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Wildflower habitats planted along field borders are a widely promoted strategy for supporting bees in agricultural landscapes. However, honeybees (Apis mellifera), which are often stocked at high densities in crop lands can compete with wild bees for pollen and nectar, potentially limiting the successfulness of wildflower plantings in supporting diverse bee communities. Using weekly samples of five study sites in Northern California we assessed how plants in pollinator‐friendly seed mixes varied in their ability to provide bees with abundant and nutritious pollen under intense honeybee competition. We quantified pollen production, protein and lipid content, and end‐of‐day pollen availability for different plant species. We also sampled bee visits to flowers and assessed the composition of pollen on bee bodies. Using these data, we investigate how the nutritional quality of pollen in wildflower plantings and honeybee abundance impacted native bee pollen nutrition. Bees collected more nutritious pollen (i.e. pollen with more protein) from plantings with more nutritious plant species (i.e. sites with more high‐protein plants). However, as honeybee abundance increased, the nutritional quality of native bee diets declined. We also detected important interactions between honeybee abundance and the nutritional quality of flowers in plantings, such that, for some bee taxa, there was no impact of competition on pollen diet quality in high‐nutrition plantings. Synthesis and applications: Our study reveals that honeybee competition can reduce the nutritional quality of native bee diets. From an applied conservation perspective, we therefore recommend that honeybee introductions in natural areas be approached with extreme caution. However, our results also suggest that high‐protein flower plantings could mitigate negative effects of honeybee competition in managed landscapes. Where simultaneous support of managed and wild bees is a key management objective, we recommend including high‐protein plant species in plant mixes to support diverse bee populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Practical Application Bee pollen is a nutrient‐rich super food, but its rigid dual‐layered structure limits nutrient release and absorption. The outer exine, composed of stress‐resistant sporopollenin, and the inner intine, consisting of cellulose and pectin, form a barrier to digestive breakdown. This study investigates the potential of green techniques, specifically supercritical fluid extraction and ultrasonication, to disaggregate pollen cell walls, enhancing its bioavailability and maximizing nutrient utilization. Ultrasonication treated pollen (USTP) and supercritical fluid extraction‐treated pollen (STP) demonstrated disruption, as evidenced by scanning electron microscopy imaging. In relation to scanning electron microscopy, techno‐functional, antioxidant, and compositional analysis displayed a positive outcome, with crude lipid, protein, antioxidant activity (2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl activity and 2,2′‐azino‐bis‐3‐ethylbenzthiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid assay) and total phenolic content increased by 34.80%, 32.58%, 10.80%, 11.37%, and 83.94%, respectively. Based on the above properties, USTP for 4 h and STP at 400 bar for 40 min were identified as the optimal conditions for disintegration. Furthermore, optimized samples analyzed for amino acid and mineral release revealed a notable increase in composition of essential amino acid and minerals (Ca, Cu, Fe, etc.) by ∼1.5 and 1.2 times, respectively. Along with significant changes in composition, fractured pollen exhibited 1.4 folds increase in protein digestibility with minor differences in thermal stability, and crystallinity as established by differential scanning calorimetry, and X‐ray diffraction analysis. The study confirms that nutrient release and absorption remain restricted without pre‐treatment, highlighting the necessity of specific treatment to disintegrate bee pollen before its use as a functional food ingredient.Bee pollen is a rich source of all the essential nutrients required by the humans and recognised as a complete food. However, its tough cellular structure restricts its utilisation in numerous food applications. Therefore, to disintegrate bee pollen and release its nutrients, ultrasonication and super critical fluid extraction processes were employed to improve its utilization for human purposes. Both the treatment techniques, enhanced bee pollen's bioavailability and functional properties, making it more suitable for use in nutraceuticals and functional foods.These treatments proved to increase the antioxidant capacity, digestibility, and create high‐value ingredient for supplements, beverages, and fortified foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Study investigates the physico- & phytochemical properties of bee pollen varieties. • Results confirmed high phenolics & high antioxidant activity of mustard bee pollen. • Health-promoting minerals were present, while toxic minerals (As, Pb) were absent. • Absence of toxic minerals confirms its aptness to be consumed as a functional food. • FTIR identified carbohydrates, protein functional groups, and phenolic compounds. In todayʼs health-conscious era, consumers are inclined towards value-added products that offer the option to substitute conventional food products with high-nutritional value components, thereby enhancing the quality of existing processed products. Bee Pollen is a suitable contender, which is a biologically active food ingredient comprising macronutrients, micronutrients, and phenolic compounds. It has been utilized in traditional medicine for its therapeutic properties including hepatoprotective and wound healing. This study aims to unveil the physicochemical, and phytochemical characteristics of two different varieties of bee pollen (viz. mustard and multifloral) in addition to the color, mineral, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The results indicate that mustard bee pollen (MSBP) possesses high moisture (15.33 ± 0.36 %), ash (4.3 ± 0.014 %), total phenol (2676 ± 0.58 mg GAE/100 g) and total flavonoid content (14.025 ± 0.25 mg QE/g) which is responsible for its high antioxidant activity (82.6 ± 0.54 %) as compared to multifloral bee pollen (MFBP). It was further confirmed from mineral analysis performed by using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) quantification procedure that health-promoting minerals like Ca, Mg, Fe, P, and Zn were present; whereas, the toxic minerals including As, Hg, Co, and Pb were absent in the pollen varieties under study. Moreover, FTIR allowed for the identification of stretching, bending, and vibrations associated with the numerous carbohydrates, protein functional groups as well as phenolic compounds. Therefore, the production of bee pollen can be scaled up to an industrial level due to its functional properties for utilization in food formulations, the pharmaceutical industry, and the nutraceutical sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Societal Impact Statement: The family Orchidaceae is renowned for its reliance on specialized pollinators and mycorrhizal symbioses. This study examined how the nonphotosynthetic orchid Gastrodia elata thrives on the dim forest floor, focusing on its pollination biology, particularly the chemical properties of pseudopollen and reproductive assurance mechanisms. It was found that G. elata mainly relies on Lasioglossum bees, attracted by its starch‐rich pseudopollen. Additionally, G. elata in the studied population can produce fruit through agamospermy (seeds from unfertilized ovules). Overall, the findings reveal that G. elata relies on fungi for nutrition and employs reproductive strategies such as mimicking pollen to attract bees and resorting to asexual reproduction when pollinators are scarce. Summary: Mycoheterotrophy is an adaptation that allows survival in environments with low irradiance and minimal competition from autotrophic plants. However, such environments can negatively impact bee pollination, as most bees prefer open habitats. Despite this, the mycoheterotrophic orchid Gastrodia elata is known to rely on Lasioglossum bees for pollination.We investigated the reproductive biology of G. elata to understand how it overcomes pollinator limitation. Our research focused on the chemical composition and anatomical basis of G. elata pseudopollen (a substance that mimics pollen and may facilitate pollination), based on micromorphological and nutritional analyses, as well as observations of pollinator behavior. Additionally, we explored the potential presence of autogamy or agamospermy as mechanisms for reproductive assurance.The pseudopollen in G. elata originates from the disintegration of the adaxial parenchymatous tissue of the callus and is rich in starch. This contrasts with pseudopollen in most orchids, which typically originates from lip hairs and whose potential attractant is protein. Lasioglossum bees pollinating G. elata visit multiple flowers and actively collect pseudopollen. Furthermore, agamospermy serves as a reproductive safeguard in shaded habitats where insect‐mediated pollination is infrequent, at least in the investigated population.Our findings suggest that Gastrodia elata pseudopollen plays an important role in enhancing insect‐mediated pollination, particularly in relatively open habitats, while agamospermy ensures fruit set in shaded environments of the investigated population. Both pseudopollen production and agamospermy likely help overcome the pollination constraints posed by the mycoheterotrophic lifestyle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beehive products, particularly pollen, are among the foodstuffs that may contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), prompting