Chemical and Mineral Composition of the Mono-floral Pollen of Honeybees (Apis mellifera) in Ethiopia

Abstract

This investigation aimed to investigate the chemical and mineral composition of pollen collected from Oromia, Ethiopia. The moisture level of analyzed pollen ranged from 10.3 ± 1.3% (Sesame indicum) to 17.3 ± 0.5% (Eucalyptus globules), the ash concentration ranged from 1.7 ± 0.3% (G. scabra) to 3.0 ± 0.5% (Brassica carinata), the protein content ranged from 16.3 ± 0.5% (G. scabra) to 24.9 ± 5.6% (Eucalyptus globules), the total dietary fiber ranged from 1.4 ± 0.7% (E. globules) to 2.6 ± 0.85% (B. carinata) and crude carbohydrate ranged from 54.1 ± 5.2 % (E. globules) to 69.1 ± 1.0% (G. scabra). Potassium and magnesium were the most prevalent minerals in bee-collected pollen samples. B. carinata pollen has the greatest calcium (Ca) (2321.3 ± 608.78 mg/kg) and magnesium (Mg) (1024.8 ± 19.9 mg/kg) concentrations compared to others. E. globules pollen had the greatest levels of potassium (K) (10596.9 ± 1610.1 mg/kg) and sodium (Na) (380.9 ± 95.9 mg/kg). Lead, a toxic element, was not detected in pollen samples from the study's site. Because of its botanical and geographic origins, bee pollen has a diverse nutritional composition. Results indicated that pollen is a useful food supplement for human nutrition due to its greater concentrations of essential components.

Keywords

• Chemical composition
• Honeybees
• Mineral
• Mono-floral pollen
• Ethiopia

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