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

Year 2024, Volume: 16 Issue: 2, 23 - 31, 31.12.2024

Teferi Damto

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

Ethical Statement

There are no ethical issues with the publication of this article.

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