concern due to their negative effects on humans, such as hepatotoxic potential. Based on these aspects, this study represents the first investigation into eight PAs present in samples of bee bread (n = 16) and commercial pollens (n = 15) from Brazil utilizing liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry in tandem. Our findings showed the presence of at least two PAs in all samples analyzed (n = 31), with monocrotaline, senecionine, senecionine N-oxide, and retrorsine emerging as the most frequently abundant in the Brazilian samples. The PAs sum varied widely (from 268 to 263,849 µg kg−1), with 77.4% of the samples exceeding the maximum limit established by the European Union (500 µg kg−1). Therefore, this study demonstrates that bee pollen and bee bread are foods with high levels of PAs and highlights that further studies related to PAs and beehive products are necessary so that actions are taken to minimize risks to consumers and safeguard the beekeeping industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bee pollen is recognized as a superfood due to its high content of nutrients and bioactive compounds. However, its bioavailability is restricted by a degradation-resistant outer layer known as exine. Physical and biotechnological techniques have recently been developed to degrade this layer and improve pollen's nutritional and functional profile. This review examines how processing methods such as fermentation, enzymatic hydrolysis, ultrasound, and drying affect pollen's chemical profile, nutrient content, and bioactive compounds. The review also considers changes in exine structure and possible synergistic effects between these methods. In addition, the challenges associated with the commercialization of processed bee pollen are examined, including issues such as product standardization, stability during storage, and market acceptance. The objective was to provide an understanding of the efficacy of these techniques, their physicochemical conditions, and their effect on the nutritional value of the pollen. The work also analyzes whether pollen transformation is necessary to maximize its benefits and offers conclusions based on the analysis of available methods, helping to determine whether pollen transformation is a valid strategy for inclusion in functional foods and its impact on consumer health. Although the literature reports that pollen transformation influences its final quality, further studies are needed to demonstrate the need for pollen exine modification, which could lead to greater market availability of pollen-based products with functional properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the effect of diet supplementation with a symbiotic (SY), bee pollen (BP), honey bee (HB), date palm pollen (DPP) and their mixture (MIX) on female rabbit productive and reproductive performances under desert hot climates. Seventy-two Californian does of 5 months age and average body weight of 3250 ± 78.2 g were randomly allotted into six groups, each of 12 does. All does orally receive 3 ml distilled water for 10 days before mating and 28 days during pregnancy. Treatments were repeated for four consecutive parities. The first group served as control (C) given distilled water only, however the second, third, fourth and fifth groups were supplemented with 3 ml distilled water containing 0.2 ml SY, 200 mg DPP, 200 mg BP, 0.2 ml HB/doe per day, respectively. While, the sixth group does were given all previous ingredients (MIX). Sexual receptivity rate, fertility rate, kindling rate, and newborn traits were recorded. Also, maternal feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and digestibility coefficients of nutrients were recorded. Does in all groups were artificially inseminated with 0.5 ml of fresh heterospermic semen of 15 fertile bucks extended in Tris at 806–1006 sperm/ml. Treatment increased maternal body weight and daily gain with highest values (P < 0.05) in BP, SY, and MIX does. All treatments enhanced feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared with control. Number services per conception decreased (P < 0.01), while litter size and weight and survival at birth and weaning increased (P < 0.01) in treated than control does. Treated does produced more milk than control. Digestibility coefficients of all nutrients were improved (P < 0.01) in treated does. In conclusion, supporting rabbit does pre- and during pregnancy with diets supplemented with a mixture of honey bee, date palm pollen, bee pollen, and synbiotic improves the productive and reproductive performances of rabbit does and their offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honey bees are often exposed to a variety of contaminants, including pesticides from agricultural use. The aim of this study was to investigate the temporal entry of pesticides into the hive by examining the seasonal timing of honey bees bringing pesticide-contaminated pollen into their colonies and the subsequent accumulation of these pesticides in beeswax. Pollen and beeswax samples were collected biweekly from five colonies situated in an agricultural environment in Switzerland. In pollen, 23 pesticides (out of 50) were quantified, including 4 insecticides, 4 herbicides, 12 fungicides, a transformation product, an acaricide, and a synergist. The maximal insecticide concentration levels measured in individual pollen samples were 69.4 μg/kg (thiacloprid), 48.3 μg/kg (acetamiprid), 13.8 μg/kg (spinosad), and 11.1 μg/kg (indoxacarb), while fungicide levels ranged up to 2212.7 μg/kg (cyprodinil), and herbicides were up to 71.9 μg/kg (prosulfocarb). Eighteen of the pesticides found in pollen were also quantifiable in beeswax. Among these were 17 lipophilic pesticides with logarithmic octanol water coefficients (log Kow) equal or above 2.5, which showed similar temporal profiles and order of accumulation magnitude as in pollen. For example, maximal concentrations measured in individual beeswax samples were 12.4 μg/kg for indoxacarb (insecticide), 986.4 μg/kg for cyprodinil (fungicide), and 21.6 μg/kg for prosulfocarb (herbicide). Furthermore, pesticides with log Kow between 2.5 and 7.0 remained in the beeswax during wax purification. Our study shows that a large variety of pesticides brought into the hive through pollen potentially stay in the beeswax during recycling, thus constantly exposing honey bees to pesticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bee pollen is produced by collecting pollen grains from flowers in addition to the salivary secretions of the Apis bee. The objective of this work was to analyze the chemical constituents of monofloral bee pollen from Mimosa pudica L (sensitiva) and its free radical-scavenging activity. Four samples collected in the municipality of Nilo Peçanha, Bahia, Northeastern Brazil were submitted to palynological analysis, determination of the polyphenolic profile by ultra-efficient liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detector and quadrupolar mass spectrometry with flight time, total phenolics, mineral content, and antiradical activity (DPPH• e ABTS•+). Sixty-two compounds were identified, including 1 disaccharide, 7 flavonoids, 15 hydroxycinnamic acid amide derivatives, and 39 lipids derivatives. The predominant minerals were magnesium followed by potassium, sodium, and calcium. The samples presented antiradical activity, being this activity related to the phenolic compounds. M. pudica bee pollen is an important source of minerals and compounds with antioxidant potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Commercially cultivated Prunus species are commonly grown in adjacent or mixed orchards and can be infected with unique or commonly shared viruses. Apple (Malus domestica), another member of the Rosacea and distantly related to Prunus, can share the same growing regions and common pathogens. Pollen can be a major route for virus transmission, and analysis of the pollen virome in tree fruit orchards can provide insights into these virus pathogen complexes from mixed production sites. Commercial honey bee (Apis mellifera) pollination is essential for improved fruit sets and yields in tree fruit production systems. To better understand the pollen-associated virome in tree fruits, metagenomics-based detection of plant viruses was employed on bee and pollen samples collected at four time points during the peak bloom period of apricot, cherry, peach, and apple trees at one orchard site. Twenty-one unique viruses were detected in samples collected during tree fruit blooms, including prune dwarf virus (PDV) and prunus necrotic ringspot virus (PNRSV) (Genus Ilarvirus, family Bromoviridae), Secoviridae family members tomato ringspot virus (genus Nepovirus), tobacco ringspot virus (genus Nepovirus), prunus virus F (genus Fabavirus), and Betaflexiviridae family member cherry virus A (CVA; genus Capillovirus). Viruses were also identified in composite leaf and flower samples to compare the pollen virome with the virome associated with vegetative tissues. At all four time points, a greater diversity of viruses was detected in the bee and pollen samples. Finally, the nucleotide sequence diversity of the coat protein regions of CVA, PDV, and PNRSV was profiled from this site, demonstrating a wide range of sequence diversity in pollen samples from this site. These results demonstrate the benefits of area-wide monitoring through bee pollination activities and provide new insights into the diversity of viruses in tree fruit pollination ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing atmospheric CO2 levels change the elemental composition in plants, altering their nutritional quality and affecting consumers and ecosystems. Ecological stoichiometry provides a framework for investigating how CO2-driven nutrient dilution in pollen affects bees by linking changes in pollen chemical element proportions to