Season and Geographic Region Impact Protein 1 Content, Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Effect of Royal Jelly From Fujairah Emirates

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 Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus 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 vary with environmental factors, supporting MRJP1 as a potential associative biomarker for RJ quality.