Pollen Powder Research Articles

Phoenix dactylifera L. pollen versus pentoxifylline on improvement of sperm parameters in idiopathic male infertility: A randomized clinical trial

Ethnopharmacological relevancePhoenix dactylifera L. pollen is the male reproductive dust of palm flowers known as a natural product that is considered a strong stimulant of sexual potency and fertility in Iranian traditional medicine (ITM). In this regard, no evidence-based medications are empirically prescribed to treat IMI. However, applying traditional medicine for the treatment of male infertility has attracted more attention in recent years. Aim of the studyPhoenix dactylifera L. pollen was compared with pentoxifylline (PTX) to evaluate its efficacy on sperm parameters. Materials and methodsDuring this parallel randomized controlled trial, 80 adult men with asthenozoospermia, oligozoospermia, or teratozoospermia (age 20–35 years) were enrolled. In two separate groups of participants with a 1:1 ratio, participants received either 6 g of Phoenix dactylifera L. pollen powder daily or 400 mg of PTX tablets daily for 90 days. We measured the sperm parameters as well as the serum sex hormones in the sample. ANCOVA and t-tests were used to compare groups. ResultsThere was no significant difference between the study groups in terms of baseline characteristics or demographic characteristics. According to the results, participants who took Phoenix dactylifera L. pollen powder had significantly improved sperm concentration (p = 0.016), morphology (p = 0.029), sperm counts (p = 0.012), progressive motility (p = 0.016), total motility (p = 0.018), and reduced immotile sperms (p = 0.014) compared to those who took PTX. ConclusionsIn light of these results, Phoenix dactylifera L. pollen is recommended as a treatment factor for ameliorating IMI by enhancing sperm functional capacity and semen parameters.

Fermented rape pollen powder can alleviate benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats by reducing hormone content and changing gut microbiota.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) can cause urethral compression, bladder stone formation, and renal function damage, which may endanger the life of patients. Therefore, we aimed to develop plant-based preparations for BPH treatment with no side effects. In this study, the Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 322Hp, Lactobacillus acidophilus 322Ha, and Limosilactobacillus reuteri 322Hr were used to ferment rape pollen. The fermented rape pollen was subsequently converted into fermented rape pollen powder (FRPP) through vacuum freeze-drying technology. After fermenting and drying, the bioactive substances and antioxidant capacity of FRPP were significantly higher than those of unfermented rapeseed pollen, and FRPP had a longer storage duration, which can be stored for over one year. To investigate the therapeutic effect of FRPP on BPH, a BPH rat model was established by hypodermic injection of testosterone propionate. The BPH rats were treated differently, with the model group receiving normal saline, the positive control group receiving finasteride, and the low, medium, and high dose FRPP group receiving FRPP at doses of 0.14 g/kg/d, 0.28 g/kg/d, and 0.56 g/kg/d, respectively. The results indicate that medium dose FRPP reduced the levels of hormone such as testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and oestradiol in rats with BPH by about 32%, thus bringing the prostate tissue of BPH rats closer to normal. More importantly, medium dose FRPP treatment had a significant effect on the composition of gut microbiota in rats with BPH, increasing the levels of beneficial genera (such as Coprococcus and Jeotgalicoccus), and decreasing the levels of harmful pathogens (such as Turicibacter and Clostridiaceae_Clostridium) in the gut. This study showed that medium dose FRPP reduced the hormone level and regulated the unbalanced gut microbiota in BPH rats, thereby alleviating BPH.