the nutritional needs of bees. We investigated the consequences of five years of Free Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) in a mature oak-dominated temperate forest on the elemental composition of English oak (Quercus robur) pollen. We measured the concentrations and proportions of 12 elements (C, N, P, S, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn) in Q. robur pollen-bearing flowers collected from the Birmingham Institute for Forest Research (BIFoR) FACE facility. An elevated CO2 (eCO2) level of 150 ppm above ambient significantly reduced the S, K, and Fe levels and altered the multi-element ratio, with different elements behaving differently. This shift in pollen multi-element composition may have subsequent cascading effects on higher trophic levels. To assess the impact on bees, we calculated the stoichiometric mismatch (a measure of the discrepancy between consumer needs and food quality) for two bee species, Osmia bicornis (red mason bee) and Apis mellifera (honey bee), that consume oak pollen in nature. We observed stoichiometric mismatches for P and S, in pollen under eCO2, which could negatively affect bees. We highlight the need for a comprehensive understanding of the changes in pollen multi-element stoichiometry under eCO2, which leads to nutrient limitations under climate change with consequences for bees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In agriculture, plant protection products are used to improve crop yields. They pose a threat to organisms that are not the target of their control. For this purpose, biopesticides have been used, which are supposed to show less toxicity to the environment and non-targeted organisms. On the other hand, natural pesticides can also show toxicity to insects. The honey bee is one of the insects that is still exposed to contact with residues of plant protection products, which poses a threat to this organism. Honey bees use pollen and nectar from flowers to produce food. Because they often forage on crops, they are at risk of being exposed to plant protection products (PPPs), both directly and in stored food. Due to the adverse effects of synthetic PPPs on pollinators, biopesticides may be a viable alternative. Common tansy extract is used as one of the natural substitutes for synthetic pesticides. In our study, the effect of fermented common tansy extract on aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP) activity and the concentration of triglycerides (TGs), total protein (TP), total antioxidant status (TAS), and glucose in honey bee workers' hemolymph was assessed. These biochemical markers give valuable information about the immunity, detoxification, and nutrition of a bee's body. Caged bees were given tansy extract added at various concentrations in sugar syrup for 24 h. Then, they were provided with only sugar syrup. After 7 days of the experiment, hemolymph was collected and analyzed. We observed changes in the activity of AST, ALT, GGTP enzymes and TG, TP, and glucose levels, but not all changes were statistically significant. In terms of AST activity, statistically significant differences were found. All groups tested, including the negative control group, showed reduced enzyme activity values compared to the positive control group. In TG concentration, differences were observed between the groups receiving 2% extract and 1% ethanol. Glucose levels differed between the groups receiving 1% extract and 2% extract and between the positive control group and 1% extract. Bee body proper functioning is affected by changes in enzyme activity, especially those responsible for immunity and detoxification, such as AST, ALT, ALP, and GGTP. Despite the short time of bees' exposure to the agent, the results of study show visible effects. Our results provide a basis for further research on the impact of tansy extract on honey bees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bee bread is a value-added apiculture product produced from bee pollen by mixed lactic acid fermentation. Although many studies focused on the bioactive components and health effects of the bee bread, there is no study concerned with understanding its moisture adsorption properties. Herein, it was aimed to evaluate moisture adsorption properties and thermodynamics of bee bread using different sorption models at 25 and 35 °C. The water adsorption of bee bread had Type II characteristics, and the monolayer moisture content was calculated with BET, GAB, and Caurie models between 3.58 and 5.80 g/100 g. The Peleg and Caurie models ensured better prediction for adsorption. The stability of bee bread was high at 25 °C according to the smaller ratio of Type III to Type II-bound water. The entropy of adsorption was 16.01–25.78 kJ/mol.K and it decreased with the moisture adsorption. Besides, the moisture adsorption needs external energy from the environment because of ∆G > 0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Female solitary bees collect pollen for their brood at the expense of using sugars in the nectar as fuel for flight. When flowers provide both pollen and nectar, solitary bees can refuel from the flowers to sustain pollen foraging. However, not all flowers provide both pollen and nectar. This study investigates how females of the solitary bee Andrena taraxaci orienticola secure fuel to sustain pollen foraging when flowers provide scarce nectar. By using DNA barcoding, we identified the Japanese dandelion Taraxacum platycarpum as their primary food source. This dandelion produces almost no nectar in the early morning when female bees collect almost no nectar but collect substantial amounts of pollen. We also found that these bees leave the nest with significantly more nectar at the first flight of the day than at later flights. When we restricted their fuel load by preventing nectar feeding, significantly more females failed to collect pollen on the first flight of the following day. These results suggest females hold back some part of the nectar collected at the end of a day's foraging and use it the following morning as fuel to sustain pollen foraging from flowers providing little nectar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This analysis investigates the widespread use of solar drying methods and designs in developing countries, particularly for agricultural products like fruits, vegetables, and bee pollen. Traditional techniques like hot air oven drying and open sun drying have drawbacks, including nutrient loss and exposure to harmful particles. Solar and thermal drying are viewed as sustainable solutions because they rely on renewable resources. The article highlights the advantages of solar drying, including waste reduction, increased productivity, and improved pricing. It is also cost-effective and energy-efficient. The review study provides an overview of different solar drying systems and technologies used in poor nations, aiming to identify the most effective and efficient designs. The focus is on comparing current models of solar dryers for optimal performance. The review underscores the importance of solar drying as a long-term, eco-friendly approach to drying food in developing countries. This review aims to evaluate how using solar-powered drying techniques can enhance food preservation, minimize waste, and enhance the quality and marketability of agricultural goods. The paper will specifically focus on examining the efficacy of these methods for drying bee pollen and pinpointing where enhancements can be made in their advancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aimed to investigate the antioxidant activity of buckwheat bee pollen polysaccharides (BWPP) during the in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. The crude polysaccharides were purified using DEAE-52 cellulose column and their antioxidant activity during in vitro simulated gastric and intestinal digestion was studied. The results showed that after purification by DEAE-52 cellulose column chromatography, the highest total sugar content component BWPP-1 was obtained, which was mainly composed of Glc, Xyl, Ara, etc. The infrared spectrum showed that BWPP-1 had obvious polysaccharide characteristic absorption peaks. During the simulated in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, the ABTS+· scavenging rates of BWPP and BWPP-1 reached their maximum values at 60 minutes of simulated gastric juice digestion, which were 86.39%±1.28% and 90.38%±2.78%, respectively. There was a significant difference compared to other digestion times (P<0.05). The DPPH· clearance rates reached their maximum values at 60 minutes, which were 86.86%±0.11% and 89.58%±1.67%, respectively, and the difference between the two was not significant (P>0.05). When simulating intestinal digestion, the maximum clearance rates of ABTS+· by BWPP and BWPP-1 reached 88.67%±0.40% and 91.82%±2.77% at 60 minutes, and the difference between the two was not significant (P>0.05). The DPPH· scavenging rates reached their peak values at 240 minutes of 57.11%±0.06% and 65.67%±3.67%, with significant difference (P<0.05). During the digestion process, the ability to reduce iron ions was relatively weak. