Bee Pollen: Current Status and Therapeutic Potential

Khalifa, Shaden A. M.; Elashal, Mohamed H; Yosri, Nermeen; Du, Ming; Musharraf, Syed Ghulam; Nahar, Lutfun; Sarker, Satyajit D.; Guo, Zhiming; Cao, Wei; Zhang, Xiaobo; El-Wahed, Aida Abd; Xiao, Jianbo; Omar, Hany A.; Hegazy, Mohamed‐Elamir F.; El-Seedi, Hesham R.

doi:10.3390/nu13061876

Cited by 100 publications

(96 citation statements)

References 73 publications

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“…High nutritional value of bee pollen originates from the content of essential substances such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins, and minerals. Bee pollen also contains important bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols and flavonoids [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ] which are known antioxidants [ 10 ] responsible for various biological activities. Furthermore, bee pollen contains all the amino acids essential for human body [ 11 ] in concentrations that are five to seven times higher than those found in traditional high protein foods [ 4 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of Bee Pollen: Physico-Chemical Properties, Headspace Composition and FTIR Spectral Profiles

Prđun

Svečnjak

Valentić

et al. 2021

Foods

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Chemical characterization of bee pollen is of great importance for its quality estimation. Multifloral and unifloral bee pollen samples collected from continental, mountain and Adriatic regions of Croatia were analyzed by means of physico-chemical, chromatographic (GC-MS), and spectroscopic (FTIR-ATR) analytical tools, aiming to conduct a comprehensive characterization of bee pollen. The most distinctive unifloral bee pollen with regard to nutritional value was Aesculus hippocastanum (27.26% of proteins), Quercus spp. (52.58% of total sugars), Taraxacumofficinale (19.04% of total lipids), and Prunusavium (3.81% of ash). No statistically significant differences between multifloral and unifloral bee pollen from different regions were found for most of the physico-chemical measurement data, with an exception of melezitose (p = 0.04). Remarkable differences were found among the bee pollen HS VOCs. The major ones were lower aliphatic compounds, monoterpenes (mainly linalool derivatives, especially in Prunusmahaleb and P.avium bee pollen), and benzene derivatives (mainly benzaldehyde in T.officinale and Salix spp.). Aldehydes C9 to C17 were present in almost all samples. FTIR-ATR analysis revealed unique spectral profiles of analyzed bee pollen exhibiting its overall chemical composition arising from molecular vibrations related to major macromolecules—proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates (sugars).

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of Bee Pollen: Physico-Chemical Properties, Headspace Composition and FTIR Spectral Profiles

Prđun

Svečnjak

Valentić

et al. 2021

Foods

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“…It has been proved that bee venom acupuncture is effective in musculoskeletal pain, neuropathic pain, neuropsychiatric disorders, immunological diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson’s, and skin diseases [ 101 , 102 ]. Similarly, it has been documented that bee pollen and bee bread can regulate ovarian functions, prevent obesity, and ameliorate blood sugar levels [ 103 , 104 ].…”

Section: The Antiviral Effect Of Bee Productsmentioning

confidence: 99%

New Insights into Potential Beneficial Effects of Bioactive Compounds of Bee Products in Boosting Immunity to Fight COVID-19 Pandemic: Focus on Zinc and Polyphenols

et al. 2022

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The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an epidemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). Populations at risk as well as those who can develop serious complications are people with chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and the elderly. Severe symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection are associated with immune failure and dysfunction. The approach of strengthening immunity may be the right choice in order to save lives. This review aimed to provide an overview of current information revealing the importance of bee products in strengthening the immune system against COVID-19. We highlighted the immunomodulatory and the antiviral effects of zinc and polyphenols, which may actively contribute to improving symptoms and preventing complications caused by COVID-19 and can counteract viral infections. Thus, this review will pave the way for conducting advanced experimental research to evaluate zinc and polyphenols-rich bee products to prevent and reduce the severity of COVID-19 symptoms.

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“…Bee pollen contains bioactive compounds, including proteins, amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, and polyphenols [ 54 , 68 ]. Considering pollen, it has been reported that the bee pollen’s protein concentration varies between 10% and 40% ( w / w ), depending on the botanical origin.…”

Section: Nutritional Value Bioactive Components and Beneficial Properties Of Bee Productsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bee Products: A Representation of Biodiversity, Sustainability, and Health

Durazzo¹,

Lucarini²,

Plutino

et al. 2021

Life

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Biodiversity strengthens the productivity of any ecosystem (agricultural land, forest, lake, etc.). The loss of biodiversity contributes to food and energy insecurity; increases vulnerability to natural disasters, such as floods or tropical storms; and decreases the quality of both life and health. Wild and managed bees play a key role in maintaining the biodiversity and in the recovery and restoration of degraded habitats. The novelty character of this perspective is to give an updated representation of bee products’ biodiversity, sustainability, and health relationship. The role of bees as bioindicators, their importance in the conservation of biodiversity, their ecosystem services, and the variety of the bee products are described herein. An overview of the main components of bee products, their biological potentials, and health is highlighted and detailed as follows: (i) nutritional value of bee products, (ii) bioactive profile of bee products and the related beneficial properties; (iii) focus on honey and health through a literature quantitative analysis, and (iv) bee products explored through databases. Moreover, as an example of the interconnection between health, biodiversity, and sustainability, a case study, namely the “Cellulose Park”, realized in Rome (Italy), is presented here. This case study highlights how bee activities can be used to assess and track changes in the quality of agricultural ecosystems—hive products could be valid indicators of the quality and health of the surrounding environment, as well as the changes induced by the biotic and abiotic factors that impact the sustainability of agricultural production and biodiversity conservation in peri-urban areas.

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Bee Pollen: Current Status and Therapeutic Potential

Cited by 100 publications

References 73 publications

Characterization of Bee Pollen: Physico-Chemical Properties, Headspace Composition and FTIR Spectral Profiles

Characterization of Bee Pollen: Physico-Chemical Properties, Headspace Composition and FTIR Spectral Profiles

New Insights into Potential Beneficial Effects of Bioactive Compounds of Bee Products in Boosting Immunity to Fight COVID-19 Pandemic: Focus on Zinc and Polyphenols

Bee Products: A Representation of Biodiversity, Sustainability, and Health

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