A daily count of air borne pollen was done within the city limits of Seoul, Korea for a period of two years (1984-1985) using Durham's Gravity Sampling Device. Two major pollen seasons, March through May, and the month of September, were easily distinguishable. The concentration of the different types of pollen as well as all of the pollens combined varied similarly both years to a significant degree. The pollen types found in the greatest numbers were Alnus (March), Populus (April), Quercus (April-May), Pinus(May), grasses (September), and weeds (September). The main weed pollens detected in September, sagebrush, ragweed and Japanese hop would also be considered to be important allergenic pollens of respiratory allergy in Korea. The results of the survey are discussed in the light of especially relevant published literature.
Air Pollution/analysis* ; Comparative Study ; Human ; Korea ; Pollen/analysis* ; Seasons

The present study is to determine the flavonoid glycosides, terpene lactones, biflavones, gingko acid and procyanidins of ginkgo pollen. UPLC-TQ-MS technology was used for the determination of 24 kinds of resource chemical composition in ginkgo pollen qualitatively and quantitatively. The results shows that the contents of rutin, quercetion 3-O-[4-O-(α-L-rhamnosyl )-β-D-glucoside] and kaempferolis were 120.9, 114.0, 222.1 μg x g(-1). In this paper, the contents of 24 kinds of chemical components of ginkgo pollen were determinated by UPLC-TQ-MS for the first time. This method is simple and quick, which will be benefit for recycling utilization of ginkgo pollen.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; Ginkgo biloba ; chemistry ; Mass Spectrometry ; Pollen ; chemistry ; Proanthocyanidins ; analysis ; Rutin ; analysis ; Terpenes ; analysis

OBJECTIVEThis study was designed to investigate the nutraceutical potential of monofloral Indian mustard bee pollen (MIMBP).

METHODSThe nutritional value of MIMBP was examined in terms of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and energy value. Its chemical composition in terms of total polyphenol and flavonoid content was determined. MIMBP was screened for free flavonoid aglycones by developing and validating a high-performance liquid chromatography-photo diode array (HPLC-PDA) method. MIMBP was analyzed for in vitro antioxidant effect in terms of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activity.

RESULTSMIMBP was found to be comprised of proteins ((182.2±5.9) g/kg), fats ((137.7±6.8) g/kg) and carbohydrates ((560.6±17.4) g/kg), which result in its high energy value ((17 616.7±78.6) kJ/kg). MIMBP was found to contain polyphenols ((18 286.1±374.0) mg gallic acid equivalent/kg) and flavonoids ((1 223.5±53.1) mg quercetin equivalent/kg). The HPLC-PDA analysis revealed the presence of kaempferol ((65.4±0.5) mg/kg) and quercetin ((51.4±0.4) mg/kg) in MIMBP, which can be used as markers for determining the quality of bee pollen. The MIMBP extract showed DPPH free radical-scavenging activity with a half maximal inhibitory concentration of 54.79 μg/mL.

CONCLUSIONThe MIMBP was found to be a rich source of nutrients providing high caloric value, which makes it a candidate for a potential nutraceutical agent. The study also illustrated the high antioxidant content of MIMBP, especially in the principle polyphenols and flavonoids, which suggests its potential role in the prevention of free radical-implicated diseases. The DPPH-scavenging effect of MIMBP further confirmed its antioxidant potential. Additionally, we developed a simple, specific and accurate HPLC-PDA method for the identification and quantification of free flavonoid aglycones. This can be applied in future screenings of the quality of pollen collected by honeybees.

Animals ; Bees ; chemistry ; Dietary Supplements ; analysis ; Free Radical Scavengers ; analysis ; Mustard Plant ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; Pollen ; chemistry ; Polyphenols ; analysis

The daily pollen counts in the air of Seoul, Korea were measured using a rotorod sampler from June 1990 to July 1992. Two distinct pollen periods were noted: tree pollens such as alder, poplar, willow, oak and pine appeared in the spring from March to May, and weed pollens, such as Artemisia spp., Ambrosia spp. and Hop japanese appeared in the autumn from August to September. Various kinds of grass pollen appeared from June to September. The study indicated that there were two pollen peaks in Seoul composed of tree pollens in spring and weed pollens in autumn.
Air Pollution/*statistics & numerical data ; Allergens/*analysis ; Humans ; Korea ; Plants ; *Pollen/classification ; Seasons

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the species, quantity and diffusion of allergenic pollens as well as the relationship among allergic rhinitis (AR), pollen species and meteorological conditions in Kunming area.

