• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.537-542
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• 2019

Proteins were isolated from four species of edible insects, Bombyx mori, B; Tenebrio molitor, T; Protaetia brevitarsis, P; and Gryllus bimaculatus, G, and their properties were analyzed and compared with those of whey proteins. The yield of the protein isolated from raw materials was 65.0-75.0%. Among three branched chain amino acids (BCAA), the amounts of valine in all the insects were similar to that of the whey protein. The BCAA content was 16.8 and 16.4% in G and T, respectively. The total polyphenolic content and the antioxidant activity of the insect proteins were significantly higher than those of the whey proteins. Based on the sensory test of the protein powder, the whey protein could be replaced by 25% of the isolated protein from the insects, but the taste and flavor needs to be improved. Although the BCAA content of insect proteins was lower than that of the whey protein (by 73-76%), their application could be useful because of high polyphenolic content and the anti-oxidative activity.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.357-368
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• 2022

We investigated the developmental characteristics of super mealworm (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) at four different temperatures (25℃, 27℃, 30℃, and 33℃). The rearing conditions were 9L/15D, 65% RH, and 1,330 to 1,800 lux with wheat bran. The length of developmental period of 1 to 18 instars at each temperature showed that 30℃ was the shortest at 120.0±5.8 days, compared to that at 27℃ (132.6±10.7 days), 33℃ (136.5±9.2 days), and 25℃ (156.7±7.5 days). The larval developmental period was statistically significantly longer at 25℃, 27℃, and 30℃ compared to the length at 33℃. However, the death rate of larvae at 33℃ was 2.7-3.3 times higher than the rate at other temperatures. Body weight was heaviest at 30℃ followed by 27℃, 33℃, and 25℃. The patterns of head capsule, body capsule, and body length were similar to that of body weight. Regression analyses of developmental period, larval body weight, and length according to temperature revealed 29-30℃ as the most suitable temperature. The prepupa rate was 43.1% in 17 instars, 30.3% in 18 instars, 15.4% in 16 instars, 7.1% in 19 instars, 2.2% in 15 instars, and 1.9% in 20 instars, accounting for 88.8% in 16-18 instars. Prepupal period was longer at lower temperatures. For the average prepupal period of 15-18 instars, prepupa time was 18.8±1.9 days at 27℃, 18.8±2.3 days at 30℃, 23.0±2.4 days at 33℃, and 23.1±2.9 days at 25℃. The average pupal period of females and males was 11.1±2.2 and 11.6±2.4 days, respectively. The data indicate that the most suitable rearing temperature of super mealworm was 30℃.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.804-812
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• 2020

The giant mealworm beetle, Zophobas atratus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) has been used as a protein source for small pets and mammals. Recently, it was temporarily registered in the list of the Food Code. We previously performed an in silico analysis of the Zophobas atratus transcriptome to identify putative antimicrobial peptides and identified several antimicrobial peptide candidates. Among them, we assessed the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of zophobacin 1 that was selected bio-informatically based on its physicochemical properties against microorganisms and mouse macrophage Raw264.7 cells. Zophobacin 1 showed antimicrobial activities against microorganisms without inducing hemolysis and decreased the nitric oxide production of the lipopolysaccharide-induced Raw264.7 cells. Moreover, ELISA and Western blot analysis revealed that zophobacin 1 reduced expression levels of pro-inflammatory enzymes such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). We also investigated expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6 and interleukin-1β) production through quantitative real time-PCR and ELISA. Zophobacin 1 markedly reduced the expression level of cytokines through the regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling. We confirmed that zophobacin 1 bound to bacterial cell membranes via a specific interaction with lipopolysaccharides. These data suggest that zophobacin 1 could be promising molecules for development as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory therapeutic agents.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.200-207
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• 2015

Various natural products or their derivatives, mostly originating from plants, fungi, and bacteria, have been exploited as therapeutic drugs to treat various human diseases. In addition to previously explored organisms, research on natural compounds has now expanded into unexamined living organisms in order to identify novel bioactive substances. Here, we determined whether or not the larval form of the mealworm beetle Tenebrio molitor, a species of darkling beetle, contains cytotoxic substances that exclusively affect cancer cell viability. Ethanol extract and its solvent partitioned fractions, hexane and ethyl acetate fractions, showed anticancer effects against various human cancer cells derived from the prostate (PC3 and 22Rv1), cervix (HeLa), liver (PLC/PRF5, HepG2, Hep3B, and SK-HEP-1), colon (HCT116), lung (NCI-H460), breast (MDA-MB231), and ovary (SKOV3). Cell death induced by the fractions was a mix of apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy. The hexane fraction was administered intraperitoneally to nude mice bearing a hepatocellular carcinoma SK-HEP-1 and showed inhibition of tumor growth in vivo. Therefore, we concluded that worm extracts contain cytotoxic substances, which can be enriched by proper fractionation protocols, and further separation and purification could lead to the identification of novel molecules to treat human cancers.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.860-866
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• 2020

