Nutritional composition of pot-pollen produced by stingless bees (Tetragonula biroi Friese) from the Philippines

The commercial use of Tetragonula biroi Friese pot-pollens is strongly limited due to scarce data about its properties and composition. Eight pollen samples of T. biroi Friese, indigenous stingless bees from Philippines, were analysed for physicochemical properties and chemical composition. The average chemical main composition showed a relatively narrow range among all samples. Most of determined values met the proposed general quality criteria for bee pollen. The samples contained fructose (4.39 - 9.58 g/100 g), glucose (0.25 - 1.95 g/100 g), sucrose (4.29 - 26.04 g/100 g) and small amounts of di- and trisaccharides; besides sucrose, mannitol (12.66 +/- 5.47 g/100 g on average) was highest in concentration among all analysed carbohydrates and sugar alcohols. Furthermore, moderate amounts of soluble proteins and free amino acids were found. The predominant fatty acids were palmitic, alpha-linolenic and linoleic acids. The major elements quantified were calcium and magnesium. Our results revealed the high nutritive value of T. biroi pollen. The values obtained from this study may serve as basis for standardization of physicochemical requirements and quality parameters for bee pollen from T. biroi.