METHODSThe exposure film was used to investigate the species of airborne pollen, the total number of these pollens during December 2009 to November 2010 by means of gravitational sedimentation, at the same time, AR patients were registered. The species of allergic pollen in Kunming area during the same period, and the statistic analysis was made with the meteorological elements, using the correlation analysis methods of Excel for data analysis.

RESULTSFrom December 2009 to November 2010, a total of 60 exposure films of pollen species was found, including 26 147 pollens. The annual airborne pollen showed two scattering peak, respectively: February to April and September to October; the number of advantage pollen was 17 species. The number of year-round drifting pollen was 13 species while 2 species showed two peaks on spring and autumn. There was another 26 new species added to the results of 2009-2010, compared with 1987-1989, while the original 12 species were not seen. The drifting peak was the same. The number of allergen intradermal tests (AIT) positive AR patients was positively correlated with 16 pollen species, respectively, oleaceae, alnus nepalensis, walnut, palm, pig weed, fennel, Amaranthaceae, artemisia, rosa, Albizia julibrissin Durazz, gramineae, castor, Fraxinus L, populus, Morus alba L, hemp humulus, (r value were 0.689 7, 0.550 1, 0.742 1, 0.755 2, 0.771 2, 0.663 3, 0.556 1, 0.568 3, 0.659 8, 0.607 4, 0.834 7, 0.664 3, 0.745 9, 0.634 7, 0.718 3, 0.777 2, all P < 0.05). The population of AIT positive AR patients was positively correlated with average temperature, average wind speed and other meteorological factors (r values were 0.552 0, 0.883 5, both P < 0.05), and was negatively correlated with average relative humidity (r = -0.714 7, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSKunming had a large number of airborne pollen species which showed two peaks annually, respectively, spring and autumn. The relationship among the number of AIT positive AR patients, the meteorological factors and the number of airborne pollen were close.

Allergens ; analysis ; Humans ; Meteorological Concepts ; Pollen ; classification ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal ; diagnosis ; Seasons ; Temperature

OBJECTIVE: To study the type and drift law of airborne pollen in Wuhan, and its relationship to pollinosis. METHOD: From November 2003 to October 2004, an airborne pollen investigation was performed in three districts of Wuhan using gravity sedimentation technique. Meanwhile, univalent shin prick tests of pollens and the study of invasion season were performed in 1200 cases with pollenosis. Among them, 352 cases underwent the airway responsiveness measurements, and the correlation between airway responsiveness and pollen concentration were analyzed. RESULT: A total of 47 pollen colonies were observed and 75,525 pollens were collected. Every year the the peak time of airborne pollen occurred in two seasons: spring (March and April) and autumn (from August to October). The incidence of pollinosis is consistent to pollen peak time; there was a negative relationship between PD20 (the provocative dose to decrease FEV1 by 20% from baseline) and airborne pollen concentration. CONCLUSION The study provides useful information for airborne pollen epidemiology in Wuhan. It provides important insights to clinical prevention, diagnosis and treatment of pollen related allergic diseases.
Allergens ; analysis ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Pollen ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal ; epidemiology ; Skin Tests

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine which allergens were prevalent in patients with allergic rhinitis and respiratory disease in Qingshan Wuhan. METHOD: A total of 700 cases, which were diagnosed as allergic rhinitis and respiratory disease by history and clinical presentation, underwent ELISA test with 7 standardized allergens, and the most important sensitizing allergens were assessed. The samples were stratified on two age groups: AR and respiratory disease group and the positive rate of two main allergens in two groups were contrast analyzed. RESULT: For patients with allergic rhinitis, the positive rate of the top seven aeroallergen were dermatophagoides (47%), herbs (19.7%), tree (18%), animal dander (8.9%), house dust (6.5%), mold (4.9%) and wormwood (3%). There was no significant difference in higher sensitivity to dust mite and ragweed between allergic rhinitis and respiratory disease group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION Dust mite, Tree and Herbs are the most important three aeroallergens in Qingshan region of Wuhan.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Allergens ; analysis ; Antigens, Dermatophagoides ; analysis ; China ; epidemiology ; Dust ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; analysis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pollen ; Prevalence ; Rhinitis ; epidemiology ; Young Adult

