Pollen Product of the Hive | Bee Honey | Bee Pollen | Royal Jelly

Pollen is the male reproductive cells. Pollen is usually transmitted from one flower to another by pollinators such as bees or by the wind. From the bee's point of view pollen is the most important product of the hive. Pollen supplies all the bee's nutrients. Without adequate pollen supplies which are obtained either through foraging or from stores in the form of 'bee bread', a colony could not exist.

Historically, pollen was of little commercial or economic consequence to European or

U.S.

beekeepers. In the last several decades interest in pollen, however, has dramatically increased, first in Eastern Europe, later in Western Europe and in North America.One of the main reasons for growing interest in the U.S.Related Articles
, has been the popularity of health foods and natural supplements. Bee collected pollen is not a uniform, distinct and easily characterized product. It consists of a blend of pollen grains derived from many plant species in a given locality.

The problem of chemical analysis of pollen becomes even more difficult because plant pollen sources not only vary by locations throughout the world, but also by season and year in a given locality. Protein is a major component of pollen with an average value of almost 24%. Carbohydrates constitute about 27% of bee collected pollen and consist mostly of the simple sugars fructose and glucose. Some pollen also contains starch as high as 18% by weight. Pollen contains on average only 5% fat.

Pollen contains substantial quantities of potassium, calcium and magnesium as well as high levels of iron, zinc, manganese and copper. It contains low levels of sodium, is rich in B vitamins and contains highly variable levels of vitamin C. Because of its high content of trace mineral elements and vitamins, pollen has potential as an excellent human food source.

There are, however, adverse reactions reported by people who have consumed pollen including stomach and gastrointestinal upset. Another concern is the potential for allergic reactions to orally ingested pollen. Research indicates, however, that consumption of pollen entails only to trivial risk. Pollen has been used in the treatment of chronic prostatis, to help reduce the symptoms of hay fever, in treating a wide variety of ailments including ulcers, colds and infections.

Another benefit of pollen is its ability to help protect against the adverse effects of X-ray. The positive effects of dietary pollen in the medical regimen of cancer patients undergoing radiation treatment has been reported by Hernuss et al. A variety of animals are also known to feed on pollen and its use in animal diets appears promising.

Pollen is collected in the form of corbicular pellets removed from the legs of returning bees. A great variety of pollen traps have been developed for this purpose. Most use two screens with 0.58 mm diameter wires with 5 per 2.5 cm that are separated by about 5mm. Other traps use perforated metal plates with about 4.7 mm holes.

The design of a pollen trap is crucial both to the effectiveness of collecting pollen and to the welfare of the colony. The collected pollen should be free of contaminating insect parts, wax moths, debris, mold, etc. and must be kept dry. The trap must not unduly stress the colony by taking too much pollen. If too much pollen is removed from the foragers, severe stress including reduced brood rearing and decrease in honey production can occur. Traps that remove about 60% of the incoming pollen during heavy nectar flows appear about optimal and can be left in place year round with little adverse effect. Fryness and other factors of the pollen.

The market for pollen is mainly for human nutritional supplements, feeding to bees and as an animal food. Pollen is formulated for human consumption into a variety of appealing products including tablets, pollen granules, oral liquids, candy bars, tonics, etc. The production of pollen products for human consumption has been growing at a rapid rate. Prices of pollen products vary but can often yield high profits for the producer. (mainebee)