Abstract

THERAPEUTIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF THE "GOLDEN GRAINS": THE POLLEN OF NATIVE STINGLESS BEES

Flavia Maria Vasques Farinazzi-Machado*, Cíntia Aparecida Batista, Renata Bonini Pardo, Elke Shigematsu, Juliana Audi Gianonni, Claudia Dorta, Fernando Garcia

ABSTRACT

The cultivation of native stingless bees (NSB) is a traditional practice in various regions of Brazil, standing out for its ease of management, its environmental significance in pollination and biodiversity maintenance, and the commercial value of its derived products. Although honey is the most well-known product, other byproducts such as propolis, geopropolis, royal jelly, beeswax, apitoxin, and pollen also have significant nutritional and therapeutic values. Pollen is collected by bees and transformed into samburá, a fermented product with important nutritional and bioactive properties. This study reviews the literature on the therapeutic characteristics and technological properties of pollen collected by NSB in human nutrition. Pollen is a rich source of proteins, lipids, vitamins, and bioactive compounds, such as carotenoids and flavonoids. Consequently, these nutritional benefits justify its wide use in many food products. Its inclusion in bread, cookies, and beverages has shown promising results in terms of sensory acceptance, in addition to the enhancement of nutritional value. The increasing demand for functional foods, adding pollen to the daily diet, represents an attractive alternative for consumers seeking healthier and more balanced diets.

Keywords: Pollination, Samburá, Indigenous Bees, Functional Food, Biodiversity.