Bee Pollen Extracts: Chemical Composition, Antioxidant Properties, and Effect on the Growth of Selected Probiotic and Pathogenic Bacteria

Abstract

This paper evaluated the chemical and biological properties of bee pollen samples from Romania. Firstly, the bee pollen alcoholic extracts (BPEs) were obtained from raw bee pollen harvested by Apis mellifera carpatica bees. The chemical composition of BPE was obtained by determination of total phenol content and total flavonoid content, UHPLC-DAD-ESI/MS analysis of phenolic compounds, and GC-MS analysis of fatty acids, esters, and terpenes. Additionally, the antioxidant activity was evaluated by the Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity method. Furthermore, the biological properties of BPE were evaluated (antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity). The raw BP samples studied in this paper had significant phenolic acid and flavonoid content, and moderate fatty acid, ester, and terpene content. P1, P2, and P4 have the highest TPC and TFC levels, and the best antioxidant activity. All BPEs studied had antimicrobial activity on pathogenic strains isolated from the clinic or standard strains. A synergistic antimicrobial effect of the BPEs was observed along with the soluble compounds of L. rhamnosus MF9 and E. faecalis 2M17 against some pathogenic (clinical) strains and, considering the tumour proliferation inhibitory activity, makes BP a potential prebiotic and antitumour agent for the gut environment.

Increasing Bioavailability of Trans-Ferulic Acid by Encapsulation in Functionalized Mesoporous Silica

“…Following the same steps, the blank/control (C) samples are performed: sterility and microbial growth. The 96-well plates are incubated at 37 °C for 24 h. The determination of MIC values was performed both by macroscopic observation and by reading at 620 nm (the suspensions are transferred to a sterile plate because the initial plate contains precipitate/NPs deposited on the bottom of the well and would interfere with the absorbance of the medium) [ 52 , 53 , 54 ].…”

“…The excess dye is removed by washing, and in order to determine the MAIC values (minimum adhesion inhibition concentration), the dye included in the cells adhered to the walls of the well is dissolved with 33% acetic acid. Spectrophotometer readings will be performed at 490 nm with the BioTek Synergy™ HTX ELISA Multi-Mode Reader (BioTek, Winooski, VT, USA) [ 52 , 53 , 54 ].…”

Therapeutic Benefits and Dietary Restrictions of Fiber Intake: A State of the Art Review

“…Honey is also a potential source of prebiotic components as well as other bee products (bee-pollen [59], bee-bread [60], propolis [61], etc.). Honey oligosaccharides have a potential prebiotic activity by stimulating the growth of beneficial microorganisms (Lactobacillus sp.…”

Bee Pollen: Clinical Trials and Patent Applications

“…Because bee pollen comprises flavonoids and phenolic acids, its ethanol extracts are beneficial against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus , Escherichia coli , Klebsiella pneumoniae , and Pseudomonas aeurgionsa , as well as fungi such as Candida albicans [ 122 , 123 ]. The usage of bee pollen and propolis inhibits the growth and reproduction of bacteria and microbes, as shown in Table 5 and Figure 2 [ 124 ].…”