Drones and Workers of Honeybee Apis mellifera L. Dried Powder: Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, and Anticancer Assessment

This study explores honeybee as a food source through chemical analysis of pupa and adult stages of honeybee drones and workers (Apis mellifera L.). The findings reveal that drones exhibited higher protein and fat content, while workers have the highest carbohydrate levels. Additionally, seventeen amino acids and nine minerals were identified, with drones in the adult stage having elevated levels of fifteen amino acids, notably glutamic acid at 7.97 g/100 g. Moreover, 24 fatty acids were discovered, with oleic acid being most abundant in drones (55.96% in adult, 44.14% in pupa). Furthermore, potassium and sodium were the dominant minerals in both drone and worker samples; however, adult drone had higher concentrations of potassium, iron, copper, and phosphorus than the other samples. Also, nine phenolic compounds were identified, which exhibited the highest concentration in the adult drone sample (20095.72 μg/100 g). Importantly, the adult drone sample demonstrated significant cytotoxic effects on breast and colorectal cancer cells (MCF₇ and HCT₁₁₆), inhibiting them at rates of 98.1% and 81.5%, respectively. These results emphasize the nutritional potential of honeybees (especially adult drones) as a functional food, rich in amino acids, fatty acids and possessing antioxidant and anticancer properties.