Evaluation of antioxidant properties and determination of phenolic and carotenoid profiles of chestnut bee pollen collected from Turkey

Abstract

Honey products have become an important human dietary constituent because of their nutraceutical and pharmaceutical activities. Studies on honey products have increased to inform consumers. Therefore, the antioxidant properties and phenolic and carotenoid profiles of bee pollen collected from two different regions (Black Sea and Marmara) in Turkey were studied. The antioxidant properties of 16 chestnut bee pollens were evaluated by Folin–Ciocalteu (FC), ABTS, FRAP, and CHROMAC methods. The antioxidant profiles of chestnut bee pollen were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector. The main phenolic compounds (luteolin, hyperoside, vitexin, trans-chalcone, rosmarinic acid, pinocembrin, and chrysin) and the five carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, α-carotene and β-carotene) were determined in chestnut bee pollen quantitatively. Generally, the antioxidant properties of chestnut bee pollen were mainly dependent on geographical origin. This study suggests that chestnut bee pollen from Turkey should be examined for potential health benefits.

Keywords:

• Chestnut bee pollen
• HPLC-DAD
• phenolic compounds
• carotenoid
• antioxidant

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Scientific Research Projects Foundation (BAP) of the Bursa Uludag University of Turkey [Project No. OUAP (F)-2013/12] to support this study.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.