This study examined the characteristics of eggs obtained from layer chickens reared with feed that included Tenebrio molitor larvae, which were in turn bred using feed that included dried food waste powder. The eggs showed a tendency to be slightly thinner in the treated groups, but the Haugh unit indicating freshness was higher in the treated groups than the control group, and the 5% larval-treated group showed the highest value. The color of the yolk tended toward higher redness, lower brightness, and lower yellowness in the 5%-treated group, which also showed similar crude fat and protein values to the control group; the 10%- and 15% larval-treated groups had lower crude fat and protein values, although the carbohydrate content was higher. Structural amino acids in the treated groups showed a higher ratio of non-essential amino acids to essential amino acids than the control. The polyphenol content, which is an index of antioxidants, was highest in the 5%-treated group, and it is thought that this may affect the storage and antioxidant properties of the eggs. Thus, when employed with a feed source to maintain high protein and high fat, T. molitor larvae may cause critical changes in the nutrient content of eggs and improve their freshness.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.94-102
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• 2022

Defatted soybean, larvae of brown mealworm (Tenebrio molitor), and powdered pupae of silkworm (Bombyx mori) were fermented in solid and liquid forms using Aspergillus oryzae and Bacillus subtilis. The protein degradation rate (NDR) through solid fermentation was the highest in the fermented soybean control sample (54.69±6.54%), followed by silkworm pupae (34.82±5.99%) and brown mealworm larvae (30.54±3.80%). When these edible insects were fermented in liquid form, solid extraction yield was 37.73-46.88%, and protein yield was 47.47-63.02%. NDR of fermented liquid form products increased to 58.90, 52.62, and 50.13% for soybean, brown mealworm larvae, and silkworm pupae, respectively. SDS-PAGE of the liquid fermented products confirmed that microbial fermentation decomposed higher-molecular-weight proteins into small polypeptides. In vitro digestibility of liquid forms of edible insects increased by 1.26 to 1.53 times after fermentation. The protein solubility, foaming ability, and foam stability of liquid-fermented edible insects all tended to increase through fermentation.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.130-130
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• 1991

현미를 사료로하여 네가지 정온도조정에서(25, 28, 34, 36$^{circ}C$ $pm$0.5$^{\circ}C$, RH 70%)에서 거짓쌀도둑(Tribilium castaneum Herbst)의 각 충태별 평균발육기간($\pm$SE)을 산출하였으며, 이를 기초로하여 발육임계온도를 추정하였다. 난의 평균발육기간은 각 온도에서 7.6$\pm$0.25, 4.8$\pm$0.10, 3.0$\pm$0.03, 2.5$\pm$0.09일, 유충에서 각각 53.3$\pm$1.49, 33.4$\pm$0.57, 30.6$\pm$0.70, 31.0$\pm$1.18일, 용에서 각각 12.1$\pm$0.17, 7.8$\pm$0.09, 5.0$\pm$0.07일로 산출되었으며, 난에서 성충우화시기까지의 전발육기간은 각각72.3$\pm$1.67, 46.0$\pm$0.05, 39.4$\pm$0.64, 38.7$\pm$1.15일로 산출되었다. 난과 용의 발육기간은 밀과 옥수수같은 다른 식이조건에서와 유사하였으나, 섭식을 하는 유충기의 발육은 밀보다 현미에서 상대적으로 지체되는 현상을 보였다. 한편 현미를 섭취했을 경우, 밀을 섭취했을 때 보다 발육중 치사율이 높아 밀에 비해 현미가 저급의 식물임을 보여주었다. 거짓쌀도둑 난, 유충 용 및 전발육기간의 저온발육임게온도는 각 충태 공히 20.0$^{\circ}C$로 산출되었으며, 유충과 전발육기간의 고온발육임계온도는 각각 40.2$^{\circ}C$와 41.9$^{\circ}C$로 추정되었다. 영기수는 온도에 상관없이 최빈치 7회를 나타냈지만, 온도의 상승에 따라 7회 이상 탈피하는 비율이 높아지는 경향을 보였다. 성비는 온도와 무관한 것으로 나타났다.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.435-441
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• 2017

