The chemical nature of royal jelly

Abstract

Royal jelly has been separated into 4 main fractions: (1) ether-soluble, (2) water-soluble and dialysable, (3) water-soluble, non-dialysable and (4) water-insoluble. Fraction 1 consists principally of an organic acid (or mixture of acids), M.P. 58[degree], equivalent wt., 178, also small amts. of phenolic material and smaller amts. of beeswax, sterol, phospholipin and a saponifiable substance. Fraction 2, the largest fraction, is about 50% sugars, mostly glucose and fructose, and an unidentified acid, inorganic salts and N compounds. Fraction 3 is protein, whose N distr. was detd.; aspartic acid, arginine and tyrosine were isolated; color tests for tryptophan, cystine and histidine were positive. Fraction 4 is protein, soluble only in alkalis, with positive color tests for tyrosine, tryptophan and arginine. Fraction 1 may contain the physiologically active material responsible for sexual development of the queen bee.