Could Phenylamides Emerge as a Powerful Chemotaxonomic Tool? A Case Study of Rapeseed Bee-Collected Pollen Originating From Serbia and Türkiye

Abstract

The composition of bee-collected pollen (BCP) significantly depends on its botanical and geographical origin. In this context, providing information about compounds considered as potential chemotaxonomic markers is useful. The current study aimed to compare the phytochemical profiles of two BCP samples with the same botanical origin (Brassica napus) collected in Serbia and Türkiye. Both samples were monofloral, ensuring mostly consistent chemical composition. In total, 51 and 38 compounds were identified in Turkish and Serbian BCP, respectively, using untargeted UHPLC Q-ToF MS analysis. The identified phytochemicals included phenolics (phenolic acids and flavonoid derivatives), phenylamides, and glucosinolates. By comparing the findings with literature data, four flavonol glycosides (in particular kaempferol) can be considered as potential chemotaxonomic markers for rapeseed BCP. However, the current research revealed that phenylamides are much more characteristic compounds in BCP and have higher chemotaxonomic potential. Namely, eight spermine derivatives were identified as potentially characteristic of Brassica pollen. This study is the first to report phenylamides as potential chemotaxonomic markers in BCP.