A multivariate approach based on physicochemical parameters and biological potential for the botanical and geographical discrimination of Brazilian bee pollen. (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: De-Melo, Adriane Alexandre Machado; Estevinho, Leticia M.; Moreira, Manuela M.; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Freitas, Alex da Silva de; Barth, Ortrud Monika; Almeida-Muradian, Ligia Bicudo de
• Is Part Of: Food bioscience. Volume 25(2018)
• Page Start: 91
• Page End: 110
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: Bee products -- Chemical properties -- Colour -- Phenolic profile -- Minerals -- Chemometrics; Food -- Biotechnology -- Periodicals; Food -- Research -- Periodicals; Aliments -- Biotecnologia -- Revistes; Aliments -- Investigació -- Revistes; Food -- Biotechnology; Food -- Research; Revistes electròniques; Periodicals; 664.005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fbio.2018.08.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2212-4292

Abstract

Abstract: Fifty six Brazilian bee pollen samples were characterised, and their botanical and geographical origins were studied. The samples were also classified based on physicochemical and biological properties. The characterisation was done using Soxhlet extraction and micro-Kjeldahl methods, ashing at 550 °C, transmittance, microscopy, spectrophotometry, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography. As expected, the values of proteins (7.9–32.2 g/100 g), lipids (3.2–13.5 g/100 g), ash (1.9–3.6 g/100 g), carbohydrates (54.9–82.8 g/100 g), K (3.4–9.8 g/kg), Ca (0.9–4.1 g/kg), Mg (0.6–2.4 g/kg), Fe (46–1180 mg/kg), Na (20–374 mg/kg), Mn (25–215 mg/kg), Zn (30–101 mg/kg), Cu (7.4–19.7 mg/kg), total phenolics (6.5–29.2 mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (0.3–17.5 mg QE/g) as well as the phenolic profiles varied among the samples. In general, the products had high antioxidant capacity (ORAC: 133–563 μmol TE/g; DPPH: 9.4–155 μmol TE/g) and the antimicrobial capacity varied according to the sample and microorganism tested. The instrumental colour parameters could be used as indicators of some minerals. Based on multivariate approaches, bee pollen from Southern Brazil seemed to have a higher biological potential, whereas products from the Northeast region had higher calcium and magnesium levels. Similarities were identified in bee pollen containing C. nucifera or Brassica, and monofloral bee pollen seemed to have higher mineral content than heterofloral bee pollen. Highlights: Brazilian bee pollen could be a good source of some minerals. The antioxidant capacity of Brazilian bee pollen was higher than in some red fruits. Instrumental colour parameters could be used as indicators of some minerals. The composition of the samples varies according to the geographical origin. There are similarities in bee pollen containing specific pollen types.