Bee pollen usage as carrier material in the drying of honey and some properties of honey-bee pollen powders

PurposeThe aim of this study was to produce an enriched honey powder with active compounds coming from bee pollen and investigate the effects of bee pollen addition as a carrier material on honey powder.Design/methodology/approachThe effects of bee pollen addition as carrier material in corporation with gum arabic at different ratios (25, 50 and 75% of total carrier material amount) on vacuum-dried honey-bee pollen powder were investigated.FindingsThe bee pollen concentration raise in the mixture increased the particle size, total phenolic, flavonoid and sugar contents and antioxidant activity, whereas decreased the Hauser ratio and Carr index values, hygroscopicity and solubility of enriched honey powder samples. The honey powder samples had passable and poor flow properties and very hygroscopic (>20%) structure because of the high sugar content. The phenolic and flavonoid contents of honey powder samples with bee pollen changed between 1531.59 and 3796.00 mg GAE/kg and 424.05–1203.10 mg QE/kg, respectively, and these values were much higher than the control sample. On the basis of linear correlation analysis, there was a very high positive correlation between total phenolic, flavonoid and antioxidant activity, while there was a very high negative correlation between these parameters and solubility.Originality/valueThe study evaluated that enriching of honey powders with pollen, which is a product of both plant and bee origin, rather than enriching with different plant and animal sources has an innovative approach. Additionally, the usage of bee pollen as a carrier agent in food drying has not been previously reported in any study.

The effect of date palm pollen & zinc sulphate in thetreatment of human male infertility

This study was performed to determine the possible synergistic effects between zinc sulphate & pollen of Date palm in the treatment of men infertility. Pollen powder was packed as 500 mg iq capsules,. while zinc sulphate capsule was prepared by packing 100 mg of zinc sulphate with 400 mg glucose in gelatinous capsule. A combined therapy used for treatment of 25 infertile men as one capsule for each patient twicedaily for 3 months. The treatment was significantly increased serum LH, FSH, & testosterone levels. It was also, increased significantly sperm count & motility. Sexual desire was also significantly increased. Wives of treated men got pregnancy during the treatment period. Combined therapy of Date palm pollen & zinc sulphate cause no biochemical & hematological toxicities

The probable therapeutic effects of date palm pollen in thetreatment of male infertility

This study was performed to determine the possible therapeutic effects of Date palm pollen in male infertility. Pollen powder was packed as 500 mg in capsules , and used for treatment of 25 infertile men as 500 mg twice daily for 3 months. The treatment significantly increased serum LH,FSH and testosterone levels . It also significantly increased sperm count and motility . Sexual desire was also significantly increased. Wives of two treated male became pregnant during the treatment period . Pollen of Date palm causes no biochemical and hematological toxicities. As a conclusion it is effective, cheap, and safe therapeutic agent.

The efficacy of using pine (Pinus massoniana) pollen as an alternative to synthetic steroids in producing monosex male Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, L.)

AbstractSynthetic sex steroids are widely used to produce all‐male stocks in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). However, there is a growing concern about the use of synthetic steroid hormones in fish as food. We investigated the efficacy of a natural sex hormone as an alternative to synthetic steroids in producing monosex male tilapia. Two‐day‐old fry were fed pine pollen powder at three different concentrations (0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%) for 28 days and subsequently reared for 3 months to observe the efficacy of pine pollen as well as to optimize the concentration for sex reversal. As a positive control, same‐aged fry of three different commercial tilapia hatcheries were fed synthetic steroid and 17‐α‐methyl testosterone‐treated feed (60 mg/kg) for the same duration. Before analyzing the phenotypic sex, the fish were reared on untreated commercial feed for 90 days in separate tanks. The 1.0% pine pollen treatment yielded a mean of 92.50 ± 0.51% males among the progeny, higher than the mean (89.49 ± 0.25%) obtained from synthetic steroid treatments. This result demonstrates that pine pollen could be an effective compound for the direct masculinization of Nile tilapia. We also obtained a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the growth performance and survival of tilapia using the dietary allotment of pine pollen. Our study suggests the feasibility of this compound as an eco‐friendly method of masculinization of tilapia and can be tried in commercial aquaculture practice.

