Abstract

Harvested bee pollen is valuable for its nutritional value and healthy properties. This work relates the botanical origin of sixteen bee pollens from Chile with their phenolic, protein and carotenoid content, and antioxidant/antibacterial activities. Our results showed that the chemical properties of different bee pollens are associated with the plant' species from which each one was derived from. Some correlations between chemical properties and botanical origin were observed. Bee pollen showed between 20.0-30.4% protein, 2.8-50.2 mg/kg carotenoids, 22.8-918.4 mg/kg phenolics, and 4.51-91.19 mmol Fe+2/kg pollen. Antibacterial activity was observed against all bacteria assayed even surpassing the activity of traditional antibiotics. Brassica sp. and Galega officinalis are an abundant source of antioxidants and antibacterial compounds. Other species such as those derived from fruit and endemic plants from Chile, although they occur less frequently, are also good source of these compounds. Some correlations between botanical origin and chemical, antioxidant and antibacterial properties were observed. Knowing the influence of plant species over the antioxidant or antibacterial properties of bee pollen, will allow selecting the best location for honeycombs and will allow beekeepers to differentiate and add value to their products.