Characterization of Flavonoids in Echium plantagineum and Campanulaceae Bee Pollen

DI PAOLA-NARANJO R. D., GONZÁLEZ-PARAMÁS A. M., PÉREZ-ALONSO J. J., RIVAS-GONZALO J. C.

Winnipeg

Congreso; XXIII International Conference on Plyphenols; 2006

Polyphenols Groupe

Bee pollen is a hive-derived product of great commercial interest owing their nutritional value. Among its components, the flavonoids and their biological activity have been the subject of several investigations in order to establish quality parameters of this apicultural product. On the other hand, the flavonoid profiles have been used as the botanical source marker of bee pollens. In the following study, the flavonoids glycosides from two pollinic type, Echium plantagineum and Campanulaceae, have been characterized according to their chromatographic characteristics, UV-Vis and mass spectra. The dark blue colour is a feature that distinguishes it from other pollen types. Glycoside forms of flavonols and flavones were identified in bee pollens extracts. Kaempferol-7-O-neohesperidoside was the most abundant flavonol in E. plantagineum whereas Kaempferol-3-O-glucoside was the main flavonoid in Campanulaceae. Furthermore, their corresponding malonyl-derived were presented. Minor components were also identified, among them, glycosides derived from quercetin, apigenin and isorhamnetin. The flavonoid profiles were clearly different in both, E. plantagineum and Campanulaceae, confirming their usefulness for the botanical characterization. Their flavonoid content suggests that it could represent an important source of phytochemicals for human diet. What is more, it can be considered as a new commercial product for the international market.