Effect of harvesting time and the number of queen cell cups on royal jelly composition

Abstract

Royal Jelly (RJ) is one of the many important honey bee products that is also a functional food item in the regulation of diets and in the cosmetic industry. Many factors affect the composition of RJ. There is not enough information about the composition of early harvest (earlier than 72 h) RJ. In addition, no information has been found regarding the number of grafted larvae in reviewed studies. Thus, in this article, the effect of harvest time and the number of queen cell cups on the RJ composition such as 10-HDA, total and soluble proteins, furosine, superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), phenolic compounds have been determined. Results showed that 10-HDA values ​​decreased (3.2 ± 0.195%, 2.84 ± 0.146% and 2.16 ± 0.117%) as the numbers of larvae were increased (30, 60 and 120). Similarly, as the harvest time extended (24, 48 and 72 hours) the values ​​of 10-HDA decreased (3.25 ± 0.206%, 2.71 ± 0.137% and 2.24 ± 0.13%). Total protein ratios in RJ according to harvest times (24, 48 and 72 hours) were 19.6 ± 0.71%, 16.8 ± 0.57% and 16.8 ± 0.27%, respectively. Furosine values (ranging from 17.6-20.6 mg/100 g protein) increased as RJ harvest time increased. Superoxide dismutase activity values (ranging from 1.07 ± 0.06 to 1.47 ± 0.07 U/g) decreased as the number of grafted larvae increased and the harvest time increased. Phenolic compounds (151.7 ± 2.36 µg/g) were different from 48 (83.5 ± 3.89) and 72 hours (96.81 ± 5.97) royal jelly in the harvested RJ 24 hours after larvae grafting (P < 0.05). As a result, the RJ harvest time and the number of grafted larvae influenced the RJ composition.