Textile Dye Removal by Acacia dealbata Link. Pollen Adsorption Combined with UV-A/NTA/Fenton Process

The decolourization of an aqueous solution of the textile dye Acid Red 88 (AR88) and the control of the invasive plant species Acacia dealbata Link. (ADL) were addressed in this work. The aims of the study were (1) characterization of the ADL pollen, (2) application of the pollen powder in adsorption processes, (3) selection of the best operational conditions for nitriloacetic acid (NTA)-UV-A-Fenton process and (4) assess the efficiency of the combined treatment adsorption and NTA-UV-A-Fenton in AR88 decolourization. In a first step, ADL pollen was used as a AR88 bioadsorbent. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis were performed and revealed the presence of proteins, fatty acids, carbohydrates and lignin in the pollen. Afterwards, trough scanning electron microscopy (SEM), it was possible to verify that ADL pollen has several empty spaces that can be used for dye adsorption. Biosorption results showed higher adsorption of AR88 with application of pH 3.0 and [pollen] = 3.0 g/L with 18.8 mg/g of dye adsorbed. The best fitting was observed with Langmuir, SIPS and Jovanovic isotherms (0.993, 0.996 and 0.994, respectively). To complement the biosorption, a UV-A-Fenton process was applied, and results showed a higher AR88 removal with (NTA) addition. Higher irradiance power favored the oxidation process with high Ф photodegradation value and low Electric Energy per Order (E_{text{EO}}) and Specific Applied Energy (E_{text{SAE}}). The combination of biosorption with NTA-UV-A-Fenton was the most efficient system with an AR88 decolourization of 98.5% and a total organic carbon (TOC) removal of 83.5%.Graphical

Techno-functional, textural and sensorial properties of frankfurters as affected by the addition of bee pollen powder

The objective of this study was to determine whether the addition of different pollen powder concentrations (0.5; 1.0 and 1.5 g/100 g) had an influence on techno-functional, textural and sensorial traits of frankfurters. Examining the techno-functional characteristics of pollen, a conclusion was reached that the higher the concentration, the higher the emulsification and better techno-functional properties. Also, FTIR-ATR analysis has shown that specific pollen molecules provided good emulsifying properties of sausages. On the other hand, sensory analysis showed that sausages with the addition of 1.0% and 1.5% of pollen powder have a more pronounced floral odor. Warner-Bratzler shear force test has shown that the incorporation of pollen caused a more stable product throughout sixty days of storage than the control sample. It could be explained by the formation of more protein-protein interactions due to the addition of non-meat proteins in the formulation of frankfurters and obtaining a more stable product than the control one. All things considered, it can be concluded that pollen exhibits good techno-functional properties and could be utilized in the formulation of frankfurters with improved and steady techno-functional properties during two months of refrigerated storage.

Development of a New Pasta Product by the Incorporation of Chestnut Flour and Bee Pollen

This work aimed at developing fortified pastas incorporating chestnut flour (25–55%) and powdered pollen (5–20%), either separately or in combination, as well as the characterization of the products obtained. To this, a physical characterization was carried out (analyzing texture and color), complemented with chemical analyses to determine the nutritional composition. Results showed that adding chestnut flour over 40% to wheat-flour pasta shortened optimum cooking time and lowered cooking yield, and the addition to pasta prepared with wheat flour and eggs maintained approximately constant the cooking yield. Additionally, the incorporation of pollen powder (up to 20%) in pasta prepared with wheat flour and water or fresh egg shortened the cooking time and cooking yield, in both fresh and dried pasta. The most suitable percentages of the new ingredients were 50% for chestnut and 10% for pollen. Comparing with the control pasta recipe (wheat flour and egg), the addition of chestnut flour (50%) or pollen powder (10%) increased stickiness, adhesiveness and the darkening of the final product (fresh or dried) but maintained the firmness of the pasta. The cooking of fresh or dried pasta enriched with both ingredients turned the pasta clearer and slightly stickier. On the other hand, the addition of chestnut flour and pollen powder in pasta formulation delivered a nutritionally balanced product with high fiber, vitamins and minerals. Overall, chestnut flour and powdered pollen represent promising ingredients for the development of functional fresh and dried pasta formulations.

