Monofloral and polyfloral bee pollens: Comparative evaluation of their phenolics and bioactivity profiles

Screening of Plant Pollen Sources, Polyphenolic Compounds, Fatty Acids and Antioxidant/Antimicrobial Activity from Bee Pollen

“…Rutin, which is believed to contribute to antioxidant activity [ 41 ], can be used as a chemical marker for bee pollen. However, caffeic acid, isoquercitrin, galangin and chrysin were determined as “key markers” in monofloral and heterofloral bee pollen samples from different botanical and geographical origins [ 42 ]. On the other hand, the presence of p -coumaric acid, ferulic acid, rutin, myricetin, quercetin and kaempferol phenolics in bee pollen samples has also been shown in previous studies [ 43 ].…”

“…This may be due to the monofloral nature of the pollen sample. As a matter of fact, in some studies, it has been determined that heterofloral bee pollen samples have richer bioactive content compared to monofloral pollen samples [ 42 ]. As in our study, the following flavonoids and their derivatives were identified as components of Morocco bee pollen: ferulic acid (17.17 mg/kg), o-coumaric acid (27.10 mg/kg), chlorogenic acid (not detected), catechin (not detected), naringin (113.71 mg/kg), quercetin (48.12 mg/kg), rutin (95.36 mg/kg), resveratrol (44.00 mg/kg), and kaempferol (not detected) [ 45 ].…”

Characterization of Romanian Bee Pollen—An Important Nutritional Source

“…The main compounds found in the bee pollen are: proteins (10–40% in dry weight), carbohydrates (13–55% in dry weight), lipids (1–13% in dry weight), dietary fibers (0.3–20% in dry weight), phenolic compounds (up to 2.5% in dry weight), fatty acids, minerals, amino acids, carotenoids and vitamins [ 2 ]. The phenolic compounds (e.g., flavonoids and phenolic acids) presented in the bee pollen are of a great interest for pharmaceutical industry due to their great importance for prophylaxis of diseases, particularly to prevent cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders, those having direct correlation with oxidative damage [ 3 ]. Given its unique composition, bee pollen is consumed as a food supplement and scientists considered that it is an important functional food [ 2 , 4 , 5 ] and was reported to have strong health properties such as antioxidant, antiallergen, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, immune-stimulating, antimicrobial and anticarcinogenic [ 6 , 7 ].…”

“…The bee pollen was reported to have a high antioxidant activity mainly due to the polyphenols which generate a high free radical scavenging potential [ 10 , 14 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Among the phenolic compounds reported to be determined in the bee pollen were: kaempferol, caffeic acid, quercetin, isoquercetrin, galangin and chrysisn; the glycosides of isorhamnetin, quercetin and kaempferol are the predominant flavonoids in bee pollen [ 3 , 21 , 22 ]. Bee pollen is a rich source of oil (1–13% in dry weight) and in consequence an important source of fatty acids for hive development; they are important not only for their role as a structural component for cell membranes and energy, but also for their role for bees health [ 12 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ].…”

Bee Products: An Emblematic Example of Underutilized Sources of Bioactive Compounds

“…The phenolic acid and flavonoid contents in bee pollen show great variability (Table S1 of the Supporting Information) − ,,, as a result of differing floral and geographical origins . Approximately 11 different phenolic acids and their derivatives or glycosylated forms (e.g., hydroxycinnamic acid glycosides) and hydroxycinnamic acid amide derivatives have been identified in BP from different geographical and floral origins, − ,, where ferulic acid (as a trace amount of 149 μg/g of pollen) − and 2-hydroxycinnamic acid (43–180 μg/g of pollen) , stood out for their content levels. BP also shows a broad flavonoid profile (Table S1 of the Supporting Information).…”