Botanical Origin, Phytochemical Profile, and Antioxidant Activity of Bee Pollen from the Mila Region, Algeria

Bee pollen is a complex mixture of floral pollen, and nectar fused substances from bee saliva. It is well known for its high content of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, and phenolic compounds, among various other physiologically active components. Its composition varies significantly depending on its botanical sources and environmental conditions. This study investigates the relationship between the botanical origins, chemical compositions, and antioxidant activities of 15 bee pollen samples collected from different areas in the Mila region of northeastern Algeria. The botanical origins were identified using a palynological method, categorizing 11 samples as monofloral and the rest as polyfloral. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were measured, and their antioxidant capacities were evaluated through DPPH radical scavenging assay, reducing power assay (FRAP), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). HPLC analysis was conducted to measure 17 phenolic compounds. The data indicated that the total phenolic content (TPC) and flavonoid content (TFC) ranged from 7.72 ± 0.29 to 23.49 ± 1.48 mg GAE/g and from 1.48 ± 0.00 to 5.57 ± 0.27 mg QE/g of pollen, respectively. The variations in the concentration of bioactive compounds among samples led to significant differences in their antioxidant activities: DPPH (IC₅₀: 1.12 ± 0.15 to 0.21 ± 0.00 mg/mL), FRAP (EC₅₀: 0.06 ± 0.00 to 0.29 ± 0.00 mg/mL), and TAC (262.17 ± 3.41 to 677.14 ± 12.81 EAA mg/100 g of bee pollen), with the most active samples being monofloral types from Cistus type and Brassica type. A strong correlation was observed between TPC, TFC, and antioxidant activity. Among the 17 tested compounds, only coumaric acid, rutin, myricetin, naringenin, resveratrol, and kaempferol were detected. In conclusion, both monofloral and polyfloral bee pollen samples represent a rich source of polyphenols with significant antioxidant potential.