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. 2012;13(9):11173-11187.
doi: 10.3390/ijms130911173. Epub 2012 Sep 7.

Commercial bee pollen with different geographical origins: a comprehensive approach

Carla Nogueira  1 , Antonio Iglesias  2 , Xesus Feás  3 , Leticia M Estevinho  1
Affiliations

Commercial bee pollen with different geographical origins: a comprehensive approach

Carla Nogueira et al. Int J Mol Sci. 2012.

Abstract

Since the primordial of humanity, pollen has been considered a good source of nutrients and energy. Its promising healing properties have also been referred to. The present study aimed to characterize, for the first time, eight commercial pollens from Portugal and Spain available on the market studying the legislation on labeling, pollinic origin, physicochemical and microbiological analyses and identification of yeasts. Eleven botanical families were found amongst the samples. The most abundant family and the most dominant pollen was Cistaceae. The moisture content, ash, a(w), pH, reducing sugars, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and energy were analyzed and the specific parameters were within the specifications required by some countries with legislation regarding these parameters. Microbiologically commercial pollen showed acceptable safety for the commercial quality and hygiene. All samples showed negative results for toxigenic species. The microorganisms studied were aerobic mesophiles, yeasts and moulds, coliforms, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella and sulfite-reducing Clostridium. During the work, six yeasts species were isolated from pollen, with Rhodotorula mucilaginosa being the most abundant, as it was present in four samples.

Keywords: bee pollen; labeling rules; microbiological characterization; physicochemical characterization; pollinic analysis.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Percentage of the yeasts isolated from the samples.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Place of origin of the commercial bee pollen. The origin of Sample A was not specified in the labeling.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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