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that BWPP and BWPP-1 have good ABTS+· and DPPH· scavenging abilities, and the DPPH· scavenging ability during gastric digestion is slightly higher than that during intestinal digestion, while the ABTS+· scavenging ability during intestinal digestion is slightly higher than that during gastric digestion. This study provides a theoretical basis for the development of functional products based on buckwheat bee pollen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adulteration of food products is a serious problem in the current economy. Honey has become the third most counterfeit food product in the world and requires effective authentication methods. This article presents a new approach to the differentiation of bee pollen, which can support the development of a methodology to test honey quality based on the analysis of bee pollen. The proposed method is built on applying the Hjorth descriptors—Activity, Mobility, and Complexity—known from electroencephalography (EEG) analysis, for 2D bee pollen images. The sources for extracting the bee pollen images were the photos of honey samples, which were taken using a digital camera with a resolution of 5 megapixels connected to the tube of an optical microscope. The honey samples used were prepared according to the Polish standard PN-88/A-77626 (related to the European standard CELEX-32001L0110-PL-TXT). The effectiveness of the proposed method was positively verified for three selected groups of bee pollen—Brassica napus, Helianthus, and Phacelia—containing 35 images. Statistical analysis confirms the ability of the Hjorth descriptors to differentiate the indicated bee pollen groups. Based on the results obtained, there is a significant difference between the bee pollen groups under consideration regarding Activity p < 0.00001 , Mobility p < 0.0001 , and Complexity p < 0.00001 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analysis of trapped honey bee pollen for pesticide residues is the most widely used method of monitoring the amount of pesticide entering colonies and its change over time. In this study, we collected and analyzed pollen from 70 sites across four bee-pollinated crops over two years to characterize the variation in pesticide detection across sites, crops and at different periods during bloom. Hazard Quotient, HQ, is the most common way that pesticide residues are aggregated into a single pesticide hazard value in the current literature. Therefore, change in pesticide hazard (HQ) was quantified in composite pollen samples collected from pollen traps and in pollen color subsamples separated into pollen from the target crop being pollinated and pollen from other plant species. We used our estimates of the variation in HQ to calculate the number of sample location sites needed to detect a 5% annual change in HQ across all crops or within specific crops over a 5-year period. The number of sites required to be sampled varied by crop and year and ranged between 139 and 7194 sites, costing an estimated $129,548 and $3.35 million, respectively. The HQ values detectable for this cost would be 575 and 154. We identified additional factors that complicate the interpretation of the results as a way to evaluate changes in pest management practices at a state level. First, in all but one crop (meadowfoam), the pollen collected from outside the crop honey bee colonies were pollinating comprised a major percentage of the total pollen catch. Moreover, we found that when the overall quantity of pollen from different pollen sources was taken into account, differences in HQ among crops widened. We also found that while HQ estimates remain consistent across the bloom period for some crops, such as cherry, we observed large differences in other crops, notably meadowfoam. Overall, our results suggest the current practice of interpreting pesticides levels in pollen may come with limitations for agencies charged with improving pesticide stewardship due to the high variation associated with HQ values over time and across crops. Despite the limitations of HQ for detecting change in pesticide hazard, there remains a potential for HQ to provide feedback to regulators and scientists on field-realistic pesticide hazard within a landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intense physical activity is known to generate high levels of oxidative stress, and supplementation with bioactive products with powerful antioxidant effects is often recommended. In this context, the present study aims to evaluate the potential benefits of supplementing the diet of professional combat fighters with a new bioactive formulation based on Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry) and bee pollen, a natural combination with a balanced ratio of macro- and micronutrients, rich in proteins and polyphenols. Methods: A total of 31 professional combat fighters were selected to participate in this study. Due to allergic medical history, two were excluded, and the remaining 29 were divided into two groups: 14 in the control and 15 in the supplementation group. The supplemented group consumed daily 40 g of novel supplement based on a combination of dried black chokeberry and bee pollen (1:2 ratio) for 4 weeks. Results: A statistically significant increase in plasma antioxidant capacity was observed in the supplemented group compared to control related to the time and group factors at the end of this study. During this study, a significant increase in neutrophils was recorded in both groups. Supplementation with black chokeberry and bee pollen generated no significant modifications in inflammatory markers, body composition, glycemia, maximum aerobic capacity, blood glycemia, hemoglobin or red cell line. Conclusion: This clinical study pointed out a positive result in terms of plasma antioxidant capacity upon administration of the novel nutraceutical formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bee pollen is a complex compound formed by the honey bee through a mixture pollen, nectar, and bee saliva. It contains many elements that have importance for the human biochemical process. However, when the content of minerals in the pollen exceeds the biological limit, it can be toxic to health. This study aimed to assess and identify the presence of 16 essential (potassium [K], phosphorus [P], calcium [Ca], magnesium [Mg], sodium [Na], iron [Fe], silicon [Si], manganese [Mn], zinc [Zn], boron [B], copper [Cu], molybdenum [Mo], nickel [Ni], chromium [Cr], selenium [Se], and cobalt [Co]) and 16 nonessential elements (aluminum [Al], beryllium [Be], barium [Ba], arsenic [As], cadmium [Cd], mercury [Hg], thallium [Tl], lithium [Li], antimony [Sb], vanadium [V], lead [Pb], rubidium [Rb], strontium [Sr], cesium [Cs], titanium [Ti], and uranium [U]) in bee pollen samples from different floral sources in Turkey, while also evaluating the noncarcinogenic risks associated with bee pollen. A melissopalynological investigation was conducted to identify the plant origins of the bee pollen samples. Thereafter, the levels of 32 elements in bee pollen samples were quantified using inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS). Finally, calculations were performed to determine the recommended dietary allowance percentage (RDA%), estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and hazard index (HI). The bee pollen samples had varying levels of macro, trace, and ultratrace elements, with K, P, Ca, Mg, and Na being the most abundant macro elements and Ti, Ba, Ni, Cr, and V being the least abundant ultratrace elements. The RDA% values for essential elements in bee pollen were found to vary, with Cu, Zn, Fe, and Cr having the highest levels. The results of the THQ and HI calculations demonstrated that consuming bee pollen at recommended rates did not pose a risk to the health of adults or children. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:1575–1585. © 2023 SETAC Key Points: Bee pollen contains varying levels of macro, trace, and ultratrace elements.Bee pollen offers a natural source of essential nutrients for human health, including potassium (K), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), selenium (Se), and molybdenum (Mo).Comparing estimated daily intake values for bee pollen elements with the reference dose (RfD) values suggested no health risk for both adults and children.A health risk assessment (target hazard quotient and hazard index) indicates bee pollen consumption is safe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honeybees and hive products could be used as bioindicators of pesticide exposure in surrounding areas, but the associations have rarely been examined. We collected samples of bees, hive products and environmental dust from 12 apiaries during the blooming season in eastern Taiwan and assessed the relationships between pesticides in apiarian samples and the environment. Samples were analyzed for 14 pesticides using gas or liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Sick bees, dead bees, bee pollen, beeswax and environmental dust in the outer rings (>150 m) surrounding the apiaries were contaminated with high levels of pesticides (mean concentration: >270 ng/g in total). In terms of concentrations of all pesticides, insecticides, herbicides and fungicides, most apiarian sample matrices were significantly correlated with environmental dust within a range of 2.5 km (ρ > 0.6, p < 0.05), suggesting their potential as bioindicators. Of those apiarian matrices with high contamination contents, dead bees or beeswax may be a good bioindicator for all pesticides but not for herbicides, because of the insignificant correlation with environmental dust (ρ < 0.5). For all types of pesticides, we recommend sick bees and bee pollen as choices for bioindicators, because of their high contamination levels for detection and complete representativeness of the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an editorial commentary on a special issue titled "Antioxidant Therapy for Cardiovascular Diseases." The issue features cutting-edge studies that explore the relationship between oxidative stress, inflammation, and cardiovascular pathology, as well as innovative antioxidant strategies for improving patient outcomes. The studies highlight the potential of targeting oxidative stress at the molecular level to alleviate cardiovascular complications in hypertensive patients, the cardioprotective properties of dihydromyricetin in diabetic cardiomyopathy, the value of redox-related biomarkers in predicting cardiovascular events and mortality, the role of phosphate transporters in vascular calcification, and the effects of lotus bee pollen extract on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. The studies also emphasize the importance of inflammation and sirtuins in cardiovascular health, the role of selenium in redox modulation, and the need for personalized medicine in cardiovascular health management. The document concludes by stating that personalized approaches to antioxidant therapy will shape the future of cardiovascular medicine and highlights the potential for translating these findings into clinical practice. [Extracted from the article]

