Tryptophan analysis in pollen samples

[Ian]

If looking at pollen analysis you will notice tryptophan values absent from the AA summary. I have been told it's due to added cost to these projects.
My question are;
Is knowing the tryptophan not extremely important when examining the AA profile in that pollen sample? DeGroot based all his ratios off that one limiting Tryptophan value.
Is there an updated or alternate AA ratio used by researcher to determine the AA profile in the samples ?
Is there a baseline tryptophan value for canola and other pollens that can be found documented somewhere to help bring context to these pollen analysis charts?

[Allen Dick]

Good question. I'll pose it to an expert and get back.

[Allen Dick]

I asked randy Oliver and here is his reply:

Hi Ian,

Yes, due to the difficulty in measuring tryptophan, many analyses do not include it. I've compiled a list of pollen analyses that did, and I've also carefully reviewed deGroot's work, and compared it to what we now know about nutrition of other species, composition of royal jelly, and to the pollens that have tested in controlled studies to produce the best growth or survival of bees.

I haven't yet published my revised deGroot ratio (only slight revisions), but if you are seriously interested please contact me directly.

--
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

[Ian]

Does anyone know if deGroot measured the AA profile on different pollens and if so is that information available? He must of did the work involved to find tryptophan %

[TWall]

Ian,

It doesn't seem to me the science of bee nutrition is to the point where we have the knowledge to tweak specific amino acid levels. I could be wrong on that. Palatability seems to me to be the driving force behind supplement consumption.

The trick is how much sugar to add to get the bees to eat it?

Tom

[Ian]

Oh but it is Tom. Patability is huge of course and yes mimicking stored pollen with 50% plus sugars attracts bees to the patties by tweaking the protein in the patties in effort to acheive the supplement which mirrors high protein pollen is the objective.
Ultra bee is a corn flour supplement and the only way they can provide it As a diet to the bees is by adding supplements balancing its profile