Work

Hydroxy fatty acid profiles of Bulgarian royal jelly: Geographical variation and compositional stability

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Bulgarian royal jelly has primarily been evaluated using physicochemical traits and 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA), whereas broader hydroxy fatty acid profiles remain less well characterized. This study assessed semi-quantitative profiles generated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) in 54 fresh royal jelly samples from five Bulgarian regions: Sofia (n = 25), Lovech (n = 10), Razgrad (n = 10), Varna (n = 5), and Veliko Tarnovo (n = 4). Components were identified by mass spectral library matching, and relative peak-area percentages were analyzed. Twenty-six analytes with complete data were tested using Kruskal-Wallis analysis, Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) correction, and Holm-adjusted Mann-Whitney post hoc comparisons for findings retained after correction. Regional differences remained statistically supported for 13-hydroxytetradecanoic acid (H = 35.281, p < 0.0001, q = 0.000011, epsilon-squared = 0.638) and 10-hydroxydodecanoic acid (H = 16.213, p = 0.0027, q = 0.0357, epsilon-squared = 0.249). In contrast, 10-HDA showed no statistically supported regional difference after correction (H = 3.557, p = 0.469, q = 0.718). The resulting profile indicated selective regional variation in minor hydroxy fatty acids, while 10-HDA remained stable under the sampled conditions.

Source: Applied Food Research

DOI: 10.1016/j.afres.2026.102565

Authors: Koycho Koev, Ekin Varol, Ralitsa Balkanska, Banu Yücel

Institutions: Trakia University, Ege University, Institute of Animal Sciences, Agricultural Academy

Language: English

Topic: Bee Products Chemical Analysis

Subfield: Insect Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,050

Funder: Trakia University