In this study, the antibacterial activity of environmentally friendly synthesized 2D copper oxide nanoleaves (Cu2O NLs) on ceramic glazes and photocatalytic activity against methylene blue (MB) dye was investigated. The SPR band of biogenic Cu2O NLs was observed between 200–300 nm. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed that the Cu2O NLs were in a nanoleaves structure and had a particle size of 42.04 nm. In order to determine the antibacterial activity of the synthesized Cu2O NLs in ceramic structures, NLs were added to the transparent glaze recipe used in tableware. The antibacterial properties of the test mixture were then examined against the gram (+) and gram (-) bacteria. In addition, the photodegradation rate of Cu2O NLs against MB dye was found to be 68% after 90 min. Experimental results of Cu2O NLs synthesized with environmentally friendly have shown that they can have potential applications in the ceramic industry and water treatment systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the effect of botanical and geographical differences on the protein, minerals, total phenolic content and the antioxidant activity of bee pollen collected from five districts in West Shewa Zone, Ethiopia. Pollens of Guizotia sp., Brassica sp., Trifolium sp., Eucalyptus sp., Plantago lanceolata and Vicia faba were color-sorted from multifloral pollens and subjected to chemical analysis. The results revealed the mean content of moisture 10.6% of fresh weight (FW), protein 19.4% of dry weight (DW) and ash 2.4% (DW); the most dominant minerals, K (9765.6), Ca (963.4), Mg (960.5), Fe (142.8) and P (126.5) in mg/kg DW. The average of the total phenolic content (TPC) and the antioxidant activity (DPPH radical) were 40.3 GAE mg/g FW and 13.7 AAE mg/g FW (gallic and ascorbic acid equivalent, respectively). V. faba pollen had the highest protein, ash, P and Cu content. Four pollen taxa had the highest Ca values, while multifloral pollens contained the highest Fe content. The samples from Ejere had the highest ash, Ca, Na and Cu content. The results showed a high content of the tested chemicals and a strong antioxidant capacity of bee pollen, varying with botanical and geographical origins. These findings would also serve as inputs for further assessment of the nutritional values of pollen for honey bee colonies and potential human consumption. However, comprehensive chemical investigations of larger number of samples representing diversified flora and locations are crucial to developing a broad regional information base on the nutritional profile of bee pollen.

Natural products of bee origin, despite their complex composition and difficulties in standardization, have been of high interest among scientists representing various disciplines from basic sciences to industrial and practical implementation. As long as their use is monitored and they do not impact human health, they can be considered valuable sources of many chemical compounds and are potentially useful in medicine, food processing, nutrition, etc. However, apart from honey, the general turnover of bee products lacks precise and detailed legal requirements ensuring their quality. The different residues in these products constitute a problem, which has been reported in numerous studies. All products derived from beekeeping are made by bees, but they are also influenced by the environment. Such a dual pathway requires detailed surveillance of hazards stemming from outside and inside the apiary. This should be ensured via harmonized requirements arising from the binding legal acts, especially in international and intercontinental trade zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have provided new insights into the role of the microbiome in shaping host behavior. However, the relationship between the temporal division of labor among honey bees (Apis mellifera) and their gut microbial community has not been widely studied. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the link between the gut microbiome and division of labor in honey bees by examining the microbial absolute abundance and relative composition of 7‐day‐old nurse bees and 28‐day‐old forager bees from a natural hive, as well as those of worker bees of the same 14‐day‐old age showing different behaviors in a manipulated hive. We found that forager bees had fewer core bacteria, particularly gram‐positive fermentative genera such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, with Bifidobacterium asteroides being the most sensitive to host behavioral tasks. Our results showed that forager bees have lower gut community stability compared to nurse bees, suggesting that their gut community is more susceptible to invasion by non‐core members. Furthermore, a pollen limitation experiment using caged honey bees indicated that dietary changes during behavioral shifts may be a driving factor in honey bee microbial diversity. This study contributes to a greater understanding of the interaction between the gut microbiome and behavioral tasks and provides a foundation for future assays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bee products, abundant in bioactive ingredients, have been utilized in both traditional and contemporary medicine. Their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties make them valuable for food, preservation, and cosmetics applications. Honeybees are a vast reservoir of potentially beneficial products such as honey, bee pollen, bee bread, beeswax, bee venom, and royal jelly. These products are rich in metabolites vital to human health, including proteins, amino acids, peptides, enzymes, sugars, vitamins, polyphenols, flavonoids, and minerals. The advancement of nanotechnology has led to a continuous search for new natural sources that can facilitate the easy, low-cost, and eco-friendly synthesis of nanomaterials. Nanoparticles (NPs) are actively synthesized using honeybee products, which serve dual purposes in preventive and interceptive treatment strategies due to their richness in essential metabolites. This review aims to highlight the potential role of bee products in this line and their applications as catalysts and food preservatives and to point out their anticancer, antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant underlying impacts. The research used several online databases, namely Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Sci Finder. The overall findings suggest that these bee-derived substances exhibit remarkable properties, making them promising candidates for the economical and eco-friendly production of NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollinators are essential for maintaining sustainable crop production, while the decline of pollinators is a widespread concern. Agricultural intensification is one of the primary drivers of the decline of insect pollinators. Agricultural intensification usually involves a decreasing of non‐crop semi‐natural habitat and an increasing of pesticide exposure for pollinators. However, causal links between agricultural intensification, increased pesticide exposure, and reduced pollinator's food sources and pollinator diversity remain underexplored.We assessed pollinator diversity across a landscape gradient where the proportion of rice ranged from 11% to 85% in South China. We placed honeybee (Apis mellifera) and mason bee (Osmia excavata) in these landscapes and investigated pesticide exposure in honeybee foragers and pollen, and in mason bee pollen and nesting materials. We also assessed the acquisition of food by mason bees.We found a higher frequency of pesticide detection in honeybee foragers and honeybee pollen samples in areas with a higher proportion of rice fields. There was a strong positive relationship between mason bee food acquisition and the proportion of semi‐natural habitats, while no significant effects of pesticide exposure on pollinator diversity were found in addition to the effect of semi‐natural habitat.Synthesis and applications: Our results suggest that pollinator communities could be at an increased risk of pesticide exposure due to intensified agriculture, while the negative impact on pollinator diversity mainly results from the loss of habitat and/or reduced food sources. This study highlights the importance of conserving semi‐natural habitat to mitigate the causes of decline in pollinator diversity. We also recommend long‐term, multi‐year studies to further understand the mechanisms behind the loss of pollinators in farming landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Working in lowbush blueberry fields, we studied how to provide a holistic measure of pesticide exposure to bees. Several different taxa of bees can be involved in blueberry pollination, including honey bees, bumble bees (which are native), and other native bees, such as mason, mining, and leafcutter bees. Using chemical analysis, we compared and contrasted samples from different sources to (1) measure pesticide exposure and (2) predict exposure risk in light of established levels of concern established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. We trapped honey bee pollen as foragers entered the hive and, within the three years of the study, found considerable similarity of these samples to treated flowers; the measures were the number