Identification of pollen types of beekeeping interest by non‐targeted mass spectrometry

• DOI: 10.1002/jsf2.228
• Publication Date: 2025-01-13T08:20:56Z
• Authors: Valeria Leoni; Christina Kast; Ueli Bütikofer; Luca Giupponi; Reto Portmann
• Keywords: Identification; Chemometrics; Bee Pollen

Abstract Background The identification of pollen is important in the field beekeeping for determination botanical origin bee products and investigations diet. Until now, it has been performed by melissopalynology, microscopic examination grains. However, this technique some limitations, such as necessity experienced analysts restricted to family level types. Although many techniques have proposed alternatives or complements melissopalynology omics explored gather information on honey, no study yet conducted a large set Results dataset consisted 34 different types pellets collected honeybees Switzerland analyzed multiple biological replications, leading 150 observations. samples were after tryptic digestion using non‐targeted mass spectrometry‐based method. Liquid chromatography coupled with spectrometry (LC–MS) was employed identify pollen, used reference method identification. We built an OPLS‐DA prediction model clearly identified new their membership group ( Acer sp., n = 10) type at species‐specific Quercus sp. Less predictable results achieved Composita H directly from plant. Conclusion use chemometrics resulted promising tool replacement/supplement traditional melissopalynology.