Phenolic, polyphenolic, flavonoids and anti radical activity pollen profile collected by bees Apis mellifera L. and its effects on hypopharyngeal gland

• Grant number: 16/00717-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: March 28, 2016
• End date: June 28, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Animal Production
• Principal Investigator: Ricardo de Oliveira Orsi
• Grantee: Thaís de Souza Bovi
• Supervisor: Maria da Graca Ribeiro Campos
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universidade de Coimbra (UC), Portugal
• Associated to the scholarship: 13/25942-9 - Effects of nutrition and management of apitoxin harvest on development of hypopharyngeal glands in bees Apis mellifera L, BP.DR

Abstract

Pollen is considered as the major source of essential nutrients for Apis mellifera honeybees development, because it composition of protein, vitamins, minerals, among others. Quantity and quality of consumed pollen are directly responsible for worker bees hypopharyngeal glands development. However, each pollen type has a specific nutritional support, which could influence colony nutrition and development. Our preliminary results have shown variations in number and acini size of hypopharyngeal glands, suggesting possible influence of diet on hypopharyngeal gland development. Thus, the aim of this research project are to determine phenolic compounds, polyphenols, flavonoids and antiradical activity of pollen profile collected by Apis mellifera and making a correlation with size and acini area of hypopharyngeal gland tissue. For this, we collected every two weeks, for 12 months, bee pollen from 10 Apis mellifera colonies with front pollen collectors. The proposed analysis will be carrying on at Prof. Dra. Maria da Graça Ribeiro Campos lab, University of Coimbra, Portugal, which has extensive experience in bee pollen quality researches, having developed many studies in the area. To determine phenols/polyphenols and flavonoids profile will be used High Performance Liquid Chromatography technique coupled with a Photodiode Array (HPLC / PDA). The antiradical activity will be determinate from a pollen purified extract with R, R-A-diphenyl picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). We hope to demonstrate the possible influence of bee pollen in worker bees hypopharyngeal gland development and their importance in nutrition and colony development. (AU)