The present study was carried out to evaluate the applicability of Tenebrio molitor larvae (mealworm) as a health functional food material in order to contribute to the development of the domestic insect industry and health functional food industry. Protein hydrolysates were prepared from mealworm powder by enzymatic hydrolysis using five different proteases (alcalase, bromelain, flavourzyme, neutrase, and papain), and the hydrolysates were then tested for their antioxidant activities. Based on available amino group contents and sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analyses, mealworms treated with alcalase ($4,781.39{\mu}g/mL$), flavourzyme ($5,429.35{\mu}g/mL$), or neutrase ($3,155.55{\mu}g/mL$) for 24 h showed high degree of hydrolysis (HD) value, whereas HD values of bromelain ($1,800{\mu}g/mL$) and papain-treated ($1,782.61{\mu}g/mL$) mealworms were much lower. Protein hydrolysates showing high HD values were further separated into > 3 kDa and ${\leq}3kDa$ fractions by a centrifugal filter system and then lyophilized, and the production yields of the low molecular weight protein hydrolysates (${\leq}3kDa$) by alcalase, flavourzyme, and neutrase were 42.05%, 26.27%, and 30.01%, respectively. According to the RC_{50} values of the protein hydrolysates (${\leq}3kDa$) obtained from three different antioxidant analyses, all three hydrolysates showed similar antioxidant activities. Thus, alcalase hydrolysates showing the highest production yield of low molecular weight protein hydrolysates were further tested for their inhibitory effects on peroxidation of linoleic acid by measuring thiobarbituric acid values, and the results show that peroxidation of untreated linoleic acid increased dramatically during 6 days of incubation. However, pretreatment with the hydrolysates ($100{\sim}800{\mu}g/mL$) significantly inhibited linoleic acid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner over 6 days.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.191-198
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• 2024

To verify the nutritional value and safety of larvae fed with a soymilk residue-added food source, we compared and analyzed the nutritional components of and harmful substances in Tenebrio molitor larvae reared on wheat bran. Crude protein content based on dry weight was 1.2 times higher in the 10% soymilk residue-fed group (SR) (54.0%) than in the wheat bran-fed group (WB) (43.5%). Dietary fiber also tended to be 1.9 times more in the SR (4.9%) than the WB (2.5%). Among unsaturated fatty acids, the linoleic acid content was found to be 1.1-fold higher in the SR (32.9%) than in the WB (29.0%). Potassium, which was the most abundant among the macro minerals, was 1.1-fold more abundant in the WB (1,074.5 mg/100 g) than in the SR (1,014.0 mg/100 g). Among the micro minerals, zinc content was 1.2-fold higher in the SR (14.5 mg/100 g) than in the WB (11.9 mg/100 g). The results of the analysis of hazardous substances in the WB and SR revealed that the amount of heavy metals met the standards for heavy metals in edible insects, and food poisoning-inducing bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. were not detected in all groups. These results indicate that mealworm larvae fed with 10% soymilk residue have abundant nutrients and are safe for intake. Thus, food sources with added soymilk residue has the potential to be used as feed ingredients.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.1378-1385
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• 2019

The nutritional composition and optimal eating stage of the super mealworm, Zophobas atratus (Coleoptera : Tenebrionidae), were investigated to explore its use as a food ingredient. It was determined that 10^th instar larvae were most suitable for eating in terms of nutritional value as well as economic aspects. To improve the quality of powder production, the nutritional value of 10^th instar larvae before and after degreasing was analyzed. After drying the larvae powder, crude protein was the most abundant nutrient both before (52.3%) and after (60.6%) degreasing while crude fat measured 36.3% and 21.7% before and after degreasing, respectively. In terms of essential amino acids, leucine levels were highest and 1.3 times greater after degreasing (4.5%) than before (3.5%). Oleic acid, the highest unsaturated fatty acid in larvae, was 31.7% after degreasing which was 1.1 times higher than before (33.2%). Among various major minerals, potassium was most abundant and 1.4 times higher after degreasing (1267.0 mg/100 g) than before (879.3 mg/100 g). Harmful substances were 1.3 to 2.0 times lower in the degreased larvae, although mercury or pathogenic bacteria were not detected in either group. We therefore conclude that degreased Z. atratus larvae are more suitable for eating than before degreasing.