Royal jelly is a milky secretion produced by worker honeybees (Apis mellifera), and it is primarily composed of a rich blend of carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. This unique substance serves as the exclusive food for the queen bee throughout her life.
The Composition of Royal Jelly
The detailed makeup of royal jelly highlights its nutritional richness, essential for the extraordinary development and reproductive capabilities of the queen bee. It is a complex substance, with its exact composition varying slightly depending on factors like the bee species, geographic location, and flowering plants available.
Here's a breakdown of its main components:
| Nutrient Type | Description and Role in Royal Jelly |
|---|---|
| Carbohydrates | Primarily simple sugars, serving as the main energy source. |
| Proteins | Crucial for growth and development, including major royal jelly proteins (MRJPs). |
| Amino Acids | The building blocks of proteins, vital for various biological functions. |
| Fatty Acids | Include unique fatty acids like 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA), believed to have significant biological properties. |
| Vitamins | Contains B vitamins (e.g., B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12), essential for metabolic processes. |
| Minerals | A range of minerals such as calcium, copper, iron, phosphorus, potassium, and silicon. |
Production and Purpose
Worker honeybees, specifically young nurse bees, secrete royal jelly from glands in their heads. This special food is fed to all larvae for their first few days of life. However, only the larva destined to become the queen bee continues to be fed royal jelly exclusively throughout her larval development and her entire adult life. This constant supply of nutrient-dense royal jelly is what enables the queen bee to grow significantly larger than worker bees and to live for several years, laying thousands of eggs daily.