and concentration of pesticide residues, as well as the predicted level of risk. We found differences among two or three of these measures when comparing trapped honey bee pollen and trapped mason bee pollen, as well as between trapped honey bee pollen and whole bodies of captured honey bees. In these comparisons, the number of residues detected in honey bee pollen was typically greater, as was the estimated risk. The residues found when comparing whole body analysis of honey bee workers, bumble bee queens, and other native bees showed similarity in total residue concentrations and risk, but there was a higher number of different residues detected on honey bees. This research complements another study (Part I) focused on honey bee pollen trapping in lowbush blueberry and cranberry. Both studies provide a toxicological baseline for pesticide residue exposure to pollinators in the lowbush blueberry agroecosystem. In lowbush blueberry fields, we conducted residue analysis comparing flowers, trapped pollen (honey bee and Osmia spp.), and collected bees (honey bee workers, bumble bee queens, and non-Bombus spp. wild native bees). The study was conducted from 2012 to 2014. The number of pesticide residues, total concentrations, and risk to honey bees (Risk Quotient) on flowers were not significantly different from those determined for trapped honey bee pollen (except in one study year when residues detected in flower samples were significantly lower than residue numbers detected in trapped pollen). The compositions of residues were similar on flowers and trapped pollen. The number of residues detected in honey bee pollen was significantly greater than the number detected in Osmia spp. pollen, while the total concentration of residue was not different between the two types of pollen. The risk to honey bees was higher in trapped honey bee pollen than in trapped Osmia spp. pollen. The analysis of honey bee workers, native bumble bee queens, and native solitary bees showed that although more pesticide residues were detected on honey bee workers, there were no differences among the bee taxa in total residue concentrations or risk (as estimated in terms of risk to honey bees). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The PPC contains a bunch of heteroatoms to narrow the polarization of material under high current density conditions. • The presence of PPC leads to the formation of NFVP nanoparticles and restrains the agglomeration of NFVP. • The NFVP/PPC composite displays an outstanding rate performance and cycle stability. Na super-ion conductor type material Na 3 V 2 (PO 4) 3 has been widely researched as the cathode of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) in recent years, but the unsatisfying cost of Na 3 V 2 (PO 4) 3 impedes its wide application in SIBs. In this study, iron element is used to replace part of vanadium in Na 3 V 2 (PO 4) 3 to reduce its expense, and pine pollen is applied for the first time as a very effective carbon source to improve the performance of Na 4 FeV(PO 4) 3. The fabricated composite material achieves a capacity of 105 mA h g−1 under 0.2 C and fascinating cycling stability over 94 % under 2 C for 500 cycles and 98 % under 10 C for 1000 cycles. The excellent cycle performance is caused by the involvement of pine pollen that acts as a carbon matrix to enhance the electron conductivity and block the agglomeration of active material effectively, thus the well-dispersed nano sized Na 4 FeV(PO 4) 3 shortens the diffusion path of sodium ion and gains a remarkable rate capability. Moreover, the distinguished reversibility during the charge and discharge procedures is ascribed also to the robust structure of Na 4 FeV(PO 4) 3. This work provides an efficient route to realize the economic cathode material of SIBs with good performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollen collected by pollinators can be used as a marker of the foraging behavior as well as indicate the botanical species present in each environment. Pollen intake is essential for pollinators' health and survival. During the foraging activity, some pollinators, such as honeybees, manipulate the collected pollen mixing it with salivary secretions and nectar (corbicular pollen) changing the pollen chemical profile. Different tools have been developed for the identification of the botanical origin of pollen, based on microscopy, spectrometry, or molecular markers. However, up to date, corbicular pollen has never been investigated. In our work, corbicular pollen from 5 regions with different climate conditions was collected during spring. Pollens were identified with microscopy-based techniques, and then analyzed in MALDI-MS. Four different chemical extraction solutions and two physical disruption methods were tested to achieve a MALDI-MS effective protocol. The best performance was obtained using a sonication disruption method after extraction with acetic acid or trifluoroacetic acid. Therefore, we propose a new rapid and reliable methodology for the identification of the botanical origin of the corbicular pollens using MALDI-MS. This new approach opens to a wide range of environmental studies spanning from plant biodiversity to ecosystem trophic interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: One of the major threats to the health status of honey bee colonies is presented by honey bee-associated viruses. Therefore, the detection and identification of viruses in bee colonies is an important step in the fight against them. In this study, we used a novel and non-invasive approach—molecular analysis of environmental RNA as a tool for detection of six of the most widespread viruses in honey bee colonies in bee products (pollen, bee bread, and royal jelly) from different regions in Bulgaria. The obtained results showed successful detection and identification of the Deformed wing virus, the Acute bee paralysis virus, the Black queen cell virus, and the Israeli acute paralysis virus in all the investigated bee products. Phylogenetic analysis of the detected Bulgarian isolates was implemented to reveal the phylogenetic relationships with the highly similar worldwide strains available in the GenBank database. Ultimately, honey bee products represent a valuable source of eRNA, which allows the monitoring of virus infections in bee colonies at local, regional, and even national levels. In the last few years, the isolation and amplification of DNA or RNA from the environment (eDNA/eRNA) has proven to be an alternative and non-invasive approach for molecular identification of pathogens and pests in beekeeping. We have recently demonstrated that bee pollen and bee bread represent suitable biological material for the molecular identification of viral RNA. In the present study, we extracted total RNA from different bee products (pollen, n = 25; bee bread, n = 17; and royal jelly, n = 15). All the samples were tested for the presence of six of the most common honey bee-associated viruses—Deformed wing virus (DWV), Acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV), Chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV), Sacbrood virus (SBV), Kashmir bee virus (KBV), and Black queen cell virus (BQCV)—using a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We successfully detected six records of DWV (10.5%, 6/57), four of ABPV (7.0%, 4/57), three of Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV) (5.3%, 3/57), and two of BQCV (3.5%, 2/57). Using ABPV primers, we also successfully detected the presence of IAPV. The obtained viral sequences were analyzed for phylogenetic relationships with the highly similar sequences (megablast) available in the GenBank database. The Bulgarian DWV isolates revealed a high homology level with strains from Syria and Turkey. Moreover, we successfully detected a DWV strain B for the first time in Bulgaria. In contrast to DWV, the ABPV isolates formed a separate clade in the phylogenetic tree. BQCV was closely grouped with Russian isolates, while Bulgarian IAPV formed its own clade and included a strain from China. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that eRNA can be successfully used for molecular detection of honey bee-associated viruses in bee products. The method can assist the monitoring of the health status of honey bee colonies at the local, regional, and even national levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) health is crucial for honey bee products and effective pollination, and it is closely associated with gut bacteria. Various factors such as reduced habitat, temperature, disease, and diet affect the health of honey bees by disturbing the homeostasis of the gut microbiota. In this study, high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to analyze the gut microbiota of honey bees subjected to seven diets over 5 days. Lactobacillus dominated the microbiota in all diets. Cage experiments (consumption, head protein content, and vitellogenin gene expression level) were conducted to verify the effect of the diet. Through a heatmap, the Diet2 (probiotic-supplemented) group was clustered together with the Beebread and honey group, showing high consumption (177.50 ± 26.16 mg/bee), moderately higher survival duration (29.00 ± 2.83 days), protein content in the head (312.62 ± 28.71 µg/mL), and diet digestibility (48.41 ± 1.90%). Additionally, we analyzed the correlation between gut microbiota and health-related indicators in honey bees fed each diet. Based on the overall results, we identified that probiotic-supplemented diets increased gut microbiota diversity and positively affected the overall health of individual honey bees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aging is a complex biological process characterized by a progressive decline in physical function and an increased risk of age-related chronic diseases. Additionally, oxidative stress is known to cause severe tissue damage and inflammation. Pollens from acorn and darae are extensively produced in Korea. