The Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia L.) is a commonly known resilient shrub indigenous to Central and Western Asia and Southern Europe. This important species possesses numerous ecological and economic significances. It also serves as a vital nutritional resource for bees within the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. The presented study aimed to examine the phenolic composition and antioxidant properties of pollen grains derived from E. angustifolia. The total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) reached quantification at 26.117 mg GAE g⁻¹ DW and 0.449 mg QUE g⁻¹ DW, respectively, in pollen grains, employing the Folin-Ciocalteu and DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assays. The antioxidant capacity, as assessed through the FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) method, showed the value of 485.491 μmol Fe (II) g⁻¹. Additionally, the DPPH assay resulted in the SC50 value (0.059 mg/ml). Utilizing reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC-PDA), six major phenolic compounds were identified, including ellagic and gallic acids. These findings underscore the potential applications of E. angustifolia pollens in food supplements and therapeutic contexts, thereby accentuating its rich biochemical profile along with ecological and medicinal importance.
Russian olive (E. angustifolia L.), pollen grains, biochemical profile, phenolic compounds, antioxidant properties, ecological and medicinal importance, RP-HPLC
The Russian olive (E. angustifolia L.) biochemical composition revealed six major phenolic compounds, including ellagic and gallic acids. These findings underscore the potential applications of E. angustifolia pollens in food supplements and therapeutic contexts.