Bee pollen

Frozen bee pollen

Bee pollen, sometimes termed as bee bread or pollen ball, is a concoction of pollen, honey, or nectar meticulously packed by worker honeybees. Found in brood cells, these granulated substances play a crucial role in the diet and reproduction of bees and have also garnered attention as a food source for humans.

Composition and Formation

Bee pollen is primarily derived when foraging bees retrieve pollen and bring it back to the hive. At the hive, the pollen is handed over to other worker bees. These bees then proceed to:

• Pack the pollen into cells using their heads.
• Intermingle the pollen with nectar, enzymes, fungi, and bacterial organisms.

For the bee colony, bee pollen serves as a vital protein source.

Chemical Composition

The exact chemical make-up of bee pollen hinges largely on the specific plants from which the pollen is sourced. This means:

• The composition can vary significantly - by hour, day, week, or even by individual colonies within the same apiary.
• No two bee pollen samples are precisely alike.

Though the composition can differ widely, the average content typically encompasses:

• 55% carbohydrates
• 35% proteins
• 3% minerals and vitamins
• 2% fatty acids
• 5% various other components

Recent research also indicates that bee pollen samples can house as many as 188 fungi types and 29 bacteria varieties.

Human Consumption

Often referred to as ambrosia, bee pollen has found its way into the human diet. Yet, the chemical and nutritional properties of any bee pollen sample pertain exclusively to that specific sample and cannot generalize across all bee pollen.

Health Implications

While many consume bee pollen without issues, there are potential risks:

• Individuals sensitive to pollen or with pollen allergies might experience allergic or anaphylactic reactions upon exposure.
• Common side effects include hives, swelling, shortness of breath, and, in severe cases, anaphylaxis.
• Despite these risks, bee pollen is deemed safe for short-term consumption by those without pollen allergies.

See Also

• Royal jelly
• Honey
• Propolis
• Apiary

External links

• Producing Pollen

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