Age-Induced Diminution of Free Radical Scavenging Capacity in Bee Pollens and the Contribution of Constituent Flavonoids

Abstract

Bee-collected pollen ("bee pollen") is promoted as a health food with a wide range of nutritional and therapeutic properties. The objective of the current study is to evaluate the contribution made through the free radical scavenging capability of bee-collected floval pollens by their flavonoid/phenolics constituents, and to determine whether this capability is affected by aging. The free radical scavenging effectiveness of a bee pollen (EC 50 ) as measured by the DPPH method is shown to be determined by the nature and levels of the constituent floral pollens, which can be assayed via their phenolics profiles by HPLC. Each pure floral pollen has been found to possess a consistent EC 50 value, irrespective of its geographic origin or date of collection, and the EC 50 value is determined to a large extent (ca. 50%) by the nature and the levels of the pollen's flavonoids and phenolic acids. Nonphenolic antioxidants, possibly proteins, account for the balance of the activity. Pollen aging over 3 years is demonstrated to reduce the free radical scavenging activity by up to 50% in the most active floral pollens, which tend to contain the highest levels of flavonoids/phenolic acids. It is suggested that the freshness of a bee pollen may be determined from its free radical scavenging capacity relative to that of fresh bee pollen containing the same floral pollen mix.

The effects of dietary bee pollen on lipid peroxidation and fatty acids composition of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) meat under different stocking densities

“…Dietary bee pollen supplementation showed positive effects on stress, reducing lipid peroxidation due to antioxidant substances in its structure (Campos et al 2003) and increasing the PUFA level in some tissues due to high PUFA content in its structure (Table 3). The dietary PUFA supplementation can exert benefits on antioxidative status, and alter the animal performance and health (Chen et al 2012).…”

“…In this regard, bee pollen is widely used as a natural supplement, as it contains most of the essential elements needed for growth and developments in human beings and animals (Bell et al 1983;Orzaez et al 2002;Hascik et al 2012). Bee pollen contains essential amino acids, proteins, unsaturated fatty acids, anthocyanins, ferulic acids, pantothenic acid, vitamins, minerals such as iron, manganese and zinc, and trace elements (Campos et al 2003;Mutsauers et al 2005). Also it contains significant amounts of flavonoids, carotenoids and phytosterols (Campos et al 2003).…”

“…Bee pollen contains essential amino acids, proteins, unsaturated fatty acids, anthocyanins, ferulic acids, pantothenic acid, vitamins, minerals such as iron, manganese and zinc, and trace elements (Campos et al 2003;Mutsauers et al 2005). Also it contains significant amounts of flavonoids, carotenoids and phytosterols (Campos et al 2003). Flavonoids are polyphenolic substances.…”

“…Polyphenols have strong antioxidant capacity. They are capable of scavenging free radical due to metal chelation properties (Campos et al 2003;Abdella et al 2009;Teixeria et al 2010). Stocking density has been defined as the number of birds being reared in a given housing area .…”

Comparative Evaluation of the Phytochemical Constituents and the Antioxidant Activities of Five Moroccan Pepper Varieties (Capsicum Annuum L.)

“…The free radical-scavenger activity was determined by the DPPH assay, as described previously by Campos et al 18 . The antiradical activity of extracts was evaluated using a dilution series, in order to obtain a large spectrum of sample concentrations.…”