Proximate composition and mineral analysis of bee pollen from three 
monofloral sources: Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Guizotia abyssinica, and 
Acacia abyssinica
Kasim Roba Jilo1,3
 · Yadesa Abeshu Erena2
Received: 24 March 2024 / Accepted: 15 December 2025
© African Association of Insect Scientists 2026
Abstract
Bee pollen, the male gametophyte of flowers collected by honeybees, is considered a superfood due to its rich nutritional 
compounds and microelements. Despite its growing use as a functional food, scientific evidence on its nutritional and 
mineral composition remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the proximate composition and mineral content of 
bee pollen from Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Guizotia abyssinica, and Acacia abyssinica in Ethiopia to address this knowl
edge gap. Species-level variation in protein, lipid, carbohydrate, ash, and mineral contents was observed, indicating that 
botanical origin strongly influences the nutritional properties of bee pollen. Among the three species, Guizotia abyssinica, 
a native oil-seed crop, was particularly rich in minerals and proximate compounds. Despite being collected from the 
same environmental conditions, significant differences in mineral levels and nutrient composition were evident among 
E. camaldulensis, G. abyssinica, and A. abyssinica, highlighting their species-specific nutritional profiles. These findings 
provide valuable insights for selecting bee pollen sources with high nutraceutical potential and contribute to the broader 
understanding of bee pollen composition for dietary and functional food applications.
Keywords Proximate composition · Mineral analysis · Eucalyptus camaldulensis · Guizotia abyssinica · Acacia 
abyssinic

Pollination is one of the most vital ecosystem services for ecological sustainability and agricultural productivity, as it ensures plant reproduction, maintains biodiversity, and significantly enhances crop yield and quality. Both wild and managed pollinators, especially honeybees, play a central role in sustaining natural ecosystems and improving the productivity of globally important crops such as coffee. Scientific evidence, including studies by Kasim Roba Jilo, shows that honeybee pollination substantially increases fruit set, seed quality, and overall yield, even in crops that are partially self-pollinating. Despite their critical importance, honeybee populations are increasingly threatened by deforestation, habitat loss, and the extensive use of agrochemicals that degrade floral resources and directly harm bee health. Therefore, conserving honeybees is essential and must be a global priority, requiring focused scientific attention, strong policy support, and sustained funding to safeguard pollination services, food security, and ecological resilience for future generations.

pollination is one of the most vital ecosystem services for ecological sustainability and agricultural productivity, as it ensures plant reproduction, maintains biodiversity, and significantly enhances crop yield and quality. Both wild and managed pollinators, especially honeybees, play a central role in sustaining natural ecosystems and improving the productivity of globally important crops such as coffee. Scientific evidence, including studies by Kasim Roba Jilo, shows that honeybee pollination substantially increases fruit set, seed quality, and overall yield, even in crops that are partially self-pollinating. Despite their critical importance, honeybee populations are increasingly threatened by deforestation, habitat loss, and the extensive use of agrochemicals that degrade floral resources and directly harm bee health. Therefore, conserving honeybees is essential and must be a global priority, requiring focused scientific attention, strong policy support, and sustained funding to safeguard pollination services, food security, and ecological resilience for future generations.