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of these components under the conditions of inflammation and oxidative stress remain largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effect of bee pollen components on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages. This study demonstrates that acorn and darae significantly inhibit the LPS-induced production of inflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), in RAW 264.7 cells. Specifically, bee pollen from acorn reduces NO production by 69.23 ± 0.04% and PGE2 production by 44.16 ± 0.08%, while bee pollen from darae decreases NO production by 78.21 ± 0.06% and PGE2 production by 66.23 ± 0.1%. Furthermore, bee pollen from acorn and darae reduced active oxygen species (ROS) production by 47.01 ± 0.5% and 60 ± 0.9%, respectively. It increased the nuclear potential of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, treatment with acorn and darae abolished the nuclear potential of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and reduced the expression of extracellular signal-associated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Specifically, acorn decreased NF-κB nuclear potential by 90.01 ± 0.3%, ERK phosphorylation by 76.19 ± 1.1%, and JNK phosphorylation by 57.14 ± 1.2%. Similarly, darae reduced NF-κB nuclear potential by 92.21 ± 0.5%, ERK phosphorylation by 61.11 ± 0.8%, and JNK phosphorylation by 59.72 ± 1.12%. These results suggest that acorn and darae could be potential antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gut microbiota dysbiosis that often occurs in cancer therapy requires more efficient treatment options to be developed. In this concern, the present research approach is to develop drug delivery systems based on magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) as nanocarriers for bioactive compounds. First, MNPs were synthesized through the spraying-assisted coprecipitation method, followed by loading bee pollen or bee bread extracts and an antitumoral drug (5-fluorouracil/5-FU). The loaded-MNPs were morphologically and structurally characterized through transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and thermogravimetric analysis. UV-Vis spectroscopy was applied to establish the release profiles and antioxidant activity. Furthermore, the antibacterial and antitumoral activity of loaded-MNPs was assessed. The results demonstrate that MNPs with antioxidant, antibacterial, antiproliferative, and prebiotic properties are obtained. Moreover, the data highlight the improvement of 5-FU antibacterial activity by loading on the MNPs' surface and the synergistic effects between the anticancer drug and phenolic compounds (PCs). In addition, the prolonged release behavior of PCs for many hours (70–75 h) after the release of 5-FU from the developed nanocarriers is an advantage, at least from the point of view of the antioxidant activity of PCs. Considering the enhancement of L. rhamnosus MF9 growth and antitumoral activity, this study developed promising drug delivery alternatives for colorectal cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bee pollen's nutritional and beneficial health properties depend on the botanical origin and storage conditions. Palynological analysis determines the botanical composition of the multiflora and colour fractions. This study aimed to characterize the phytochemical profile and antioxidant activity of Tuscan bee pollen stored at freezing temperature for 2 years to verify the preservation of nutraceutical properties of the multiflora and colour fractions. Polyphenols, flavonoids content, antioxidant activity and volatile compounds profiles were measured. Non-terpene derivatives (acids and aldehydes) represented the main class of volatile compounds in most analysed samples. Among the colour fractions, coral showed significant differences in the antioxidant compounds. In the multiflora were also determined the soluble sugar content (128.33 mg/g of fresh weight) and mineral content, with the prevalence of K, organic N and Ca. The results suggest that the freezing storage of bee pollen for a long period can be still used as food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Declines in pollinating insects have been linked to changes in land cover, affecting the availability of nesting sites and floral resources. Our study is the first analysis of changes in pollen load composition of 2 mining bees, Andrena barbilabris (Kirby) and Andrena flavipes (Panzer) (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae), at the same sites in central England, over 75 years. This provides a unique opportunity to remove spatial variation and review temporal changes in pollen diet within the context of landscape change. We analyzed modern-day pollen load composition for these species and compared it with historical data from the same sites. We then examined potential links between land-use change and the bees' diets. Both bees showed dietary flexibility and lower diet breadth for A. barbilabris , and the bees' foraging strategies appear to have changed. Andrena flavipes collected more pollen taxa in a single load, while A. barbilabris appeared to source pollen from greater distances. Landscape changes at the studied sites have affected the nutritional environment for these bees. Our findings are supported by an existing assessment of floral resources, which found floral diversity has decreased overall in both the habitats used by these bees. However, more research is needed on the nutritional content of pollens used by these bees, both now and historically, to estimate how pollen diversity has changed. The bee's-eye view underlines the importance of understanding how species respond to local changes so that effective conservation strategies can be developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present chironomid-based reconstructions of mean July air temperature changes over the last 2000 years from Lake Latoriței (1530 m a.s.l.) in the Southern Carpathians. A multi-proxy analysis was performed along a 58 cm long sediment core and two training sets were used for quantitative July air temperature reconstructions: the Eastern-European (EE, 212 lakes) and the Finnish-Polish-Carpathian (FPC, 273 lakes). The transfer functions had a coefficient of determination (r 2) 0.88 and 0.91 with a root mean squared error of prediction (RMSEP) 0.88°C and 1.02°C. Despite possible biases resulting from methodological problems and the ecological complexity of the chironomid response to both climatic and environmental changes, the agreement of the temperature reconstruction of Lake Latoriței with other alpine records suggests that the transfer function successfully reconstructed past summer temperatures between 750 and 1830 CE. Biases in the temperature reconstruction in the period before 750 and after 1830 CE were likely caused by increased abundance of rheophilic and semi-terrestrial chironomid species related to increased inflow activity before 750 CE and local land use changes after 1830 CE, which was also indicated by increasing deforestation and increasing lake productivity in the pollen and diatom records. Our results suggest that the region experienced a warm period between 750 and 1360 CE, and a cold period between 1360 and 1600 CE followed by fluctuating summer temperatures until 1830 CE. These events were associated with the so-called 'Mediaeval Warm Period' (MWP) and the 'Little Ice Age' (LIA), respectively. The inference models reconstructed a decrease in July air temperatures by 0.7°C–1.1°C during the LIA relative to the warmer MWP. We also demonstrated that the FPC training set gives better results, supporting that local/continental training sets are efficient to detect weak amplitude summer temperature changes in the Late-Holocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungi are increasingly recognized to play diverse roles within honey bee hives, acting as pathogens, mutualists, and commensals. Pollen products, essential for hive nutrition, host significant fungal communities with potential protective and nutritional benefits. In this study, we profile the fungal communities and antifungal properties of three pollen products from healthy and stressed hives: fresh pollen collected by forager bees from local plants; stored pollen packed into the comb inside the hive; and bee bread, which is stored pollen following anaerobic fermentation used for bee and larval nutrition. Using amplicon sequencing, we found significant differences in fungal community composition, with hive health and sample type accounting for 8.8% and 19.3% of variation in beta diversity, respectively. Pollen and bee bread extracts had species-specific antimicrobial activity and inhibited the fungal hive pathogens Ascosphaera apis, Aspergillus flavus , and Aspergillus fumigatus , and the bacterial hive pathogen Paenibacillus larvae. Activity was positively correlated with phenolic and antioxidant content and was diminished in stressed hives. The plant source of pollen determined by amplicon sequencing differed in stressed hives, suggesting altered foraging behaviour. These findings illustrate the complex interplay between honey bees, fungal communities, and hive products, which should be considered in hive management and conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work evaluate the antibacterial and antioxidant potential of bee pollen and beebread against the toxic changes induced by Salmonella typhimurium in BALB/c mice. The experiment was divided into six groups as; Gp1 was normal, Gp2 was infected with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium at 2×104 CFU, Gp3 and Gp5 were administrated with bee pollen and beebread of Helianthus annus crop alone at 250mg kg-1 bw respectively; Gp4 and Gp6 were with S. typhimurium