Phenolic profile by HPLC-MS, biological potential, and nutritional value of a promising food: Monofloral bee pollen

The objective of this study was to determine physicochemical and phenolic profiles as well the antioxidant and antimicrobial capacities of monofloral bee pollen samples from Brazil. Traditional methods were used. The phenolic profile was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS). The protein (10.6–33.9 g/100g), lipids (3.2–8.3 g/ 100g), ashes (2.6–3.8 g/100g), total phenolic (5.6–29.7 mg GAE/g), and total flavonoid (0.3– 19.0 mg QE/g) values were variable, even between products with the same botanical origin. The minerals analyzed were found in amounts varying between 10 mg/kg and 9.1 g/kg. Each product presented specific color parameters. Myrcia bee pollen presented the greater antioxidant capacity, and Mimosa scabrella bee pollen from Santa Catarina state was the most efficient in inhibiting bacteria and yeasts. Among the compounds identified by HPLC-MS, flavonoid 3-O-glycosides predominated. The physicochemical and phenolic profiles of each sample were distinct, and there was no pattern between monofloral products of the same pollen type.The authors are grateful to beekeepers who provided samples. MM Moreira is also grateful to FCT/MEC and FEDER, under the Partnership Agreement PT2020 through the project UID/QUI/50006/2013 - POCI/01/0145/FERDER/007265.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effect of processing conditions on characteristics of dehydrated bee-pollen and correlation between quality parameters

The aim of the present study was to compare the physical, chemical and biological parameters and the microbiological quality of bee-pollen samples treated with different dehydration processes and to correlate the results. The samples came mainly from Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) and Eupatorium (Asteraceae) plants. The dehydration conditions of the samples influenced the L*a*b* colour parameters and the biological value. Unlike the protein and lipid content, the glucose and fructose content were unaffected. The vitamin E content (27.2 ± 0.3 μg/g, 27.5 ± 0.4 μg/g) in oven-dehydrated samples with forced air circulation was significantly lower (P < 0.05) compared with lyophilized samples (37.5 ± 0.2 g/100 g, 53.7 ± 3.9 g/100 g). Overall, the results were inconclusive for vitamin B complex, minerals and microbiological indicators. There was a positive correlation between the colour parameters L* and b* and the total phenolic content, as well as between phenolic content and the antioxidant and antimicrobial capacity. The data indicate that lyophilization might be a viable alternative to the current process, resulting in dehydrated bee-pollen with higher biological activity.The authors are grateful to State of S~ao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) for financial support (FAPESP process 2011/51741- 5) and scholarship granted to AAM De-Melo (FAPESP process 2011/ 11746-8 and FAPESP process 2013/23179-6). For a scholarship granted to OM Barth from the National Counsel of Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq, Process 304067/2013-0). To the MN Pr opolis company that supplied the samples.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio