Dried Bee Pollen Research Articles

Effect of Temperature and Duration of Gasbio Heat Energy on Bee Pollen Bioactive Compounds and Bee Propolis Extraction Trigona sp

Processing of dried bee pollen and propolis extraction to optimize the use of processed by-products of Trigona sp bees in the general public by utilizing biogas as heat energy. This research uses bee pollen and raw bee propolis (Trigona sp). The aim of the research was to determine the effect of temperature and length of time for drying bee pollen and propolis extraction on bioactive compounds. The research method used a completely randomized design (CRD) with 5 treatments and 3 replications, consist with (1) Bee pollen drying temperature with sunlight, 45 oC, 55 oC, 65 oC, and 75 oC, (2) Long oven time 3 days, 2,5 hours, 2 hours, 1 hour, and 15 minutes. Meanwhile, the treatment for propolis extraction with distilled water solvent is (1) Temperature 70 oC, 75 oC, 80 oC, 85 oC, and 90 oC, (2) Length of extraction time is 220 minutes. Data were analyzed using Variant ANOVA. If there is a significant difference and effect (P<0.05) or highly significant (P<0.01), then proceed with least significant difference test. Dried bee pollen research results the best bioactive compounds were obtained at a temperature of 65 oC (T3) with protein content (14.09 %), total phenol (1.314 mgGAE/g), and antioxidant content (53.97 ug/mL). The best results for propolis extraction were at a temperature of 70 oC (T0) with antioxidants (21.15ug/mL) and total phenolics (0.357 mgGAE/g). Gasbio can be used as an alternative heat for drying bee pollen and propolis extraction, but when use gasbio must determine the right temperature and time.

All That Glitters Is Not Gold: Assessment of Bee Pollen Supplementation Effects on Gastric Mucosa.

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of bee pollen supplementation on the levels of enzymes important for gastric mucosal homeostasis, namely cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and a biomarker-asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA)-in the gastric mucosa of Wistar rats. The experimental phase divided the rats into four groups: two control groups, sedentary and active, both not supplemented, and two experimental groups, sedentary and active, supplemented with bee pollen. The results indicated that bee pollen supplementation reduced the levels of COX-1 and elevated iNOS levels, while showing no significant impact on COX-2 levels. These findings do not conclusively support the gastroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of bee pollen on gastric mucosa. However, the supplementation could have resulted in reduced ADMA levels in the physically active supplemented group. Our study does not unequivocally demonstrate the positive effects of bee pollen supplementation on the gastric mucosa, which may be attributed to the specific metabolism and bioavailability of substances within unprocessed, dried bee pollen. Further research should explore the topic of potential therapeutic applications of bee pollen in gastrointestinal health and its interactions with ADMA signaling pathways.

Technology of storage of bee pollen and its effects on the development of honey bees

The article presents data on changes in the protein content of bee pollen due to different storage methods. In May, during the collection of bee pollen by bee colonies, in the conditions of the farm located in the Stryi district of the Lviv region, more than 30 types of flower pollen entered the nest. At the same time, for species identification, acetolysis of seven types of flower pollen was carried out, which differed in the maximum amount of arrival: apple (Malus), dandelion (Taráxacum), winter rape (Brassica napus), buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), clover (Trifolium pratense), chestnut (Castánea) and raspberry (Rúbus idáeus). To study the nitrogen content according to the Kjeldahl method, all pollen was divided into three groups according to the storage method. Bee pollen of the first group was considered fresh. In it, the nitrogen content was determined immediately after determining the species. Calculations showed the maximum crude protein content in this group. Of all types of bee pollen that were determined to be fresh, the maximum amount of protein was found in bee pollen collected during the flowering of winter rape (Brassica napus) and apple (Malus). Its average content is 24.9 ± 2.09 and 23.4 ± 1.77 %, respectively. As a result of freezing at a temperature of 18 ºС and its storage for 8–12 months, the protein content practically did not change and decreased by only 0.3–0.9 %. A slight tendency to decrease the amount of nitrogen in bee honey was also found when stored in a dried state. Bee pollen, stored for 8–12 months under different conditions, was fed to newborn honey bees and kept in entomological boxes. It was found that bee pollen storage conditions affect honey bees' food consumption rate. The minor attractiveness of the feed was found in the dried bee pollen. The absence of a connection between the content of crude protein in feed and the rate of its consumption by bees was investigated.

