• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.1349-1355
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• 2006

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of methanol extract of Allomyrina dichotoma larva (MEAL) on carbon tetrachloride $(CCl_4)-induced$ hepatotoxicity in mice. ICR mice were divided into 5 groups [Vehicle control, $CCl_4\;(10{\mu}g/g)$ alone, $CCl_4$ plus a low dose $(50{\mu}g/g)$ of MEAL, $CCl_4$ plus a high dose $(100{\mu}g/g)$ of MEAL]. Silymarin $(2{\mu}g/g)$ was used as the reference in the experiment. Administration of MEAL tended to decrease the serum alanine transaminase (ALT) activity induced by $CCl_4$ treatment in mice. Hepatic concentration of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) in a high-dose group of diet decreased to the level of silymarin-treated group. Hepatic activity of glutathione S-transferase in MEAL-treated group was lower than that of $CCl_4-treated$ group. Serum concentration of bilirubin was significantly increased by $CCl_4$ treatment, but MEAL or silymarin recovered the level. These results suggest that MEAL may exert the protective effect against $CCl_4-induced$ hepatotoxicity in mice. However, more intensive studies would be needed to elucidate the protective mechanism of the beetle on hepatotoxicity of mice.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.334-338
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• 2017

In this study, the nutritional components of Tenebrio molitor, Protaetia brevitarsis, and Allomyrina dichotoma larvae, which have been registered as novel foods, were analyzed and compared to expand the diversity of selection criteria for edible insects. The contents of crude components, amino acids, fatty acids, and minerals were analyzed. According to the results of comparative analysis of edible insects, crude proteins were abundant in all three kinds of insects. The content of crude fat was the highest in T. molitor, and the content of carbohydrate was the highest in A. dichotoma. When comparing the composition of amino acids, total amino acid content and essential amino acids were the highest in T. molitor larvae. In T. molitor and P. brevitarsis larvae, the compositions of fatty acids were similar, with higher amounts of unsaturated fatty acids than in A. dichotoma. In terms of mineral content, A. dichotoma contained the highest amounts of calcium and iron, whereas P. brevitarsis contained the highest amounts of phosphorus and potassium. With these results, it is expected that edible insects could be selected according to nutritional demand. In addition, multiple combinations of edible insects will offer a richer intake of nutrients.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.156-164
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• 2013

Actinomycetes produce diverse secondary metabolites which have the primary importance in medicine, agriculture and food production, and key to this is their ability to interact with other organisms in natural habitats. In this study, we have investigated the taxonomical and functional diversity of actinomycetes in fecal sample of rhinoceros beetle larvae (Allomyrina dichotoma L.) by using culture-dependent and -independent approaches. For the culture-independent approach, the community DNA was extracted from the sample and 16S rRNA genes of actinomycetes were amplified using actinomycetes-specific PCR primers. Thirty-seven clones were classified into 15 genera and 24 species of actinomycetes. For the culture-dependent approach, 53 strains were isolated from larval feces, of which 27 isolates were selected based on morphological characteristics. The isolates were classified into 4 genera and 14 species, and 24 isolates (89%) were identified as the genus Streptomyces. Many of the representative isolates had antimicrobial activities against plant pathogenic fungi and Gram-positive bacteria. In addition, most of the isolates (78%) showed biochemical properties to hydrolyze cellulose and casein. The results demonstrated that diverse and valuable actinomycetes could be isolated from insect fecal samples, indicating that insect guts can be rich sources for novel bioactive compounds.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.426-431
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• 2013

With the objective of developing a functional food source, we established optimal processing conditions for the larvae of Allomyrina dichotoma, which have been used in traditional medicine to treat hepatic disorders in Korea. Without suitable processing, the larvae are difficult to consume as a food because of their disgusting taste and smell; moreover, in this form they might be a potential microbial hazard. In this study, we investigated the effect of feeding material, sterilization, and powdering after freeze-drying on the food quality of the larvae of A. dichotoma and on cytotoxicity against Raw 264.7 cells. Three to five days feeding with the sawdust from discarded oak-trees is sufficient for the breeding process. The sawdust was sterilized by vapor for five minutes. Sterilization of the larvae at a high temperature ($115^{\circ}C$ for 5 min, 0.9 $kgf/cm^2$) is necessary to eliminate pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The results of the cytotoxicity assay showed no toxicity in the prepared extract from larvae of A. dichotoma. In addition, to prepare the larvae for human consumption, various feeds were used and the smell, color, and taste were evaluated. Our results suggested that larvae of A. dichotoma could be developed as food source when a suitable processing method is established.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Entomolohy Conference
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• 2004.05a
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• pp.112-112
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• 2004

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.702-707
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• 2017

Insects and their extract have been traditionally used as medicinal resources in Asia. Recently, Gryllus bimaculatus and the larva of Tenebrio molitor, Protaetia brevitarsis, and Allomyrina dichotoma were enlisted as general food ingredients by Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. As the interest in these insects is growing, the detailed investigation is needed for the standardization of suitable and safe rearing techniques. This survey was conducted via personal interviews about edible insect rearing farms in Korea. The basic feed is fermented oak sawdust for P. brevitarsis and A. dichotoma and wheat bran for T. molitor. The various feed additives are blended with each farm's own recipes. The overall growth condition, including sawdust fermentation method, feeding period, and rearing density, varies among the investigated farms. It seems that weight of last instar larva was correlated with the rearing density and duration of the larval period. The heavy metal contents were analyzed after 48 hour starvation and they were very small amount or not detected in investigated insects. We believe that the present data will contribute to develop and standardize the safe rearing techniques of edible insects in Korea.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.210-221
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• 2020

