Effect of floral variation on the proximate and mineral composition of bee pollen in Dale Sedi District, Kellem Wollega Zone, Western Ethiopia

The nutritional composition of bee pollen varies depending on its floral and geographical origin. Hence, this study aims to evaluate the effect of floral variation on the proximate and mineral composition of bee pollen derived from five major floral sources collected in Haro Sebu between 2022 and 2023. A Melissopalynological procedure was used to identify floral origin while proximate and mineral contents were analyzed by standard methods. Five major bee floras namely Bidens spp., Guizotia scabra, Croton macrostachyus, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Zea mays were identified and analyzed. The proximate composition results showed statistically significant (p < 0.05) among the tested bee pollen. The results indicated the mean content of Moisture (13.29%), Ash (2.03%), Fat (4.27%), Protein (17.76%), Fiber (2.68%), and Carbohydrate (59.94%). All bee pollen types exhibited statistically significant (p < 0.05) on minerals except on Mn (p > 0.05). The mean content of K (5368.4), P (2537.5), Fe (91.4), Mn (30.9) and Na (144.7) mg/kg in dry weight was observed. Z. mays had the highest moisture and protein content, E. camaldulensis had the highest ash and K content, while the highest P, Fe and Na was recorded by C. macrostachyus pollen sample. From the minerals, the highest and lowest amount was K (5368.4 mg/kg) and Mn (30.9 mg/kg) respectively. The findings indicated the tested floral based bee pollen had an excellent proximate and mineral content whilst their amount varies based on the source of flora. However, further studies considering location, agroecology, seasonal variation, and a full nutritional and medicinal profile are essential.