Chemical composition and free radical-scavenging activities of monofloral bee pollen from Mimosa pudica L.

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]