Research Progress on Bioactive Ingredients, Biological Activity and Wall-breaking Technology of Bee Pollen

As one of the natural food, bee pollen is rich in a large number of bioactive components, including polysac-charides, proteins, lipids, and polyphenols, etc. Studies in vivo and in vitro have shown that bee pollen has the properties of anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, hypoglycemia, hypolipidemia, liver protection, treatment of prostate diseases, weight loss, as well as anti-cancer, anti-atherosclerosis, and immunomodulatory properties. However, the complex structure of pollen wall partly limits the release of bioactive components and application of bee pollen. Thus studies on wall-breaking technology of bee pollen could solve these problems, and contribute to enhancement of biological activites. This review summarised the research progress on bioactive components, biological activity, and wall-breaking technology of bee pollen in recent years, which could provide information to development of high value-added products derived from bee poleen.