Effects of Solar Drying on the Structural and Thermodynamic Characteristics of Bee Pollen

Background: Bee pollen is a natural product collected and transformed by bees, intended for human consumption, given its nutritional and bioactive richness. The fundamental operation of adequacy is drying, which allows its preservation, avoiding chemical or microbiological degradation, typically using tray dryers with hot air that use electricity or fuel for heat generation. Solar drying is an alternative that uses radiation as an energy source. However, it should be ensured that this type of process guarantees the quality of the product while not degrading its properties and, therefore, maintaining its morphological integrity. Objective: to establish the effect of solar drying on bee pollen structure compared to the conventional cabin dehydration process. Methods: Bee pollen was dehydrated using two types of dryers: a solar dryer and a forced convection oven. The solar dryer operating conditions were an average temperature of 19-35 °C with a maximum of 38 °C and average relative humidity (RH) of 55 %. Cabin dryer operating conditions were a set point temperature of 55 ± 2 °C and 10 % RH average humidity. The morphologic and thermodynamic properties of dried bee pollen, such as phase transition enthalpy through Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), porosity and surface area through surface area analysis, and microscopic surface appearance by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), were measured. Results: The results showed dry bee pollen, both in the cabin dryer and solar dryer, did not suffer morphological changes seen through SEM compared to fresh bee pollen. Moreover, surface area analysis indicated the absence of porosity in the microscopic or macroscopic structure, demonstrating that solar or cabin drying processes did not affect the specific surface area concerning fresh bee pollen. Additionally, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) showed that endothermic phase transitions for dried bee pollen by cabin or solar dryer were at 145 °C and 160 °C, respectively. This can be mostly associated with free water loss due to the morphological structure preservation of the material compared to fresh bee pollen. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that solar drying is a reliable alternative to bee pollen dehydration as there were no effects that compromised its structural integrity.

Botanical origin, physicochemical characterization, and antioxidant activity of bee pollen samples from the northeast of Portugal

Bee pollen is a beehive product that has increased the attention of both researchers and consumers. The main goal of the present study was to evaluate 69 heterofloral dried bee pollen samples harvested in two regions of the northeast of Portugal (Mogadouro and Vimioso). For such, the botanical origin of the samples and several physicochemical parameters (moisture, pH, water activity, reducing sugar, proteins, lipids, ash, fibers, carbohydrates, energy, total phenolic, and flavonoids) were evaluated and the antioxidant potential was studied. The average percentage of pollen grains from Erica spp. and Cytisus spp. was higher (p < 0.05) in samples from Mogadouro, while Cistus spp., Castanea spp., and Echium spp. were more abundant in Vimioso samples. The pollen harvested in Vimioso presented higher values on proximate parameters as compared to other samples:moisture (4.61 ± 0.84%), lipids (4.94 ± 0.94%), ash (3.28 ± 0.93%), fiber (3.55 ± 1.11%), and carbohydrates (66.60 ± 3.52%).On the other hand, higher values were obtained on Mogadouro samples regarding water activity (0.41 ± 0.11), protein (26.09 ± 2.86%), total phenols (26.71 ± 6.19, expressed as mg of Gallic acid equivalents GAE/g), and antioxidant activity (assessed by β-carotene bleaching [3.35 ± 1.17 mg/mL] or the free radical scavenging assay [2.98 ± 0.63 mg/mL]). All bee pollen samples had a great botanical similarity, yet the dominant pollen types were different between the two regions allowing the classification of the samples according to the geographical origin.

Investigation of microwave drying on quality attributes, sensory properties and surface structure of bee pollen grains by scanning electron microscopy

The primary objective of this work was to investigate microwave drying behaviour of bee pollen grains, and study the effect of microwave drying on quality, physicochemical properties, sensory characteristics and morphological structure of the bee pollen. Bee pollen samples were dried at 180, 360, 540, 720 and 900 W microwave power levels. Drying kinetics of the bee pollen samples during microwave drying were investigated, and protein, fat, ash, carbohydrate, vitamin C, solubility and colour of dried bee pollen samples were evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of fresh and microwave dried bee pollens were obtained, and their organoleptic properties were evaluated by panellists. Effective moisture diffusivity (Deff) values ranged from 0.04 × 10−8 to 1.14 × 10−8 m2/s, and the activation energy (Ea) was found to be 71.68 W/g. Drying time was shortened by 94% when the microwave power level was increased from 180 to 900 W. Protein, fat, total carbohydrates, vitamin C and colour values of bee pollen were affected by the microwave power level. Microwave power level was an important parameter for the colour change. The lowest ΔE value and the highest solubility (%) were obtained for bee pollen microwave dried at 180 W power level. Morphological changes were observed in microwave dried bee pollen grains. By comparing all the physicochemical properties and organoleptic characteristics of microwave dried bee pollens, the bee pollen dried at 180 W microwave power level was found to retain its quality attributes better than the other microwave dried bee pollens.

