Pollen feed is a nutritious supplement for livestock and poultry. It is derived from the pollen of various types of flowers. This article focuses on its functions, composition, and feeding methods. It also discusses its nutritional value. Read on to learn more! Here are a few tips to get you started.
Contents
Functions
Pollen is a valuable dietary supplement that provides a broad range of health benefits. It is available in many forms and is used to supplement a variety of diets. The shell of the pollen grain, however, decreases the bioavailability of many nutrients. As a result, pollen-based functional foods have been developed that improve pollen digestibility. In addition, pollen-based feed has been studied extensively for its health and growth benefits in both animals and humans.
Pollen is produced by a variety of plant species. Each species produces a different amount of pollen. Pollen from closely related species tends to have similar protein and crude-protein content. Examples of plants with high-protein pollen include raspberry/blackberry, sunflower, willow, and pine.
Composition
Pollen is a diverse plant product that contains a wide range of biologically active substances. It contains more than 200 substances per grain, including amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, phenolic compounds, enzymes, coenzymes, vitamins, and bioelements. The composition of pollen feed differs depending on the species.
Pollen contains various nutrients essential for the growth and development of honey bees. It contains approximately 6% to 30 percent crude protein. Proteins are made up of amino acids, which are essential for the proper growth and development of honey bees. These amino acids are found in varying concentrations and vary depending on the floral source.
Methods of feeding
There are several methods of feeding pollen to honeybees. Commercial substitutes are available in the market. They are formulated for various eco-climatic conditions. However, they may not be satisfactory in all situations. The use of pollen substitutes in beekeeping may help to strengthen the industry and meet the demands of beekeepers.
Moreover, natural pollen does not have a high nutritional value, which makes it beneficial to use a substitute. For example, colonies may make beebread from fungal rust spores or from other materials. Such beebread is not as nutritious as what a bee colony needs. In such cases, it is helpful to feed a pollen substitute to avoid starvation. However, beekeepers must be careful and read their combs to ensure that pollen patties are nutritious.
Antimicrobial protection
Pollen from various countries may be contaminated with bacteria and fungi that cause disease in honeybees. In an attempt to protect bees from this disease, researchers have used a variety of antimicrobial agents. These agents include dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), oleic acid, and linoleic acid. Pollen contains these acids in varying proportions and diversity. They are essential for the development and reproduction of honeybees, and linoleic acid is known to have antifungal properties.
Bees utilize the pollen to produce royal jelly, which contains proteins and lipids. This feed is stored in hexagonal cells in the hive. This pollen is acidic and contains approximately 40-50% simple sugars. The pollen is then converted into royal jelly and distributed to the larvae via trophallaxis. In turn, bees consume the royal jelly.
Sensory properties
The sensory properties of pollen feed are measured in several ways. One such way is through sensory profiling, a method that describes the sensory properties of a sample. The properties are usually evaluated and assigned an intensity value. One of the most common techniques for sensory profiling is quantitative profile analysis, which can fully characterize a product. Another way is through multivariate statistical methods, which link sensory properties to other characteristics. These instrumental values can then be used to complete a product mapping.
The characteristics of pollen depend on the botanical species, season, climate, and other environmental factors. It is also important to note that pollen contains different types of compounds, which affect the health of the plant. For instance, clover pollen contains flavone matter, which helps to protect the body from certain diseases and protects the cardiovascular system. Pollen from willow trees, on the other hand, contains chlorogenic acid, which helps maintain vascular health. Pollen from cherries is also anti-inflammatory and helps regulate the secretion of thyroid hormones.
