Bee Pollen and Bread as a Super-Food: A Comparative Review of Their Metabolome Composition and Quality Assessment in the Context of Best Recovery Conditions

Abstract

Recently, functional foods have been a subject of great interest in dietetics owing not only to their nutritional value but rather their myriad of health benefits. Moreover, an increase in consumers’ demands for such valuable foods warrants the development in not only production but rather tools of quality and nutrient assessment. Bee products, viz., pollen (BP) and bread, are normally harvested from the flowering plants with the aid of bees. BP is further subjected to a fermentation process in bee hives to produce the more valuable and bioavailable BB. Owing to their nutritional and medicinal properties, bee products are considered as an important food supplements rich in macro-, micro-, and phytonutrients. Bee products are rich in carbohydrates, amino acids, vitamins, fatty acids, and minerals in addition to a myriad of phytonutrients such as phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, volatiles, and carotenoids. Moreover, unsaturated fatty acids (USFAs) of improved lipid profile such as linoleic, linolenic, and oleic were identified in BP and BB. This work aims to present a holistic overview of BP and BB in the context of their composition and analysis, and to highlight optimized extraction techniques to maximize their value and future applications in nutraceuticals.

Translational Research on Bee Pollen as a Source of Nutrients: A Scoping Review from Bench to Real World

“…It Is important, moreover, to note that the abundance of polyols (e.g., mannitol, inositol, xylitol, ribitol), as included components of carbohydrates in this matrix, contribute to its lower caloric value while ensuring the equilibrated import of energy sources and other nutritional needs [ 5 ].…”

“…Allergic reactions are rare and BP is perceived as a safe product in most physiological situations including in childhood, in older age, and in disease recoveries [ 3 , 4 ]. BP from different floral sources has been reported to possess anesthetic, anti-allergic, anti-androgen, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-cancer (anticarcinogenic and anti-mutagenic), anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial (antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral), antioxidant, antiulcer, and immunostimulant activities [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. On metabolic pathophysiology, it has been shown to possess anti-obesity [ 12 ], antidiabetic [ 12 ], hypocholesterolemic [ 13 ], and hepatoprotective [ 7 , 12 ] effects.…”

“…On metabolic pathophysiology, it has been shown to possess anti-obesity [ 12 ], antidiabetic [ 12 ], hypocholesterolemic [ 13 ], and hepatoprotective [ 7 , 12 ] effects. In the digestive system, it has been shown to maintain [ 5 ], ameliorate [ 6 ], and regulate [ 13 ] gut functions. In the cardiovascular system, it is able to reduce capillary fragility [ 5 ], and can improve overall cardiovascular health [ 6 , 13 ].…”

“…In the digestive system, it has been shown to maintain [ 5 ], ameliorate [ 6 ], and regulate [ 13 ] gut functions. In the cardiovascular system, it is able to reduce capillary fragility [ 5 ], and can improve overall cardiovascular health [ 6 , 13 ]. Some authors reported that BP may contribute to the prevention of and positively impact some degenerative processes such as neurodegeneration [ 6 , 14 ], overall aging [ 11 , 13 ], and cellular apoptosis [ 15 ], and may promote recovery from chronic diseases and possess chemo-preventive properties [ 7 ].…”

“…Some authors reported that BP may contribute to the prevention of and positively impact some degenerative processes such as neurodegeneration [ 6 , 14 ], overall aging [ 11 , 13 ], and cellular apoptosis [ 15 ], and may promote recovery from chronic diseases and possess chemo-preventive properties [ 7 ]. It has also been shown to improve skin health and reparation, encompassing many valuable cosmetic qualities [ 5 , 16 ].…”