Long-term microbiological and chemical changes in bee pollen for human consumption: influence of time and storage conditions

In order to evaluate if bee pollen properly processed could be conserved for more than 12 months without suffering alterations on its microbiological and chemical qualities, 48 dried bee pollen samples from Argentina were stored at room (23 ± 2 °C) and at refrigerated temperatures (4 °C) during two years. The microbiological (culturable heterotrophic mesophilic bacteria, yeasts and filamentous fungi, Enterobacteriaceae, coliforms, spore-forming bacteria, Salmonella sp., Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium perfringens) and chemical qualities (moisture, pH, ash, proteins and carbohydrates) of three samples from each treatment were evaluated every three months over two years. In bee pollen samples, human pathogenic bacteria were not detected. In general, the count of yeasts, culturable heterotrophic mesophilic bacteria and filamentous fungi were statistically lower at room temperature compared to refrigerated temperature over the storage period. Aerobic spore-forming bacteria populations did not show significant changes at the different storage periods neither at room nor at refrigerated temperatures. The protein and the ash content did not differ while carbohydrate content, moisture and pH changed over the storage period. The results show that microorganisms do not multiply in dried bee pollen although they can be present after a long period of storage at both studied temperatures. Bee pollen has maintained its microbiological and chemical qualities for more than six months at both temperatures, however, at room temperature, its sensory properties were altered after nine months from the beginning of the storage. The shelf life could be longer if it was preserved at fridge temperature.

Effect of hot air drying on quality characteristics and physicochemical properties of bee pollen

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hot air drying on quality characteristics, physicochemical properties, morphological structure and organoleptic characteristics of bee pollen, and compute the effective moisture diffusivity and activation energy during hot air drying of bee pollen. Bee pollen samples were dried at 40, 45, 50, 55 and 60 °C. Effective moisture diffusivity (Deff) values ranged from 1.38 × 10 −10 to 4.00 × 10−10 m2/s, and the activation energy (Ea) was found to be 42.96 kJ/mol. Protein, fat, total carbohydrates and vitamin C of bee pollen were affected by the drying temperature. Dried bee pollen samples had high solubility index, and had lower L* and b* values as compared with those of the fresh bee pollen. Total color difference (Δ E) was the lowest for the bee pollen dried at 40 °C. Morphological changes on dried bee pollen surfaces increased with increasing the drying temperature. Bee pollen dried at 40 °C took the highest sensory scores and retained its quality attributes better than the bee pollen samples dried at 45, 50, 55 and 60 °C. Hot air drying at 40 °C is recommended for the drying of bee pollen.

Infrared drying of bee pollen: effects and impacts on food components

Infrared radiation drying being one of the innovative drying methods was chosen to perform comparative study at different infrared power levels at 50, 62, 74 and 88 W. Quality attributes such as protein, fat, ash, carbohydrate, vitamin C content, solubility index and colour of infrared dried bee pollen samples were evaluated. The infrared power has a significant effect on the drying and quality characteristics especially colour. Drying time was reduced from 170 to 50 min when the infrared power level increased from 50 W to 88 W. Morphological changes on the surface of bee pollen grains increased with increasing the infrared power. The bee pollen infrared dried at 50 W retained its quality characteristics better than the bee pollens infrared dried at other power levels.

Physico-chemical, microbiological, and antioxidant activity of fresh bee pollen, dried bee pollen, and bee pollen powder of Apis mellifera

Physico-chemical, microbiological, and antioxidant activity of fresh bee pollen, dried bee pollen, and bee pollen powder of <i>Apis mellifera</i>

Effects of hot-air and vacuum drying on drying kinetics, bioactive compounds and color of bee pollen

This study aims to investigate drying kinetics of bee pollen as thick as 5 mm and change of color, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant capacity of fresh and dried bee pollen by using both hot-air and vacuum drying at 40, 45 and 50 °C. Six well-known thin-layer drying models were used to predict drying kinetics by nonlinear analysis of regression. The Midilli & Kucuk model best fitted the experimental data for the whole range of temperatures. The moisture diffusivity coefficient at each temperature was determined by Fick’s second law of diffusion, in which their value varied from 8.40 × 10− 11 to 6.29 × 10− 10 m2/s over the mentioned temperature range. The dependence of effective diffusivity coefficient on temperature was expressed by an Arrhenius type equation. The calculated values of the activation energy of moisture diffusion were 49.47 and 33.57 kJ/mol for hot-air and vacuum dryers, respectively. After drying processes, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity of bee pollen decreased. Higher total phenolic and total flavonoid content values were obtained in a vacuum drying at 45 °C. In addition, the total color change of bee pollen dried at vacuum conditions was lower than dried at hot-air conditions.

BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION OF VACUUM STORED FLOWER BEE POLLEN

Water content, water activity (Аw) and mean microbiological characteristics were determined in fresh and dried flower bee pollen collected from apiary from North east region in Bulgaria. Higher microbial counts were established for fresh than for dried bee pollen after long-time (1 and 2-years) vacuum-packed cold storage (0-4 ºС and - 18 ºС). It was found contamination with Pantoea spp., Prot. mirabilis, Citrob. freundii, Serratia fonticola, Raoultella planticola/ornithinolytica, S. hominis (subspecies hominis), S. sciuri (subspecies sciuri), Flavimonas orizihabitans, Achromobacter denitrificans, Arthrobacter globiformis, Psychrobacter phenylpyruvicus, B. pumilis and Enterococcus faecalis in the dried flower bee pollen intended for human consumption. Fresh bee pollen that is an intermediate product not intended for human consumption besides these contained Prot.vulgaris, E.coli, Staph. epidermidis and B. subtilis.

Diversity of allochtonous substances detected in bee pollen pellets

Diversity of allochtonous substances detected in bee pollen pellets

Essential minerals and inorganic contaminants (barium, cadmium, lithium, lead and vanadium) in dried bee pollen produced in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil

Like other beehive products, such as honey, royal jelly and propolis, bee pollen has attracted great interest because of the health benefits it can provide when consumed. Bee pollen has high contents of sugars and proteins and a low content of lipids, it is also a rich source of vitamins and other bioactive compounds, which makes it an attractive micronutrient supplement. However, few studies have investigated its composition. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize the essential minerals and inorganic contaminants present in bee pollen produced at apiaries in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) revealed the presence of 8 essential minerals (calcium, iron, copper, chromium, manganese, molybdenum, phosphorus and zinc) in the 5 analyzed samples; 6 of them were in sufficiently high amounts to meet dietary requirements. Of the 5 inorganic contaminants assessed (barium, cadmium, lithium, lead and vanadium), only cadmium was present at levels over the International Honey Commission’s standards. All bee pollen samples showed a high content of the 8 essential minerals. Contamination usually results from the use of pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals in agriculture; thus, monitoring of its levels must be included in bee pollen analysis.

Microorganisms in Vacuum Stored Flower Bee Pollen

Contamination with sanitary microorganisms from Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Staphylococcaceae, Micrococcaceae and Bacillaceae families in flower bee pollen from Bulgaria after one-year vacuum-packed cold storage has been found. Dried flower bee pollens intended for human consumption were with high incidence rate of contamination with Pantoea sp. (P. agglomerans and P. agglomerans bgp6) (100%), Citrobacter freundii (47%), Proteus mirabilis (31.6%), Serratia odorifera (15.8%) and Proteus vulgaris (5.3%). Bee pollens were also positive for the culture of microorganisms from Staphylococcaceae, Micrococcaceae and Bacillaceae families: Staphylococcus hominis subsp hominis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Arthrobacter globiformis, Bacillus pumilis, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. It was concluded that, if consumed directly, the vacuum-packed cold stored dried bee pollen, harvested according hygienic requirements from bee hives in industrial pollution-free areas without intensive crop production, is not problem for healthy human.

Mycotoxicological and palynological profiles of commercial brands of dried bee pollen.

Pollen is used in the human diet as a food supplement because of its high nutritional value; however, this product is prone to fungal contamination that could potentially generate toxins that are harmful to human health. This study aimed to verify the floral diversity of commercial brands of bee pollen and their mycotoxicological safety for human consumption. A total of 27 bee pollen samples were analyzed; these samples represented commercial brands, either showing an inspection seal or not, marketed in the State of Rio de Janeiro. The analyzed parameters included floral diversity through palynological analysis, water activity, fungal counts, identification and toxigenic profiles. The palynological analysis identified nine plant families, of which the Asteraceae was predominant. Analysis of hygienic quality based on fungal load showed that 92% of samples were reproved according to the commercial, sanitary, and food safety quality indicators. Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Penicillium were the most common genera. Toxigenic evaluation showed that 25% of the A. flavus strains produced aflatoxins. The high rate of contamination of products bearing an inspection seal emphasizes the need to monitor the entire procedure of bee pollen production, as well as to revise the current legislation to ensure safe commercialization of this product.

