LEVELS OF THIAMINE AND ITS ESTERS IN BEE COLLECTED POLLEN USING LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY AND ROBOTICS

Abstract

The levels of thiamine (B1) and its mono- and diphosphate forms were determined in fresh pollen collected from free-flying colonies of honey bees (Apr.-Oct. 1985) located at Beltsville, MD. The entire analytical process was performed by a laboratory robotic system. The seasonal thiamine levels (w moles/100 g) in bee-collected pollen varied greatly depending on the floral source and time of year. All three forms of this vitamin are present in the pollen samples but thiamine is the principle form of the vitamin. The second most abundant form was the diphosphate followed by the monophosphate form.