In vitro antioxidant capacity of honeybee-collected pollen of selected floral origin harvested from Romania

Total phenolic phytochemical concentration was measured in 12 honeybee-collected pollens of selected floral species as well as their antioxidant capacity. The content of total polyphenols was measured spectrophotometrically using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent with gallic acid as standard. The antioxidant properties were evaluated by 2,2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging capacity (DPPH) assay, Trolox equivalent antioxidant Capacity procedure and Ferric ion reducing antioxidant power assay. A great variability regarding the correspondence between the antioxidant activity and the content of total polyphenols of honeybee-collected pollens with different botanical origin was found. Antioxidant activities were different for each floral species and were not clearly associated to their total phenolic content. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.