Protein Analysis of Anzer Bee Pollen by Bradford Method

Abstract

The aim of this work is to determine the plants that are foraged by honeybees in Anzer Plateau and to evaluate the protein content of the pollen samples. Within the context of the study, pollen samples were collected from two different bee farms located in the Anzer Plateau during the period June-August, 2013 by using traps in honey bee hives. The pollen loads of the bees were firstly classified according to their color. The origin of plants was determined in family and/or genus level according to microscopical analyses. Total protein content of pollen samples was determined by using Bradford method. As a result of palynological analysis, it was found that the protein content of the Anzer pollen samples were found between the range of 3.2-17.6 g/100g. Geraniaceae family was found as the mostly preferred taxon as a foraged plant. According to our findings, its protein content is determined to be found between 5-7.8 g/100g according to the collection date and location.