Evaluation of Antioxidant and Anticancer Activity of Mono- and Polyfloral Moroccan Bee Pollen by Characterizing Phenolic and Volatile Compounds

Abstract

Bee pollen is frequently characterized as a natural source of bioactive components, such as phenolic compounds, which are responsible for its pharmaceutical potential and nutritional properties. In this study, we evaluated the bioactive compound contents of mono- and polyfloral bee pollen samples using spectroscopic and chromatographic methods and established links with their antioxidant and antitumor activity. The findings demonstrated that the botanical origin of bee pollen has a remarkable impact on its phenolic (3–17 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid (0.5–3.2 mg QE/g) contents. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis revealed the presence of 35 phenolic and 13 phenylamide compounds in bee pollen, while gas chromatography–mass spectrometry showed its richness in volatiles, such as hydrocarbons, fatty acids, alcohols, ketones, etc. The concentration of bioactive compounds in each sample resulted in a substantial distinction in their antioxidant activity, DPPH (EC50: 0.3–0.7 mg/mL), ABTS (0.8–1.3 mM Trolox/mg), and reducing power (0.03–0.05 mg GAE/g), with the most bioactive pollens being the monofloral samples from Olea europaea and Ononis spinosa. Complementarily, some samples revealed a moderate effect on cervical carcinoma (GI50: 495 μg/mL) and breast adenocarcinoma (GI50: 734 μg/mL) cell lines. This may be associated with compounds such as quercetin-O-diglucoside and kaempferol-3-O-rhamnoside, which are present in pollens from Olea europaea and Coriandrum, respectively. Overall, the results highlighted the potentiality of bee pollen to serve health-promoting formulations in the future.

Monofloral Corn Poppy Bee-Collected Pollen—A Detailed Insight into Its Phytochemical Composition and Antioxidant Properties

“…Some of the compounds found in the current research have already been identified in different samples. For instance, p-coumaric (0.20 mg/g) and caffeic (0.15 mg/g) acids were determined in monofloral Moroccan bee-collected pollen samples originating from Apiaceae and Fabaceae plants, respectively [41]. Furthermore, similar to the current research, the authors found different quercetin and kaempferol glycosides (ranging from 1.19 to 1.77 mg/g) as predominant compounds [41].…”

“…For instance, p-coumaric (0.20 mg/g) and caffeic (0.15 mg/g) acids were determined in monofloral Moroccan bee-collected pollen samples originating from Apiaceae and Fabaceae plants, respectively [41]. Furthermore, similar to the current research, the authors found different quercetin and kaempferol glycosides (ranging from 1.19 to 1.77 mg/g) as predominant compounds [41]. In a polyfloral sample consisting mostly of Cytisus stratius and Eucalyptus sp.…”

Assessing monofloral bee pollens from Türkiye: Palynological verification, phenolic profile, and antioxidant activity

“…The most accurate method for determining the botanical sources of HBP is palynological analysis (Li et al., 2018). Through pollen analysis, most researchers classified HBP as multifloral or monofloral (Alimoglu et al., 2021; Aylanc et al., 2023; Gercek et al., 2021). However, Barth et al.…”

“…The most accurate method for determining the botanical sources of HBP is palynological analysis (Li et al, 2018). Through pollen analysis, most researchers classified HBP as multifloral or monofloral (Alimoglu et al, 2021;Aylanc et al, 2023;Gercek et al, 2021). However, Barth et al (2010), Mosić et al (2019), and Nandi and Karmakar (2018) proposed a more detailed classification, covering mono, bi, tri, and multifloral categories.…”

“…Monofloral HBP is regarded as nutritionally superior to multifloral HBP because it preserves more of the organoleptic and biochemical characteristics inherent to the specific plant from which it originates (Almeida‐Muradian et al., 2005). Previous studies have shown the nutritional value of some monofloral HBPs (Aylanc et al., 2023). However, further research is necessary to assess the monofloral HBP composition in different geographical regions to identify potential sources of high‐quality bee pollens.…”