Waters Pico-Tag System

Knowledge graph centered on Waters Pico-Tag System with 69 nodes and 157 connections. Top connected: Bombus, Ligusticum porteri, Bombus terrestris, Bombus appositus, Bombus impatiens.

Method synopsis

Standardized biochemical assays for quantifying protein, lipid, and carbohydrate content in pollen samples. Uses Bradford assay for proteins and sulfo-phospho-vanillin and anthrone-sulfuric acid assays for lipids and carbohydrates respectively.

Synthesized from method descriptions across 2 papers using this protocol.

Procedure from a recent peer-reviewed implementation

Steps below were extracted from the most recent peer-reviewed implementation of this protocol in the corpus — Nutrient niche dynamics among wild pollinators (2025), Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. Implementations in other papers (listed below) may differ.

1. Collect pollen samples for macronutrient analysis
   Pollen was collected from 35 focal plant species over 4 growing seasons (2018-2021). To obtain pure samples, pollen was collected directly from flower anthers, either by brushing it into a vial or by extracting whole anthers. When whole anthers were collected, pollen was subsequently isolated by sieving the contents through a steel mesh filter to remove plant debris. At least 10 mg of pollen was collected for each plant species, with samples pooled within each year.
   Quantities: 35 plant species, 4 growing seasons (2018-2021), minimum 10 mg pollen per species per year, samples pooled annuallyDuration: Collection across 4 growing seasonsConditions: Pollen collected when anthers were mature and dry
   Equipment: collection vials, brushes, steel mesh filters, ultra-cold freezer (-70°C to -80°C)
2. Prepare samples for macronutrient analysis
   For each plant species, three replicate samples (1.00 ± 0.05 mg each) were prepared for protein analysis and another three replicates for combined lipid and carbohydrate analyses. Macronutrient contents were expressed as mass per milligram of pollen (mg nutrient / mg pollen), which allowed for calculation of total macronutrient mass, proportions and ratios for each plant species.
   Quantities: 3 replicates for protein analysis, 3 replicates for lipid/carbohydrate analysis, 1.00 ± 0.05 mg per sampleDuration: Sample preparation conducted prior to biochemical assaysConditions: Samples stored at ultra-cold temperatures until analysis
   analytical balance, sample preparation materials

Typical Equipment

• CB Protein Assay kit (G-Bioscience)
• spectrophotometer
• sulfo-phospho-vanillin assay materials
• anthrone-sulfuric acid assay materials
• ultra-cold freezer (-70°C to -80°C)
• analytical balance

Output Measurements

• protein content
• lipid content
• carbohydrate content
• macronutrient ratios

Papers Using This Protocol (2)

Species Studied With This Protocol