Determination of total protein, trans- 10-Hydroxy-2-Decenoic Acid (10-HDA) and major royal jelly proteins in royal jelly produced at different harvest times in queenless and queenright colonies

Abstract

Two of the most important ingredients to add functional properties to royal jelly are 10-HDA and major royal jelly proteins (MRJPs). The effect of royal jelly (RJ) production and the effect of royal jelly harvest time (24, 48 and 72 hours) on 10-HDA, the total protein content of RJ, and molecular weights of major proteins in RJ were investigated in queenright and queenless colonies. RJ production colonies were divided into 2 groups as queenless and queenright where the queen was confined with frames. Subgroups were formed within each group (queenless and queenright) according to harvest time (24, 48 and 72 hours). 80 larvae were transferred to each colony. In this study, as the harvest time increased, total protein (TP) ratio decreased (p<0.05); TP ratio in RJs harvested at 24, 48 and 72 hours was determined as 18.4±1.24%, 15.2±0.80%, 10.6±0.27%, respectively. As the harvest time increased, 10-HDA decreased. It was determined 10-HDA rates in RJ harvested at 24, 48 and 72 hours respectively; 2.52±0.109%, 2.20±0.110%, 2.00±0.112%. MRJP1, MRJP2, MRJP3 and MRJP5 were found from the MRJP family, and their molecular weights were determined as 53 kDa, 46.5 kDa, 66.8 kDa, 80.9 kDa, respectively. As a result, the early harvested (24 and 48 hours) RJ had higher values in terms of TP and trans 10-HDA than the royal jelly harvested at 72 hours.