Protein in Pollen

[Larry Bees]

I was happy this summer cause my bees were bringing in so much pollen from my Bahia Grass. I was telling a friend about this and he said that the pollen gotten from my Bahia Grass had very little protein in it and wasn't all that great for my bees.

First: Is this true?

Secondly: What is a good source of pollen with a high protein level in it?

Thanks, Larry

[Larry Bees]

Back up for the night crew.

No pollen experts here???

Larry

[JP]

I read a while back that pollen contains all essential and non essential amino acids. Amino acids as you know are the building blocks of protein. Not sure about protein content of Bahia grass. Don't believe its ever been discussed on here as well.


...JP

[Dave360]

Last Larry Conner Talk I went to he said that most wind pollinated crops (grasses ect) the pollen was only 2 percent protein as opposed to some pollens being 20 percent or so many more trips for the bees

David   

[rdy-b]

 :lol:
A good mix of nutritionally adequate pollens are needed for the production of strong, healthy, "fat" (stored nutrient reserves) bees [ABJ, 7/07, p594]. Not all pollens are nutritious for honey bees [BC, 7/07, p21].
   Nutritious - Pollens from most deciduous fruit trees, lupine (in Australia), almond, clovers, pear, some gum (Eucalyptus) trees, buttercups (some are toxic to bees), Crocus, willows, wild radish, prune, apple , mustard, rape (canola), and poppies are supposed to be good [BC, 7/07, p21].
   Less nutritious - Elm, cottonwood, ash, bleep willow, dandelion, sweet corn, alfalfa (actually alfalfa pollen is nutritional, but honey bees don't like it) [BC, 7/07, p21].
   Least nutritious - Air-borne pollens such as alder, hazel nut, ash, birch, poplar, field corn. Sunflower, eastern buckwheat, fireweed, blueberry, and weeping willow are not adequate nutrient sources [BC, 7/07, p21].
   Especially poor - Pine, spruce, fir, and cedars [BC, 7/07, p21].

Colonies can be nutritionally deprived even when combs have multi-colored pollens (bee bread) inside. The living protoplasm that normally occurs inside pollen grains contain the protein and carbohydrate used by the pollen grain to grow a pollen tube into the female part of the flower and fertilize the potential seed. Too much chilling weather, such as unanticipated frosts that set back plants, interferes w/ meiosis in forming pollen and the grains are "sterile". Too dry and too hot conditions lead to the production of "non-viable" pollen. Bee bread looks the same whether the pollen grains are intact or empty. Some speculate that the weather can change the vitamin content or amino acid ratio of otherwise nutritious pollen [BC, 7/07, p21].
   Foraging bees are apparently unable to discriminate between highly nutritive pollen and that which has low nutritional value [Ref 15, p60].
   Odor and color may be important factors in pollen selection by foragers [Ref 12, p200].
   Brood (all stages) stimulates pollen collection and the larval stage is particularly effective [BC, 9/07, p56]. 8-)
RDY-B

[Larry Bees]

Thanks JP, Dave, and RDY-B for your replies!

RDY-B, you really spent some time on answering my question. Good job!

Larry

[Finski]

I read a while back that pollen contains all essential and non essential amino acids. Amino acids as you know are the building blocks of protein. Not sure about protein content of Bahia grass. Don't believe its ever been discussed on here as well.


...JP

that is not expert writing that "pollen has all..."

bees tend to collect pollen mix to ensure to get essential aminoacids.

Bees need 22% crude protein content in pollen - on average- to get enough protein.

Willow has 15% crude protein. Fireweed (willow herb) has only 10%.
Clowers have  24%. Canola is good.

Dandelion, alfa-alfa  have not at all some essential aminoacids. Kiwi has zero protein.
Pine has 2%.

Skimmed milk has 50% lactose. Not good to bees.


Bees need balanced mix of essential aminoacids. That is why they forage flower mix.
If some pollen has lack of aminoacid, bees must eate more pollens to get enough the minimum factor.

If  protein has lack of some nutritiens, bees may take it from their bodies a while.
It shortens the bee life.

There is a book in USA where is collected  pollen protein information. The price is huge.

To research aminoacid content is very expencive.

.

[Larry Bees]

Thanks Finski for your reply. Larry