Vitamin, mineral, polyphenol, amino acid profile of bee pollen from Rhododendron ponticum (source of “mad honey”): nutritional and palynological approach

In this study, it was aimed to characterize the pollen collected by bees from the Rhododenron ponticum plant, which is the source of mad honey, in terms of some parameters. In the first stage, the botanical origin of the sample was confirmed by palynological analysis supported by light microscopic images. Then, the chemical profile of Rhododenron ponticum bee pollen was examined in terms of 31 elements, 42 amino acids, 33 phenolics and vitamins A, B1, B2, B5, B6, B7, B12, C, E, K1 and K2. The total individual phenolic compound content of Rhododendron ponticum bee pollen was determined as 11928.23 µg/100 g, total element content as 13997.75 mg/kg, total free amino acid content as 149466.11 µg/g and total vitamin content as 20509.37 µg/100 g. In addition, it was characterized by a low content of vitamin A (retinol), B7, B12, K2, as well as a deficiency of vitamin K1. As a result of analysis with LC-MS-MS, it was found that it contains L-asparagine and myricetin in a significantly higher concentration compared to other amino acids and phenolic compounds. However, the presence of phenolic compounds (myricetin, epicatechin, tyrosol etc.) and amino acids (L-asparagine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, L- Tryptophan etc.) with significant biological activity indicates that this product is a bee product with high medicinal properties. Moreover, the significant presence of Mg, P, Fe and Ca, high K/Na ratio, vitamin C, B2, B5 and B6 content makes bee pollen collected from Rhododendron ponticum plant attractive for diets.