Bee pollen powder as a functional ingredient in frankfurters

The objective of this study was to determine whether the addition of different pollen powder concentrations (0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 g/100 g) to frankfurters had an influence on antioxidant potential and oxidative changes during storage, without detrimental effect on the quality of sausages. After cold storage of frankfurters, significant (P < 0.05) reductions of psychrotrophic bacteria populations were achieved with higher amounts of pollen (1.0 and 1.5 g/100 g). Good antioxidant properties and maintained TBARS values were accomplished by incorporating pollen into the frankfurters. In terms of quality parameters, statistically significant changes were obtained regarding the color, but sensory characteristics of the products were not disturbed. Also, the incorporation of pollen did not cause changes in terms of texture profile analyses of frankfurters. It can be concluded that the natural component, bee pollen powder, can be used as an antioxidant in frankfurter formulations, but further research is needed to estimate whether it can be an adequate replacement for synthetic antioxidants.

The Posibilities Using of Bee Pollen Powder on Breeding Japanese Quail Rations: I. Effect on Performance and Hatching Egg Quality Characteristics

In this study, it was aimed to determine the posibilities use of supplementing breeder diets with different level concentrations (C: 0, BPP1: 1, BPP5: 5, BPP10: 10, and BPP20: 20 g/kg feed) of the bee pollen powder (BPP) effect on performance and hatching egg quality characteristics in Japanese quails. The experimental animals consisted of 9 week old Japanese quails, including 105 females and 45 males, and the experiment continued for six weeks. The results showed higher than control group significant effects of the (BPP) supplementation to quail diets on yolk level (P&lt;0.01), shell thickness, and Haugh unit (P&lt;0.05), but not significant effects as raise or decrease were observed on live gain, consumption feed, feed conversion ratio, egg weight, shape index, yolk index, white index, and shell weight (P&gt;0.05).Taken together, these results can be recommended BPP supplementation of quail diets. Keywords: Bee pollen, feeding, hatching egg quality, Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica). DOI: 10.7176/JSTR/6-13-04

Brood-Rearing Enhancing Potential of Manually Packed Pollen Feeding in Comparison with Pollen and Pollen Supplements in Patty Forms

Abstract Dearth-period pollen or pollen supplement feedings have become a common practice to maintain and stimulate the early buildup of honeybee colonies. Not only amount, type and consumption rate of feeds are important but the conversion and its nutrient availability are essential. In the current study, we investigated how honey bee colony's brood rearing enhanced by feeding natural pollen powder (packed on cells of drawn-out combs) in comparison with patty forms natural-pollen, Mega-bee and Ultra-bee pollen substitutes during dearth period. The study showed that colonies given the pollen powder (packed on cells of drawn out combs) immediately converted it into beebread similar to naturally collected pollen. The colonies in the packed pollen-powder group showed consistent increment and on average reared 86.3% more brood than the patty-form natural pollen, Mega-bee and Ultra-bee pollen substitutes, without having significant differences in their consumption rate. The colonies in the packed-pollen group performed better might be because the conversion of the packed-pollen powder into beebread allows better nutrient availability due to its fermentation by nest microbes and further biosynthesis process. Moreover, the presence of beebread from packed-pollen adjacent to the brood combs represents the natural way of feed reserve storage which might also contribute to the stimulation of brood rearing in colonies better than feeding in patty-forms of natural pollen, Mega-bee and Ultra-bee. Packed-pollen feeding as an alternative to patty forms could improve dearth period maintenance and early population building of colonies.

