Bee pollen is a hive product that is collected from flowers by honeybees that transport it to the hive and pack in the honeycomb mixing with secretion from salivary glands and honey. It is characterized by its excellent bioactive and nutritional composition. Similar to honey and propolis, it has therapeutic properties containing about 250 substances including sugars, proteins, minerals, vitamins, lipids, and flavonoids. Depending on the season, bee species, vegetation, and the area of collection, the chemical composition of bee pollen are qualitatively and quantitatively variable. In this study, different extracts from bee pollen samples were characterized for antioxidant activities using DPPH (2 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assays and correlated with their phenolic content obtained using Folin-Ciocalteu assay. Results show variable antioxidant activities of the sampled bee pollens. It is also showed that the phenolic content of the bee pollen is related to its antioxidant activity.

Correlating phenol content with the antioxidant activity of various bee pollen samples

ACS Spring 2022

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