The pollen of Artemisia has been considered as the main late summer-autumn allergen source in this country. To identify its allergenic components, Artemisia princeps pollen extracts were separated by 10% sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and transferred to nitrocellulose membrane, where IgE binding components were detected by the reaction with sera of twenty Artemisia-allergic patients and 125I-anti-human IgE, sixteen components in the molecular range of 10,000 and 85,000 daltons were detected. Twelve bands bound to IgE from 50% of the sera tested, and two bands (37,000, 23,000 daltons) showed the highest (85%) frequency of IgE-binding in twenty sera tested. When the gel of SDS-PAGE with Artemisia pollen extracts was sliced into 11 allergenic groups (AG) and the protein of each AG was obtained by the gel elution method, the wormwool-RAST inhibition test showed that the AG 10 demonstrated to be the most potent, and the AG 7 was the next. Six AGs showed significant responses (more than 100% of wheal size to histamine, 1 mg/ml) on the skin prick test in more than 50% of the patients tested. It is suggested that electrophoretic transfer analysis with SDS-PAGE may be a valuable method for Artemisia allergen identification, and the possibility of partial purification of allergens by employing gel elution is discussed.
Blotting, Western/methods ; Electrophoresis, Agar Gel/methods ; Human ; Korea ; Lymphokines ; Plants/immunology ; Pollen/analysis/*immunology ; Skin Tests/methods

The pollen of Artemisia has been considered as the main late summer-autumn allergen source in this country. To identify its allergenic components, Artemisia princeps pollen extracts were separated by 10% sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and transferred to nitrocellulose membrane, where IgE binding components were detected by the reaction with sera of twenty Artemisia-allergic patients and 125I-anti-human IgE, sixteen components in the molecular range of 10,000 and 85,000 daltons were detected. Twelve bands bound to IgE from 50% of the sera tested, and two bands (37,000, 23,000 daltons) showed the highest (85%) frequency of IgE-binding in twenty sera tested. When the gel of SDS-PAGE with Artemisia pollen extracts was sliced into 11 allergenic groups (AG) and the protein of each AG was obtained by the gel elution method, the wormwool-RAST inhibition test showed that the AG 10 demonstrated to be the most potent, and the AG 7 was the next. Six AGs showed significant responses (more than 100% of wheal size to histamine, 1 mg/ml) on the skin prick test in more than 50% of the patients tested. It is suggested that electrophoretic transfer analysis with SDS-PAGE may be a valuable method for Artemisia allergen identification, and the possibility of partial purification of allergens by employing gel elution is discussed.
Blotting, Western/methods ; Electrophoresis, Agar Gel/methods ; Human ; Korea ; Lymphokines ; Plants/immunology ; Pollen/analysis/*immunology ; Skin Tests/methods

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the airborne pollen concentration in Beijing city during autumn and to grade the Artemisia pollen concentration. METHOD: Burkard volumetric trap was used to sample the airborne pollen in Beijing city from August 1st 2007 to October 10th 2007. Patients only allergic to mugwort pollen were followed up, and their symptom scores and the mugwort pollen concentration were analyzed statistically. RESULT: 1) Mugwort and Humulus (including Cannabis Sativa L) were the main airborne pollen during August and September in Beijing city, accounting for 31% and 51%, respectively; 2) Mugwort pollen season was from 8th August to 8th October; 3) The daily peak concentration of Mugwort pollen was 267 g/m3, with an average of 71 g/m3, the daily peak concentration of Humulus pollen was 672 g/m3, with an average of 124 g/m3; 4) 88.5% out-patients suffering from hay fever or asthma during Autumn were allergic to mugwort, 28.2% allergic to Humulus; 5) the grading of airborne Mugwort pollen concentration: 0-14 g/m3 as grade 0, 15-40 g/m3 as grade I, 41-116 g/m3 as grade II, more than 117 g/m3 as grade III. CONCLUSION It was the first time that Burkard volumetric sampler was employed in monitoring Mugwort and Humulus concentration in Beijing city. Average concentration of mugwort pollen was about 100 g/m3, and concentration grade III of mugwort pollen was distributed during the last ten days of August and the beginning of September.
Allergens ; analysis ; Asthma ; prevention & control ; China ; Cities ; Environmental Monitoring ; Humans ; Pollen ; chemistry ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal ; prevention & control ; Seasons