Analysis of pollen load based on color, physicochemical composition and botanical source

Abstract

Pollen load samples from 10 hives of Apis mellifera (L.) were analyzed based on their physicochemical composition and botanical source, considering color as a parameter for quality control. In seven samples it was possible to establish the occurrence of more than 80% of a single pollen type, characterizing them as unifloral but with protein content variation. One of the samples was exclusively composed of saprophytic fungi (Cladosporium sp.). Comparing the mean results of the fungi loads with those of the nutritional components of pollen load, the former presented higher protein, mineral matter and dry matter and lower organic matter, ethereal extract and total carbohydrate values. The monochromatic samples met the physicochemical specifications regulating pollen load quality. The results showed that homogeneous coloration of the pollen load was not found to be a good indication of unifloral pollen, confirming the importance of physicochemical analysis and melissopalynological analysis for characterization of the quality of commercial pollen load.

Pollen Sources forMelipona capixabaMoure & Camargo: An Endangered Brazilian Stingless Bee

“…However, the almost exclusive usage of only one floral resource by M. capixaba can put this species in danger on the absence of this resource, besides the fact that it cannot offer all the nutritional necessities needed by the bees. Other research demonstrated that the pollen nutritional composition harvest by Apis mellifera did not show a correlation with the pollen type diversity, but showed a correlation with the predominance of specific pollen types [26,27]. These authors pointed as well that the different floristic compositions have influenced on pollen pellet quality, and the harvest in different food sources by the bees is important for obtaining a well-balanced diet.…”

Physicochemical composition and antioxidant potential of bee pollen from different botanical sources in Alagoas, Brazil

“…In the studies by Féas et al (2012) with bee pollen from the Douro International Natural Park (DINP, Portugal), the average total carbohydrate was 67.7% for those samples. Modro et al (2009) found an average of 68.13% carbohydrates in bee pollen from the city of Viçosa in another state in southeastern Brazil (Minas Gerais). Marchini, Reis, and Moreti (2006) obtained a mean of 28.4% for samples of bee pollen from their studies.…”

“…These values were within the limits prescribed by law in bee pollen (a minimum of 1.8% of total lipids) (Brazil, 2001). Modro et al (2009) evaluated pollen samples collected from an experimental apiary in a municipality of Minas Gerais (Viçosa) during the months of AugustDecember, and they found values from 1.78 to 6.55% for total lipids. Similar results were observed in samples collected in Piracicaba, São Paulo, as well as in southeastern Brazil, with fats in bee pollen ranging from 2.2 to 5.1% over one year (Marchini;Reis;Moreti, 2006).…”

Evaluation of the botanical origin of commercial dry bee pollen load batches using pollen analysis: a proposal for technical standardization

“…In this case, single bees are captured and both of their pollen loads were analyzed (Carvalho and Marchini 1999, Marques-Souza et al 2002, Noor et al 2009). Secondly, when pollen traps are used, several pollen loads perform one sample that, for analysis, has to be well mixed; a group of pollen loads, in general selected by its weight or color (Almeida-Muradian 2005, Barth et al 2009, Modro et al 2009a, is used for the recognition of the botanical species composing this pollen sample. The main issue to address is the significance or not of the choice by color.…”

“…The main issue to address is the significance or not of the choice by color. An accurate description of the pollen load sample processing and analysis is frequently missed during experiment descriptions (Modro et al 2007(Modro et al , 2009a. Commonly, a fragment of a pollen load of each color is analyzed; no sample centrifugation is used.…”