A multiplex real-time PCR method applied to detect eight pollen species in food for the prevention of allergies

Pollen-induced anaphylaxis is recognized as the most common allergic disease. Methods for pollen species identification are thus regarded as important and urgent for the protection of sensitive consumers. In our study, a multiplex real-time PCR assay was established targeting eight pollens that have been reported recently as potential allergens or were uncommon species that have been newly exploited for marketing purposes (pine pollen, canola bee pollens, kiwi bee pollens, willow bee pollens, corn poppy bee pollens, rose bee pollens, lotus bee pollens, and camellia bee pollens). This method proved to be highly specific and efficient, with four pollen species being identified simultaneously from a single reaction. The absolute sensitivity was 1 pg/μL to 1 ng/μL for DNA from the eight pollen species, and as low as 0.5% (w/w) mixed bee pollen powder could be discriminated. A microscopy method using SEM was compared with our multiplex real-time PCR method. Results demonstrated that SEM was much less sensitive than multiplex real-time PCR, with the sensitivity of the former being approximately 10–50% (w/w).

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>

INVESTIGATION OF THE PROCESS OF BEE POLLEN COMMINUTION

The quality of modern food products may be improved by adding bee pollen (PB) to the composition. The important stage of the process of improvement of an existent product or creation of new one is the optimization of the technology of bee pollen preparation, especially, comminution. The aim of the researches was to investigate the process of comminution and to optimize technological parameters for receiving high quality powder, used as a component of sour-milk beverages and other products. The study elucidates the influence of a series of factors on the size of particles and quality of bee pollen powder by technological and phytochemical properties. Using the visual method with modern optimal devices, it was established, that pollen can be comminuted to the particles size 120–8 mcm. The dispersity degree of received powder caused changes of the phytochemical activity and technological parameters of a product. The method of colorimetry determined that the content of flavonoids in pollen increases by 53 % at communiting to particle sizes 15±5 mcm and decreases at the higher dispersity. The screen method determined the homogeneity of the material, processed by three types of comminutors and substantiated the use of a mill-pestle in the technology of bee pollen comminution as the most effective comminutor. Using the plan of the complete factor experiment of the third kind, there were studied the surfaces of a response of the dependence of pollen powder homogeneity on the comminutor work intensity, mass and term of the material processing. Technological parameters of pollen comminution by a mill-pestle were optimized: working body speed 70–80 turn/min (min−1), processing duration – 6 min, batch mass – 150 g.

ETHNOBOTANICAL SURVEY OF PHOENIX DACTYLIFERA L. POLLEN USED FOR THE TREATMENT OF INFERTILITY PROBLEMS IN ALGERIAN OASES.

Background:The Phoenix dactylifera L. (date palm) is known for its traditional medicinal properties across the history of native population in Algerian Sahara. There is a large trend of consumption of date palm pollen preparations in many human infertility cases in our country. However, the validity has not been scientifically tested. There has been no direct scientific research on this application. This study was undertaken to identify cultivars with greater potential in the traditional medicine uses. To evaluate the effects of date palm pollen on some sexual behavioural parameters of male adult rats, we tested the role of pollen powder from Deglet Nour cultivar on some male reproductive parameters.Materials and Methods:An Ethnobotanical survey was conducted in 17 oases in southern Algeria to identify all cultivars with medicinal interest. Local people were interviewed with open questions. A questionnaire and personal interviews for data collection were designed to record important cultivars, parts used and preparations. To determine the active constituents of date palm pollen used in traditional medicine, a phytochemical screening was performed. The effects of oral administration of date palm pollen suspension on male adult rats were investigated on body and testicle weights, serum testosterone level.Results:131 prominent cultivars were found within 12 cultivars containing various parts with medicinal effects. Some primary and secondary metabolites were detected by phytochemical screening. The pollen increased the weight of the body, testicles and enhanced the serum testosterone level of male rats treated.Conclusion:The present survey has provided the identification and recognition of date palm cultivars used in traditional Saharan medicine. Date palm pollen could improve sexual activities in male infertility cases and may be attempted to derive drugs.

Determination of reduced glutathione, cystein and total thiols in pine pollen powder by in situ derivatization

Glutathione (GSH), cystein (CySH) and total thiols in pine pollen powder were determined by spectrometric, fluorometric and high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) assays utilizing 5,5′-dithio-bis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB, Ellman's reagent) and o-phthaldehyde (OPA) as derivatizing agents. The pollen samples were extracted with phosphate buffer solutions (PBS) containing excess derivatizing agents concomitant with ultrasonic cell rupture. In this way, thiol groups in the samples could be effectively blocked by in situ formation of relatively stable derivatizing products just after the pollen cell ruptured, thereby effectively preventing thiol groups from oxidation during sample preparation and making it possible to perform sensitive and accurate detections. Using a precolumn derivatization method, DTNB, GSH and CySH, as well as other thiol compounds can be determined or estimated by the HPLC method. Total thiols in the samples were determined by the spectrometric method using DTNB as the derivatizing agent. GSH was also selectively determined by the fluorometric method using OPA as the derivatizing agent. The detection results indicated that abundant thiol compounds, such as GSH, CySH and thiol protein, existed in pine pollen powder with measured amounts of 0.50–0.53μmol∙g−1 of GSH, 0.41μmol∙g−1 of CySH and 4.15μmol∙g−1 of total thiols.

적채 추출물의 기능성 및 적채를 첨가한 우리밀 국수의 품질특성

Quality characteristics and functional properties of Korean wheat noodle with brassica oleracea L. powder were investigated to develop health promoting and high quality product. Brassica oleracea L. powder was extracted with water and ethanol, and the extracts were tested its electron donating ability (EDA) and nitrite scavenging ability (NSA). Quality characteristics of the noodle were evaluated by its color, flavor, moisture, softness, texture and taste evaluation. Microbiological Quality was also tested counting total viable cells. EDA was highest at 1000 ppm of both water extract ( of EDA) and ethanol extract ( of EDA). NSA was highest pH 1.2 of both water extract ( of NSA) and ethanol extract ( of NSA). In antimicrobial activity test, Korean wheat noodle with pine pollen powder displayed log cycle of total viable cell counts lower than that of control at 5 days of storage. Sensory evaluation of Korean wheat dried and cooked noodles with Brassica oleracea L. powder showed significantly higher scores in overall.

Studies on the Intestinal Absorption of Pollen Proteins, Observations on Rat.

As one of the inlets to the mechanism of oral immunotolerance induced by pollen powder, the absorption of antigenic pollen proteins (PPs) through the healthy intestinal mucosa and their destinations were observed. Immunohistochemical observations of the organs of rats given PPs into the digestive tract revealed that PPs were adhered to the surface of the mucous epithelial cells of jejunum being taken into the cells by pinocytosis and then transferred to the blood capillaries, indicating that the antigenic PPs are absorbed through the normal intestinal epithelium keeping the antigenicity. One hour after the PPs administration the absorbed proteins were found in liver parenchymal cells and kidney convoluted tubules but not in spleen and lymphatic tissues. Three hours after administration the distinct positive reaction of PPs disappeared leaving only faint reaction in some liver parenchymal cells. The findings indicate that intestinal epithelial cells, liver parenchymal cells and or renal tubular cells will be closely related to the development of oral immunotolerance.

The effect of inhalation of antigens by the guinea pig on the production of anaphylaxis

1. 1. A method for delivering an anigen by the inhalant route is described. 2. 2. Experiments using ragweed pollen powder and fluid antigen, and horse dander powder and fluid antigen by the inhalant route failed to produce satisfactory symptoms of anaphylaxis in guinea pigs. 3. 3. The injection of thyroxin did not lower the threshold of susceptibility to anaphylaxis of guinea pigs to inhalant exposure. 4. 4. Although primary intravenous injection of guinea pigs with fluid antigen was performed, inhalant exposure after a suitable incubation period failed to give rise to symptoms of anaphylaxis.