Season and geographic region impact protein1 content, antimicrobial and anticancer activity of royal jelly from Fujairah Emirates

Fouad Lamgahri
Nov 13
3 min read

Authors : Fatima K. Alkindi , Ali El-Keblawy, Bahgat Fayed, Sarra B. Abdelgadir, Doha H. Abou Baker, Fouad L. Ridouane , Shaher Bano , Rania Hamdy, and Sameh S. M. Soliman

Abstract Royal jelly (RJ), a nutrient-rich substance secreted by honeybees, contains bioactive compounds whose composition is shaped by environmental factors such as geography and season. This study examined how regional and seasonal variations affect the concentration of major royal jelly protein 1 (MRJP1) and RJ’s biological activity in five areas of Fujairah, UAE, during spring and fall. MRJP1 was quantified using ELISA, while antibacterial activity was assessed against E. coli and S. aureus using microbroth dilution. Anticancer potential was tested on MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells via MTT assay. Spring-harvested RJ, especially from Ohala, had higher MRJP1 levels and stronger activity against E. coli. In contrast, fall RJ from Al Farfar was more effective against S. aureus, surpassing colistin in some instances. Anticancer activity remained steady across seasons. The study highlights that RJ’s bioactivity and MRJP1 levels are environmentally influenced, positioning MRJP1 as a potential biomarker for RJ quality.

This study investigates how seasonal and geographical differences across the Emirate of Fujairah influence the protein composition and biological activity of royal jelly (RJ), with a focus on the major royal jelly protein 1 (MRJP1)—the most abundant and bioactive RJ protein. Samples were collected from multiple regions (Fujairah, Ohala, Masafi, Dibba, Tawiyan, Al Farfar, Wadi Alsidr) during spring and fall, and compared with a commercial Chinese RJ.

Key Findings

1. MRJP1 Content Depends Strongly on Season and Location

Spring RJ consistently showed higher MRJP1 levels than fall samples.
The highest concentrations appeared in Ohala (16.53 mg/g) and Fujairah (13.68 mg/g) during spring.
Spring MRJP1 values in Fujairah and Masafi were 2.6–2.8 times higher than in fall.
Dibba showed minimal seasonal variation.
Spring RJ from all Fujairah regions outperformed Chinese RJ in MRJP1 concentration.

2. Antibacterial Activity Varies with Region and Season

Against E. coli:
- Spring RJ from Ohala and Dibba demonstrated strong inhibition (≈77–80%).
- Fall samples from Masafi and Al Farfar showed exceptionally high activity (≈90–99%), in some cases approaching or surpassing colistin.
Against S. aureus:
- Fall RJ had superior activity compared to spring.
- Al Farfar fall RJ (98.1%) was more potent than vancomycin in some cases.

3. Anticancer Activity is High Across All Samples

Tested against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells:
- Local RJ showed strong cytotoxicity (≈80–90% inhibition).
- Fall Dibba RJ showed the strongest overall anticancer effect, reducing cell viability to 69.7%.
- Chinese RJ showed minimal inhibition (97.3% cell viability).

4. Correlation Analysis

MRJP1 was negatively correlated with anti-S. aureus activity, meaning higher MRJP1 did not guarantee stronger antibacterial potency.
No significant correlation was found between MRJP1 and anticancer effects.
This suggests other bioactive components—peptides, phenolics, or seasonal phytochemicals—contribute strongly to biological activity.

Environmental Interpretation

Regions with rich spring flora (Acacia, Prosopis) produced higher MRJP1.
Lower altitude sites (Fujairah, Ohala) supported stronger MRJP1 production due to easier foraging and greater floral diversity.
Harsher fall climate likely drives production of different antimicrobial phytochemicals, explaining stronger antibacterial activity in fall samples.

Conclusion

Season and geography significantly influence the protein composition and bioactivity of royal jelly in Fujairah. Spring samples—especially from low-altitude regions—had higher MRJP1 levels, while fall samples from specific areas exhibited superior antibacterial and anticancer effects. MRJP1 alone does not explain RJ’s bioactivity, suggesting a complex interplay of phytochemicals, peptides, and environmental factors. These findings support region- and season-specific harvesting strategies and highlight MRJP1 as a potential biomarker for assessing RJ quality.