An evaluation on bee bread: Chemical and palynological analysis

Beebread is important protein source for honeybees in early spring. Chemical composition of beebread may vary according to geographical origin. In this study, proximate and fatty acids composition of five Citrus beebread samples were determined obtained from different geographical origins. Moisture content of citrus beebread samples varied between 11.0-16.4 %, ash 1.86-2.4 %, fat 7.0-13.4 %, and protein between 18.6-21.6 %. A total of thirty-seven fatty acids (FAs) were identified and of these palmitic, stearic, arachidic, oleic, eicosenoic, erucic, and linoleic acids were the most abundant in all of the samples. Beebread sample ratios of unsaturated/saturated FAs were ranged between 1.28 and 2.23 indicating that citrus beebread is a good source of unsaturated FAs. The pollen, proximate and fatty acid composition of beebread may vary significantly according to its geographical origin and citrus beebread is good source of unsaturated fatty acids.