavonoids [4,5,6,7,8,9] which are known antioxidants [10]

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