Micro-quantitative method for analysis of sterol levels in honeybees and their pollen loads

A Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector method for characterization and
micro-quantification of sterols was developed. The applicability of this method was evaluated
for determining sterolic compounds in pollen loads, larvae, and adults of the honeybee.
After a multi-step procedure to extract and purify sterols, the compounds were identified on
the basis of their retention data and quantified on the basis of peak areas from analyses.
Quantifications were feasible with a limited amount of samples, allowing single specimen
analyses and estimation of inter-individual variation. The reliability of this microquantitative
method for sterol analysis was also investigated.