Keywords
composition
analysis
quality
How to Cite
Abstract
Pollen collected by bees is used as a dietary supplement. Data related to the hygienic and sanitary conditions of this product, as well as its composition, are rare. In this work, the physical-chemical properties of twenty-one samples of pollen from Apis mellifera bees, acquired from commercial
establishments or directly from bee-keepers from the São Paulo and Minas Gerais states, were determined.
The physical-chemical properties analyzed were moisture, water activity, ashes and pH. Moisture content
of the samples analyzed was above the limit established by legislation. Protein and lipids contents were within the limits established by legislation. Three samples presented ash contents outside of the legal standards. Pollen samples produced in southeast Brazil could be used as food supplement due to its high level of lipids and proteins if microbiological parameters were within safe limits.
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