Chemical Composition of Bee Pollen
摘要
Bee pollen represents the main protein and lipid nutrient source in the hive. The chemical composition of this product depends on the botanical and geographical origin, and also the harvest time and processing conditions. The contents of carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, lipids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals are presented. Bioactivity of bee pollen is given by the presence of phenolic acids, flavonoids, and carotenoids as secondary metabolites of plants, and by the presence of different probiotics, namely different Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species. Due to the nutritional value and biological potential of bee pollen, numerous studies have been carried out in the last decades, with the aim of characterizing samples from different regions and botanical origins, seeking to identify particularities and those samples with high levels of certain compounds. In this chapter, the results of this research are presented, with the aim of bringing together the greatest quantity of information regarding the composition of bee pollen.