Microorganisms in Vacuum Stored Flower Bee Pollen

Abstract

Contamination with sanitary microorganisms from Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Staphylococcaceae, Micrococcaceae and Bacillaceae families in flower bee pollen from Bulgaria after one-year vacuum-packed cold storage has been found. Dried flower bee pollens intended for human consumption were with high incidence rate of contamination with Pantoea sp. (P. agglomerans and P. agglomerans bgp6) (100%), Citrobacter freundii (47%), Proteus mirabilis (31.6%), Serratia odorifera (15.8%) and Proteus vulgaris (5.3%). Bee pollens were also positive for the culture of microorganisms from Staphylococcaceae, Micrococcaceae and Bacillaceae families: Staphylococcus hominis subsp hominis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Arthrobacter globiformis, Bacillus pumilis, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. It was concluded that, if consumed directly, the vacuum-packed cold stored dried bee pollen, harvested according hygienic requirements from bee hives in industrial pollution-free areas without intensive crop production, is not problem for healthy human.

Changes of microorganism composition in fresh and stored bee pollen from Southern Germany

“…The nutrient composition and microbiological quality of bee pollen depend strongly on its geographic and botanical origin, the weather at the time of collection, as well as on the post-harvest processing procedure by the bee keeper (Hani et al 2012;Nogueira et al 2012;Corby-Harris et al 2014;De-Melo et al 2015, 2016Dinkov 2016; Responsible editor: Diane Purchase Disayathanoowat et al 2020). When gathering of the pollen is not followed by drying or another processing step, growth of microorganisms can compromise pollen quality, leading to negative side effects like fermentation or mycotoxin production (González et al 2005;Hani et al 2012;Fatrcová-Šramková et al 2016).…”

Proposals for desiccated bee pollen production and labeling.

“…As per current Bulgarian norms, the fresh pollen, collected from apiaries, should be dried at temperatures up to 45°C and should have residual water content not higher than 12% [1]. According our studies, we could propose water content not higher than 12% that could be more suitable for human consumption of the product [13,16].…”

“…Desiccated bee pollen should be preferably stored vacuum packed to preserve its antioxidant activity and prevent moisture accumulation and additional contamination [12]. Our surveys in dried bee pollen after one-year vacuum-packed cold storage at 0°C to 4°С [13,16,18] did not establish lowering of the mean quality and safety parameters of the product.…”

“…To prevent additional contamination and bacterial replication, pollen collection from pollen traps and immediate processing are advised [12]. Because of found opportunistic bacteria from the family Enterobacteriaceae in bee pollen and the possible skin infections occurring from the collection of fresh bee pollen from pollen traps there is therefore a need for observation of a higher level of precautions not only during processing, but also using disposable gloves when working with pollen traps and during the primary processing of the product [13].…”

“…Studies from 2011 have established that bioactive components of pollen were preserved the best after freezing and frying [15]. With respect to a more precise technological processing a sieving and blowing with electric fans and initial drying followed by laboratory analysis of water content of dried pollen were recommended [16].…”