Türkiye'nin Şanlıurfa İlinde Satılan Arı Polenlerinin Mikrobiyolojik ve Fizikokimyasal Özelliklerinin Değerlendirilmesi

Öz

Arı poleni, zengin besin içeriği ve biyoaktif bileşenleri nedeniyle doğal bir gıda takviyesi olarak yaygın şekilde tüketilmektedir. Ancak herhangi bir işlem basamağından geçmeden doğrudan tüketilmesi, mikrobiyolojik güvenlik açısından halk sağlığı için potansiyel risk oluşturmaktadır. Bu çalışma, Şanlıurfa bölgesinde satışa sunulan arı polenlerinin mikrobiyolojik kalitesi ile bazı fizikokimyasal özelliklerini belirlemek amacıyla gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bu kapsamda, yerel aktarlardan ve arıcılık ürünleri satış noktalarında toplam 12 farklı arı poleni örneği analiz edilmiştir. Fizikokimyasal analizlerde pH, nem ve renk (CIE Lab*) değerleri standart analitik yöntemlerle belirlenmiştir. Mikrobiyolojik analizlerde toplam mezofilik aerobik bakteriler (TMAB), koliform bakteriler, Escherichia coli, Enterobacteriaceae, maya ve küf için sayımlar yapılmıştır. Ayrıca, E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes ve Staphylococcus aureus varlığı tespit etmek için analizler yapılmıştır. pH, nem ve renk (CIE Lab*) değerleri sırasıyla 4.24–5.33 (ortalama 4.91 ± 0.29), % 9.87–24.66 (ortalama 14.18 ± 4.40) ve L* 23.30 ± 4.27, a* 10.81 ± 3.30, b* 27.43 ± 7.44 olarak belirlenmiştir. Mikrobiyolojik analizlerde toplam mezofilik aerobik bakteri (TMAB) sayıları 4.38–5.28 log CFU/g, maya–küf sayıları 2.34–3.92 log CFU/g, koliform bakteriler 1.97–3.27 log CFU/g ve Enterobacteriaceae 1.73–4.23 log CFU/g aralığında tespit edilmiştir. E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., L. monocytogenes ve E. coli O157:H7 hiçbir örnekte belirlenmemiştir. Bu sonuçlar, arı polenlerinin patojen açısından güvenli olduğunu ancak bazı örneklerdeki küf gelişiminin mikotoksin riski oluşturabileceğini göstermektedir. Sonuç olarak, Şanlıurfa bölgesinde satışa sunulan arı polenlerinin genel kalite açısından uygun olduğu, ancak mikrobiyolojik açıdan dikkat gerektirdiği belirlenmiştir. Arı poleninin güvenli bir fonksiyonel gıda olarak değerlendirilebilmesi için üretim ve depolama süreçlerinde hijyen koşullarının iyileştirilmesi ve mikrobiyolojik kalite standartlarının oluşturulması gerekmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Arı poleni
• Mikrobiyolojik kalite
• Gıda güvenliği
• Şanlıurfa

Assessment of the Microbiological and Physicochemical Characteristics of Bee Pollen From Şanlıurfa Region, Türkiye

Abstract

Bee pollen is commonly consumed as a natural dietary supplement due to its rich nutritional content and bioactive components. However, consuming it directly without any processing steps can pose a potential risk to public health concerning microbiological safety. This study aimed to assess the microbiological quality and certain physicochemical properties of bee pollen available for sale in the Şanlıurfa region. In this context, a total of 12 different bee pollen samples were analyzed, collected from local herbalists and apiculture product sales outlets. In the physicochemical analyses, pH, moisture, and color (CIE Lab*) values were determined using standard analytical methods. For the microbiological analyses, counts were conducted for total mesophilic aerobic bacteria (TMAB), coliform bacteria, Escherichia coli, Enterobacteriaceae, yeast, and mold. Additionally, analyses were performed to detect the presence of E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus. The pH, moisture, and color (CIE Lab*) values were found to be 4.24–5.33 (average 4.91 ± 0.29), 9.87–24.66% (average 14.18 ± 4.40), and L* 23.30 ± 4.27, a* 10.81 ± 3.30, b* 27.43 ± 7.44, respectively. In the microbiological analyses, total mesophilic aerobic bacteria (TMAB) counts ranged from 4.38 to 5.28 log CFU/g, yeast–mold counts from 2.34 to 3.92 log CFU/g, coliform bacteria from 1.97 to 3.27 log CFU/g, and Enterobacteriaceae from 1.73 to 4.23 log CFU/g. E. coli, S. aureus, Salmonella spp., L. monocytogenes, and E. coli O157:H7 were not detected in any of the samples. These results indicate that bee pollen is safe in terms of pathogens, but mold development in some samples may pose a mycotoxin risk. In conclusion, it was determined that bee pollen sold in the Şanlıurfa region is generally of suitable quality but requires attention regarding microbiological safety. To consider bee pollen a safe functional food, it is necessary to improve hygiene conditions during production and storage processes and to establish microbiological quality standards.

Keywords

• Bee pollen
• Microbiological quality
• Food safety
• Şanlıurfa

Kaynakça

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