and bee pollen and beebread H. annus at 250mg kg-1 bw respectively. Different hematological and oxidative stress parameters were assessed in animals. It has been observed that Gp2 showed alteration in the level of all tested parameters as compared to the Gp1, which indicated the toxicity induced by bacteria, but after the treatment with bee pollen and beebread as in Gp4 and 6, their level ameliorated to near normal, which showed the effectiveness of the tested bee products against bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the immunomodulatory effects and safety of an antioxidant supplement composed primarily of Haematococcus pluvialis, selenium-enriched yeast, bee pollen extract, and vitamin E. Three different dosages (0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 g/kg bw) were administered via gavage once daily for 30 days in mice. The impact of this antioxidant supplement was observed on various parameters, including spleen index, thymus index, splenic lymphocyte transformation activity, delayed- type hypersensitivity, antibody-producing cell levels, hemolytic complement 50 (HC50), carbon clearance rate, phagocytic activity of macrophages, and natural killer cell activity. The potential carcinogenicity of the test materials, and their genotoxic effects on cells and the reproductive system were assessed through the Ames test, bone marrow micronucleus assay, and mouse sperm abnormality test, respectively. Subacute toxicity was investigated through a 30 day feeding trial. Results showed that compared to the control group, the middle and high-dosage groups exhibited significant increase in OD difference by 10.32% (P<0.05) and 14.29% (P<0.01), respectively. It indicated that the antioxidant supplement promoted splenic lymphocyte proliferation and transformation capacity in mice. In the high-dosage group, the difference in ear swelling between the left and right ears increased by 8.02% (P<0.05), and the number of antibody volumes increased by 22.12% (P<0.05). It suggested that the antioxidant supplement significantly improved delayed-type hypersensitivity and antibody-producing cell capacity. Importantly, no acute toxicity, genotoxicity, or subacute toxicity were observed. It is demonstrated that the antioxidant supplement is safe for consumption and significantly enhances immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bee bread is a natural product rich in bee pollen which has biological properties for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Whether bee bread from Lepidotrigona flavibasis, a dominant stingless bee species in China, inhibits the development of BPH remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated the inhibitory effects of extracts of bee bread from L. flavibasis (BBLF) on testosterone propionate (TP)-induced BPH in mice by prostate index, histopathological examination, and biochemical parameter analysis. The mice were assigned randomly to four groups with 12 mice for each group: control, TP group (12.5 mg/kg), TP + BBLF group (300 mg/kg), and TP + longbishu capsule group (450 mg/kg). When compared to TP group, TP + BBLF group exhibited significant reduction in prostate index and slightly relieved some symptoms like thickening and elongation of glandular epithelia. For steroid hormones and proinflammatory cytokines, the levels of estradiol (E2), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in serum significantly decreased in TP + BBLF group compared to TP group. Our results elucidated that BBLF exhibited a significant inhibitory activity on TP-induced BPH, suggesting its potential capacity for antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preparation of monodisperse Pickering emulsions currently can only be achieved using microfluidics or membrane emulsification, limiting its widespread applications in many fields. Here, by simply introducing naturally occurring pollen grains during mechanical emulsification, it becomes extremely feasible to fabricate uniform Pickering emulsions. The process of shearing and turbulence leads to a constant reduction in the size of the droplets of the dispersed phase. The robust exine of the pollen grains in the continuous phase enables them to retain their structural integrity during emulsification, resulting in the formation of a single pollen‐in‐water‐in‐oil structure. Meanwhile, the intrinsic monodispersity of the pollen grains allows for the resulting emulsions to be similarly uniform, and they can be easily collected through centrifugation. As a result, this novel methodology achieves the effective formulation of monodisperse Pickering emulsions in an unprecedented way. Furthermore, the utilization of sporopollenin exine capsules (SECs) as a replacement for pollen, in conjunction with sol–gel interfacial engineering, enables the attainment of "yolk‐shell" dual‐shell microcapsules. This approach not only effectively addresses the issue of cargo leakage in SECs but also imparts exceptional uniformity and stability to the microcapsules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honey and bee pollen offer potential health benefits due to their nutrient and bioactive molecules, but they may also harbor contaminants such as heavy metals. This study aimed to assess the content of different metals, including Mg, Al, K, Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Cu, As, Rb, Sr, Cd, Cs, Tl, Pb and U, in honey and bee pollen collected from different Abruzzo region (Italy) areas (A1, A2, A3, A4), characterized by different anthropic influences described by Corine Land Cover maps. Differences were observed in the mineral and heavy metal content associated with the influence of biotic and abiotic factors. Honeys were found to be safe in regard to non-carcinogenic risk in all the consumer categories (THQm < 1). A particular carcinogenic risk concern was identified for toddlers associated with Cr (LCTR > 1 × 10−4) in A1, A2 and A3 apiaries. Pb and Ni represent potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks in children and adults due to bee pollen consumption, showing high values of THQm and LCTR. The results suggest the advantages of utilizing bee products to screen mineral and heavy metal content, providing valuable insights into environmental quality and potential health risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bee pollen is an apicultural product collected by honeybees from flower stamens and used as a functional food worldwide. In the present study, we aim to elucidate the functions of Australian bee pollen. Australian bee pollen extracts and their main components were tested for catechol- O -methyltransferase (COMT) and monoamine oxidase B (MAOB) inhibitory activities. These enzymes are key neurotransmitters involved in Parkinson's disease and depression. Myricetin (5), tricetin (6), and luteolin (7) exhibited high COMT inhibitory activities (half maximal inhibitory concentration [IC50] = 23.3, 13.8, and 47.4 µM, respectively). In contrast, 5, 7 , and annulatin (8) exhibited MAOB inhibitory activities (IC50 = 89.7, 32.8, and 153 µM, respectively). Quantitative analysis via high-performance liquid chromatography revealed that 5 was abundant in Australian bee pollen extracts. Our findings suggest that 5 contributes to the COMT and MAOB inhibitory activities of Australian bee pollen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the possibility of producing bee pollens harvested in certain periods from wild mustard (WM), rock rose (RR) and wild lavender (WL) fields, which are common in the region, as single plant bee pollen (BP) was evaluated and some chemical properties were determined in BP collected from these plants. In the research, 4 colonies each were moved to WM fields in Aydın-Efeler, and to the RR and WL fields in Gaffarlar village of Koçarlı district of Aydın province. In these colonies, the plant origins of the BP pellets taken from each group, separated according to their colors, were determined. Pellet weights, moisture contents, crude protein and total phenolic substance amounts were determined in the samples taken from WM, RR and WL BP pellets of defined plant origin. WM, RR and WL pollen pellet weights were 10,42±0,440 mg, 11,69±0,393 mg and 10,40±0,34 mg, respectively. In the same order as the moisture content were determined as 22,10±0,934%, 19,82±0,613%, 20,55±0,667%. In this study, the crude protein contents of WM, RR and WL bee pollen are; 20,5±0,47%; 13,8±2,51%; 16,5±0,95% also in the same order; total phenolic substance values were determined as 21,53±0,514 mg GAE/g, 16,12±0,539 mg GAE/g and 20,31±0,677 mg GAE/g. With this study, it was realized that the BP produced in WM and RR fields in the Aydın precinct can be considered as monofloral BP. The crude protein content and total phenolic substance content of RR bee pollen were found to be lower than the other two plants. It will be possible to establish standards with more comprehensive chemical analyzes on more WM and RR bee pollen samples collected from various locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honey bee workers (Apis mellifera L.) collect nectar, honeydew and pollen from plants in orderto provide the colony with, among others, carbohydrates and protein. Whenever these sources are unavailable in the environment, bees turn to alternatives. An example of this are fungi spores collected accidentally or on purpose. This last phenomenon is the aim of this study, in which we have shown that worker bees can collect willow rust (Melampsora spp.) spores. We observed as the bees obtained spores and placed them in pollen baskets. The presence of spores was demonstrated with the use of a scanning electron microscope (SEM). This observation indicates that the honey bee may use alternative sources as a potential supplement. There are few studies in this field and it requires a deeper analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]