This research was executed to select beneficial antagonists from digestive organ of Allomyrina dichotoma larva that can be put on environment friendly control against phytopathogenic fungi. We screened 38 bacterial strains inhibiting mycelial growth against eight plant pathogens through dual culture assay. The 10 strains among 38 bacterial strains were selected as beneficial microbes showing antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea, Plasmodiophora brassicae, Colletotrichum acutatum and Phytophthora capsici through under greenhouse pot trials. The 10 bacterial strains that shown strongest antifungal activity were classified into 3 genera and 10 species, and identified as the genus Bacillus (DM146, DM152, DH2, and DH16), Paenibacillus (DF30, DH14, and DM142) and Streptomyces (DF137, DM48, and DH92) by morphological characteristics and 16s rRNA gene sequence. The 10 bacterial strains had solubilizing activity of insoluble phosphates, production of IAA (indole-3-acetic acid), β-1,3-glucanase and protease. Among the 10 bacterial strains, DM152 strain was produced significant enhancement of all growth parameters of chili pepper and tomato seedlings under greenhouse condition. Thus, this study demonstrated that gut microbes of Allomyrina dichotoma larva will be useful as a potential biocontrol agent against plant pathogens and biofertilizer.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.307-316
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• 2015

Beetle larvae have been used as a traditional medicine to treat various human liver diseases. To prove the liver protective function of Allomyrina dichotoma larvae (ADL), we induced liver damage by the intraperitoneal injection of a hepatotoxic reagent, diethylnitrosamine (DEN), to C3H/HeN male mice and orally administered freeze-dried ADL powder. ADL powder lessened DEN-induced hepatotoxicity considering the reduced signs of acute and chronic hepatotoxicities, such as the ALP level in the blood serum, TUNEL-positive hepatocytes, ductural reactions, steatotic hepatocytes, and collagen deposition of the Masson’s trichrome staining. In addition to hepatoprotection, the anti-cancer activity of ADL has been examined. The ADL powder was extracted with ethanol and then fractionated with hexane, ethyl acetate, and water by a solvent partition technique. The ethyl acetate fraction showed cytotoxicity to various cancer cells through induction of apoptosis and necrosis, as well as the perturbed metabolism of the cancer cell to trigger autophagy. Collectively, ADL contains bioactive substances that can protect hepatocytes from toxic chemicals and trigger cell death in cancer cells. Thus, further purification and analyses of ADL fractions could lead to the identification of novel bioactive compounds.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.480-485
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• 2019

The present study was conducted to compare antioxidant capacities of protein hydrolysates from four different edible insects (Protaetia brevitarsis larvae, Allomyrina dichotoma larvae, Gryllus bimaculatus imago, and Tenebrio molitor larvae) which have recently been registered as food varieties in Korea. Protein hydrolysates were prepared from each insect using enzymatic hydrolysis using alcalase, and were then separated into a fraction containing ${\leq}3kDa$. According to $RC_{50}$ values and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity results obtained from five different antioxidant analyses, the Gryllus bimaculatus (GB) hydrolysate showed relatively high levels of antioxidant capacity and, in particular, the GB hydrolysate showed considerably strong antioxidant activities in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and in ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The GB hydrolysate also showed the strongest inhibitory effect on peroxidation of linoleic acid, and its rate of inhibition at $100{\mu}g/mL$ on day 3 of treatment was 60.26%. These results suggest that protein hydrolysates from edible insects including GB represent potential sources of natural antioxidants.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.271-277
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• 2020

The Purpose of this study was to examine the survival rate and weight of rhinoceros beetle larvae by irradiating X-rays which are most commonly used in diagnosing and treating for diseases. Subjectts and Methods: In early April 2019, the rhinoceros beetle larvae 41 were classified into two groups as control group (11 larvae) and irradiated group (10 Gy, 20 Gy, 30 Gy, each 10 larvae). The irradiated group was exposed by 6 MV X-ray using linear accelerators (Clinac IS, VERIAN, USA) at the University Hospital in Daejeon (Source-surface distance 96 cm, field size 18 × 10 cm, dose rate 600 MU/min), after environmental adaptation for 3 days (temperature 20.6℃, humidity 64.3%). The survival rate and weight were measured weekly after irradiating X-ray. All statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS ver. 22.0 (Chicago, IL, USA). The weight was analysed by Independent T-test, by cross-sectional analysis for survival rates between control and X-ray irradiated groups. Also, the correlation between dose and weight was analyzed by Spearman test. In 3-week after irradiating X-ray, weight was significant difference between control group and irradiated group (10 Gy or 20 Gy, p < 0.05; and 30 Gy, p < 0.01) with increasing weight in all experimental groups. In 14-week, weight was increased in the control group, but decreased in irradiated group. weight was significant difference between control group and irradiated group. The survival rate in 3-week was decreased rapidly in all experimental group except 10 Gy, to 4-week in irradiated group. The control group had no change in survival rate 54.5% from 3-week to 14-week. From the 3-week, it showed lower survival rate with increasing radiation dose in irradiated group. In 19-week, survival rate of control group and 10 Gy was 45.4% and 30.0% respectively, all died in 20 Gy and 30 Gy. Weight was significantly negative correlated with radiation dose as longer time after irradiating X-ray. The weight and survival rate of rhino beetle larvae is affected by irradiating X-rays, weight and survival rate decreased more in higher dose.