Pollen Substitutes are for protein?

[Jerrymac]

If that is all one is trying to get why not ground up beans or rice or something like that.

Any thoughts?

[Brian D. Bray]

Gound up beans?  Isn't that where Soy powder comes from?  As long as the protien source is a fine powder it might work.

[Jerrymac]

Well I wasn't thinking soy. Perhaps red beans, pinto beans, black eyed peas. You know, the dried beans that some one might happen to have around and could grind them up in a pinch. 

[Michael Bush]

The bees seem fond of anything ground to find powder. From coffee grounds to grain dust...

[Finsky]

.
Question is no merely protein but aminoacic contents. Rice is mere starch.

Beans are poisonous at least to human if they are not boiled.

"SUMMARYâ€"
The chemical composition of 12 varieties of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) was determined. Varieties most commonly found on Brazilian markets were chosen for this work. The average moisture content was 11%, ash 3.5%, fat 1%, protein 25%, starch 40%, crude fiber 4% and pentonsans 7%. The content of minerals in mg/100g sample was: phosphate 1000, iron 3.2, calcium 40 and magnesium 210. The content of essential amino acids in mg/g protein, calculated on a dry basis, was: lysine 72â€"106, threonine 46-61, valine 29â€"54, methionine 3â€"18, isoleucine 28-49, phenylalanine 33â€"118 and tryptophane 103-138. The product was rich in lysine and threonine as compared to the FAO table for essential amino acids require in the human diet. It was poor in methionine, isoleucine, valine, tryptophane and leucine."

[Cindi]

Jerry.  I think that my reply to this post would be:  WHY BOTHER anyways.

We know for fact that there is excellent proteins, etc. in the brewers yeast or soy.  So why bother to figure out if the beans and others would work.  Too much work, grinding, and information gathering.
According to what I have read, brewers yeast is the closest to natural pollen of all.  My take on it. 
I like things simple, so I will keep it simple, no grinding.  Greatest of days.  Cindi

[GNHONEY]

I agree with Cindi lets keep it simple the new pollen that is out for feeding bees is called feed-bee and is the best to be on the market from what I have read and been told by other beekeepers    Dadants carries it   --gnhoney--

[Finsky]

I agree with Cindi lets keep it simple the new pollen that is out for feeding bees is called feed-bee and is the best to be on the market from what I have read and been told by other beekeepers    Dadants carries it   --gnhoney--

Beekeepers have used to feed bees with what ever, all what seems like pollen. 1977 USA made a secletion researches what are good pollen substitues for bees and recommended soya flour and yeast.  I cannot undestand what instincts take at once to the level "no tested". It is just like in varroa control: people prefer their own humbug than tested systems.  :-D  It is really enough even to me read others ideas, understand them and learn to use. Feeding bees is not just feeding bees. It is part of year's cycle to achieve something, and it is honey.  Of course you may feed them with saw dust but it is not worth discussing.

[Cindi]

Finsky, well said.  Greatest of days.  Cindi