A melissopalynological analysis of Apis mellifera L. loads of dried bee pollen in the southern Brazilian macro-region

Sixty-one samples of dried bee pollen collected from various apiaries in the southern Brazilian macro-region were examined to detect the botanical origin of the pollen and to enable more accurate product certification. The palynological analysis of the samples followed the standard methodology and was conducted without the use of acetolysis. The samples were washed once or twice with ethanol and then with water. The sediment obtained was homogenised in a water/glycerine solution for microscopic observation. The target number of pollen grains to be counted was 500 pollen grains or more per sample. The results demonstrated that 35 samples consisted of a unique pollen type representing more than 90% of the pollen sum (or more than 60% if no accessory pollen was present). These samples were considered monofloral. Several pollen types grouped in a sample were related to heterofloral pollen batches. The most frequent pollen types were of Mimosa scabrella, Eucalyptus, Andira, Machaerium, Myrcia and Piptocarpha. The results of the current study were related to the surrounding vegetation of the apiaries and reflected the resources available to the bees. Furthermore, these results are relevant to apicultural activities and are commercially significant.

Evaluation of the physicochemical and functional properties of Colombian bee pollen

ABSTRACTObjective. To establish current knowledge about Colombian bee-pollen from a point of view nutritional and functional, contributing towards creating national technical standards and the identification of chemical differentiation factors for further researches. Material and methods. One hundred ninety-six samples of dried bee pollen were collected in the center region of Colombia known as Cundi-boyacense high plateau, where nearly 90% of total bee pollen production is concentrated in this country. Performed physicochemical analyses in this study were: moisture, pH, acidity, ash, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, dietary fiber, fatty acid profile and mineral elements. Results. Bee pollen from this region had 7.7±5.2 g/100 g moisture content, and a following centesimal composition based on dry matter: ashes 2.5±0.4 g; lipids 6.90±3.5 g; proteins 23.8±3.2 g and total dietary fiber 14.5±3.5 g. The most abundant fatty acids were α-linolenic, palmitic and linoleic. Carbohydrates were the main components and fructose and glucose the most concentrated sugars. The predominant minerals assessed here were potassium, calcium and magnesium. The results were also discussed in terms of the characteristics found in Colombian bee-pollen in comparison to international regulations and findings for other varieties of commercial bee-pollen from eight different countries. Conclusions. The results found in this study suggest that bee-pollen may be used as a dietary supplement and agree with bibliographical reports and international regulations. Such characterization will enable to be proposed technical standards in line with Colombian bee-pollen properties and it is expected to improve marketing and production chain conditions.

Consumer Attitude and Sensory Evaluation of Marshmallow

Abstract Marshmallow is sugar-candy with foam-like structure. Many studies have revealed the high nutritional value of bee pollen. Due to the nutritional composition of pollen, and according to nonscientific studies, dried bee pollen has been used as an additive in human diets, which provides a well-being sensation and contributes to functional and harmonious balance of the body. Sensory evaluation and market research are an important part of developing a new product. The research was aimed to clarify the situation in the Latvian market, to summarise Latvian consumer attitude on marshmallow, and to determine the sensory properties and quality of marshmallows with bee pollen. A questionnaire was developed - 900 respondents answered questions about their consumption patterns, opinions on quality indices, and possible types of marshmallow packaging. Marshmallow was enriched with three different pollen concentrations: 1.0; 1.5 and 2.5%. Sensory evaluation was carried out to estimate the optimal concentration of bee pollen that which should be added to marshmallow. Sensory evaluation of experimental marshmallow was characterised by using a 9-point hedonic scale (determination degree of liking). The obtained results showed that consumers liked the marshmallow with 1.5% bee pollen best of all.

The botanical profiles of dried bee pollen loads collected by Apis mellifera (Linnaeus) in Brazil

A total of 61 dried bee pollen samples collected in four Brazilian macro-regions within 19 municipalities were analyzed to identify the sources used by Apis mellifera (L.) for pollen production and to enable a more accurate product certification. Sample preparation followed the standard methodology, including washing the pollen grains with ethanol and then with water and homogenising the sediment in a water/glycerine solution for microscopic observation. Pollen counts included at least 500 pollen grains per sample. Only six samples, presenting a unique species or pollen type comprising more than 90% of the pollen sum, were considered monofloral, including Ambrosia sp., Cecropia sp.,Eucalyptus sp., Fabaceae, Mimosa scabrella (Benth.) spp. and Schinus sp. pollen types. The most frequent pollen types of the heterofloral pollen batches, based on a counting limit of 45%, included Anadenanthera sp., Asteraceae,Brassica sp., Caesalpiniaceae, Cocos nucifera (L.) sp., Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia (Benth.) sp., Mimosa verrucosa(Benth.) sp., and Myrcia sp. pollen types. This result may be related to the great diversity of the Brazilian flora contributing to heterofloral pollen loads and honeys.