The effect of pollen cake feeding on the quantity and quality of Royal Jelly produced at 24, 48, 72 hours after larval transplantation in beehives

The aim of this study was to use pollen cake on the quantity and quality of royal jelly (RJ) produced at 24, 48 and 72 hours after larval transplantation in beehives. The statistical design used in a completely randomized form was factorial in which the consumption and non-consumption of pollen cake and harvest times (24, 48 and 72 hours after larval transplantation) were main factors. The amount of RJ harvested in each pole was evaluated. Percentage of HDA-10, crude protein and moisture were measured to measure quality. The results showed that the quantity of RJ (g) was affected by harvest time, and the interaction of harvest time and cake feeding. The highest amount of RJ was seen in the treatment of cake feeding and harvest time 72. The percentage of HDA-10 was affected only by harvest time and its maximum value was at 24 harvest time. The percentage of moisture, protein and fat of RJ were not affected by the harvest time, cake feeding and the interactions. However, the percentage of sugars (glucose and fructose) and total phenol were affected by different harvest times and the interactions. Consumption of pollen cake has increased the harvest time of Royal Jelly for at least 20 days. In conclusion, the results of the present study showed that due to the cost of gel removal in 24 hours and its low amount and high quality, the price of 24-hour Royal Jelly was estimated to be at least 2.5 times the price of regular gel.