Morphometric Structure and Protein and Mineral Matter Contents of Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) Pollens

This study aimed to determine the morphometric characteristics as well as the protein and mineral matter contents of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) pollens. The research was conducted at the Malatya Apricot Research Station Directorate. During the flowering period, mountable pollen traps were installed at the hive entrance boards of honey bee colonies. Pollen pellets collected from the trapped colonies and pollen grains obtained from the flowers of the Hacıhaliloğlu apricot cultivar were analyzed. Morphometric evaluations revealed that apricot pollens were triangular in shape with a smooth surface structure. The mean primary axis length was determined as 44.34 ± 0.19 µm, while the mean secondary axis length was 46.92 ± 0.15 µm. The average pollen pellet weight was 8.24 ± 0.10 mg. Chemical analyses indicated that apricot pollens contained 15.77 ± 0.20% protein, determined by the DUMAS method. Mineral analysis, performed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (adapted from A.O.A.C. 920.181 method), showed that potassium was the dominant mineral (332.00 ± 0.12 ppm), followed by magnesium (68.70 ± 0.18 ppm), calcium (62.50 ± 0.21 ppm), sodium (15.70 ± 0.14 ppm), iron (3.27 ± 0.10 ppm), and copper (2.10 ± 0.16 ppm). The findings demonstrate that apricot pollens constitute a valuable protein and mineral source for honey bees and represent a nutritionally significant natural product for human consumption. As apricot is an entomophilous plant species, honey bees play a critical role in pollination, directly influencing yield and fruit quality. However, during the blooming period, fungicides used against Monilinia laxa (Fluopyram, Fluopyram + Tebuconazole, Cyprodinil, Dodine, Thiram) and insecticides applied against Sphaerolecanium prunastri (Chlorpyrifos-ethyl, Malathion) may pose potential risks to bees and bee products. Therefore, evaluating the effects of these agrochemicals on pollinators and apicultural products remains an important research priority.