Amino Acids in Pollens and Nectars of Citrus Cultivars and in Stored Pollen and Honey from Honeybee Colonies in Citrus Groves

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Abstract
Summary Total amino acids and crude protein levels were analysed in pollens from flowers of nine citrus cultivare, and in stored pollen from three honeybee colonies in citrus groves. Free amino acids were determined in the nectars from six cultivars and in three citrus honeys. Although the protein levels of pollens from different cultivars ranged from 6middot;2% to 20·7%, the percentage of individual amino acids was relatively constant. Aspartic acid and glutamic acid were the predominant amino acids in the pollen from flowers. Stored pollen contained 17·1 % to 22·6% protein, and higher amounts of proline than flower pollen. Nectars contained 7·5 to 79·1 mg/100 g of amino acids. Wide variation was observed both in the numbers and in the levels of amino acids in the nectars. In nectars in which they were found, proline and serine were the predominant amino acids. In contrast, the kinds and amounts of amino acids were fairly constant in the honey samples, proline being the major one. Unlike most plants, Citrus has low levels of proline in pollen and high levels in nectar.