Since the primordial of humanity, pollen has been considered a good source of
nutrients and energy. Its promising healing properties have also been referred to. The
present study aimed to characterize, for the first time, eight commercial pollens from
Portugal and Spain available on the market studying the legislation on labeling, pollinic
origin, physicochemical and microbiological analyses and identification of yeasts. Eleven
botanical families were found amongst the samples. The most abundant family and the
most dominant pollen was Cistaceae. The moisture content, ash, aw, pH, reducing sugars,
carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and energy were analyzed and the specific parameters were
within the specifications required by some countries with legislation regarding these
parameters. Microbiologically commercial pollen showed acceptable safety for the
commercial quality and hygiene. All samples showed negative results for toxigenic
species. The microorganisms studied were aerobic mesophiles, yeasts and moulds,
coliforms, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella and sulfite-reducing
Clostridium. During the work, six yeasts species were isolated from pollen, with
Rhodotorula mucilaginosa being the most abundant, as it was present in four samples.
