Polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of bee pollen extracts from Poland

Our study determined the effect of extraction method of bee pollen on the optimal antioxidant activity of the extract obtained. We determined the content of polyphenols and flavonoids as well as the antioxidant activity of the ethanol extract of pollen loads (EEP), the pepsin extract of pollen loads (PEP), and the pepsin-digested extract of pollen loads (EEPP). The total content of polyphenols was measured using Follin-Ciocalteau reagent. The flavonoid content was measured using aluminum chloride. Phenolic acids and flavonoids were identified and quantified by HPLC. The antioxidant activity was measured by 2,2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity assays and Trolox equivalents antioxidant capacity. Antioxidant activities were the highest in EEPP and associated with the total content of phenolic and flavonoid compounds. This study indicated that pepsin digestion conducted before ethanol extraction allowed us to obtain more bioactive compounds, as well as the highest antioxidant activity of extract.