Harvest Season Significantly Influences the Fatty Acid Composition of Bee Pollen

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Harvesting pollen loads collected from a specific botanical origin is a complicated process that takes time and effort. Therefore, we aimed to determine the optimal season for harvesting pollen loads rich in essential fatty acids (EFAs) and unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) from the Al-Ahsa Oasis in eastern Saudi Arabia. Pollen loads were collected throughout one year, and the tested samples were selected during the top collecting period in each season. Lipids and fatty acid composition were determined. The highest values of lipids concentration, linolenic acid (C(18:3)), stearic acid (C(18:0)), linoleic acid (C(18:2)), arachidic acid (C(20:0)) concentrations, and EFAs were obtained from bee pollen harvested during autumn. The maximum values (%) of oleic acid (C(18:1)), palmitic acid (C(16:0)), UFAs, and the UFA/saturated fatty acid (SFA) ratio were found in bee pollen harvested during summer. Bee pollen harvested during spring ranked second in its oleic, palmitic, linolenic, stearic, arachidic, behenic, and lignoceric acid concentrations and for EFAs, UFAs, and the UFA/SFA ratio. It was concluded that the FA composition of bee pollen varied among the harvest seasons. We recommend harvesting pollen loads during spring and summer to feed honeybee colonies during periods of scarcity and for use as a healthy, nutritious food for humans. ABSTRACT: Seasonal variations in the fatty acid (FA) compositions of pollen loads collected from the Al-Ahsa Oasis in eastern Saudi Arabia throughout one year were determined to identify the optimal season for harvesting bee pollen rich in essential fatty acids (EFAs) and unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). The highest values (%) of lipids, linolenic acid (C(18:3)), stearic acid (C(18:0)), linoleic acid (C(18:2)), arachidic acid (C(20:0)), the sum of the C18:0, C18:1, C18:2, and C18:3 concentrations, and EFAs were obtained from bee pollen harvested during autumn. The maximum values (%) of oleic acid (C(18:1)), palmitic acid (C(16:0)), UFAs, and the UFA/saturated fatty acid (SFA) ratio were found in bee pollen harvested during summer. The highest concentrations (%) of behenic acid (C(22:0)), lignoceric acid (C(24:0)), and SFAs were found in bee pollen harvested during winter. Bee pollen harvested during spring ranked second in its oleic, palmitic, linolenic, stearic, arachidic, behenic, and lignoceric acid concentrations and for EFAs, UFAs, and the UFA/SFA ratio. The lowest SFA concentration was found in bee pollen harvested during summer. Oleic, palmitic, and linolenic acids were the most predominant FAs found in bee pollen. It was concluded that the FA composition of bee pollen varied among the harvest seasons due to the influence of the dominant botanical origins. We recommend harvesting pollen loads during spring and summer to feed honeybee colonies during periods of scarcity and for use as a healthy, nutritious food for humans.