Arı Poleninin Mikrobiyolojik Kalitesinin Belirlenmesi.

In this study, bee pollen; used for its biological benefits particularly in child, elderly and patient nutrition, was investigated in view of whether or not it carried any microbiological hazard. A total of 12 different origin bee pollens were collected from Istanbul and microbiological, moisture and pH analyses were carried out. Analysis results revealed of Total aerobic mesophilic bacteria (TAMB) counts <1.00-3.48 log cfu/g, moulds <1.00-2.04 log cfu/g and yeasts <1.00-2.70 log cfu/g, whereas there was no growth with regard to coliform bacteria, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus spp., Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes. Examination of the moulds with reference to their macro and micromorphological properties identified Aspergillus, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Alternaria, Mucor, Trichothecium, Cladosporium, Monascus, Geotrichum species. The pollen samples exhibited ranges of 3.75-4.30 in pH value and 1.17-5.80% for moisture levels. In the light of the microbiological criteria in this study, it was found that bee pollen does not present a health hazard. However, the identified Aspergillus and Penicillium species may produce mycotoxins under favourable conditions and present a danger to human health. Therefore, in the production and storage stages of the pollen, contamination must be prevented and conditions allowing mould growth and mycotoxin production must be eliminated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]