• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.108-114
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• 2022

Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larva is well-known as an edible insect. The present study aimed to explore the immune-enhancing effect of 30% ethanol extract of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larvae (PBE) in RAW264.7 macrophage cells. PBE were not cytotoxic to RAW264.7 cells and nitric oxide production increased on PBE treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, PBE significantly promoted the expression of immune-related mediators (Inos and COX-2) and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) and the phosphorylation of MAPKs (ERK, p38, and JNK). Taken together, the immune-enhancing effects of 30% ethanol extract of PBE in vitro were identified. These findings can be used as data for the development of edible insect-based functional foods that improve immune function.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.935-938
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• 2020

This study investigated the oviposition characteristics of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis after emergence as adults from the larva collected from three regions in Gangwon-do, Chungcheongnam-do, and Jeju-do. The laying egg method was identified with zone breeding, and the average and cumulative number of eggs laid were measured once a week for seven weeks. The average number of eggs laid peaked until 4 weeks, and subsequently decreased. The source areas with respect to average number and cumulative number of eggs laid were in the order of Jeju > Chungnam > Gangwon. In conclusion, this result suggests a method for continuously improving management and economic feasibility of insect farming by securing genetic diversity, and raising the most productive breeds to select individuals form regions associated with high numbers of laid eggs.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.939-941
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• 2020

This study evaluated the effect of four different feeds on the larval weight and survival rate of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis (PBS) over five weeks. Four different types of feed (self-fermentation medium, RM medium, Samsung livestock medium, and bean-curd dregs medium) were given to third-instar larvae of PBS. Weight changes and survival rates of PBS larvae were measured weekly for five weeks. During the experimental period PBS larvae showed the highest growth in Samsung livestock medium, followed by bean-curd dregs medium, RM medium, and self-fermentation medium. Survival rate of PBS larvae were the lowest in bean-curd dregs medium, and then in the Samsung livestock medium. Using the Samsung livestock medium can shorten the delivery period of PBS larvae by approximately 40 days based on the larva shipped on average 75 days. Therefore, this study provides information and data on insect farming techniques useful for insect industrialization.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.215-221
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• 2016

In this study, we used electron microscopic analysis to characterize the hemocytes in the last larva of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis (Colbe) (Cetoniidae, Coleoptera). Granulocytes (GR), plasmatocytes (PL), oenocytoids (OE), spherulocytes (SP), prohemocytes (PR) and adipohemocytes (AD) were classified based on their size and ultrastructural differences in the circulating hemocytes. Many dark granules (<$1{\mu}m$ in diameter) in the GR's cytoplasm were observed and well-developed mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum (ER), nucleus, and Golgi complex were also seen. After microorganisms infected, the GRs were morphologically activated and phagocytosed them. Especially, dark granules (lysosomes) were fused themselves and these bigger granules finally agglomerate together with microorganisms. Other hemocytes seem to have no immune functions.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.113-119
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• 2011

This study was designed to determine the effects of larval extracts from Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis shade dried larva from Korea and China on liver tissues of hepatic injury groups. The experimental groups are divided into five groups; Normal, carbon tetrachloride single injection ($CCl_4$), Pb-CHI ($CCl_4$ + P. brevitarsis shade dried larva from China), Pb-KOR ($CCl_4$ + P. brevitarsis shade dried larva from Korea) and SIL ($CCl_4$ + 0.35% silymarin) groups. Sprague Dawley rats were oral injected with $CCl_4$ at a dose l mg/kg (20% in corn oil) for induction of liver damage for 4 weeks. Each experimental group was fed with a dose 50 mg/kg of larval extracts based on medicinal preparations from 3 weeks to 4 weeks after $CCl_4$ treatment. At the end of 4 weeks, we evaluated the serum levels of glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate-pyruvate transferase (GPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in serum and the cytokine levels of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$) (TNF-${\alpha}$) and transforming growth factor-${\beta}$ (TGF-${\beta}$) in the cells isolated from spleen and liver. The histological analysis was also conducted. The $CCl_4$ injection reduced body weight, induced congestion of middle lobe and hepatocytic degeneration, resulting in disintegration of hepatic cords, and increased biochemical markers of blood related to hepatic injury. On the other hand, the Pb-CHI and Pb-KOR group decreased the levels of biochemical markers in blood and cytokine levels in spleen and liver. Especially, the Pb-KOR group facilitated the recovery of biochemical values of blood related to hepatic injury, hepatic lesions and fibrosis. Taken together, larval extract from P. brevitarsis might prevent acute hepatotoxicity and enhance the recovery of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis induced by $CCl_4$, and the ingredients could be a promising candidate for the prevention and treatment of hepatic disorders.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.60-67
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• 2019

The objective of this study was to verify the stability of nutrient composition by using herbal medicine by-products as an alternative food source and to examine the growth effect on Protaeria brevitarsis seulensis larvae. As a result of comparing the nutritional components of food source, crude protein, crude fat, and crude ash content, except crude fiber content, was high in both non-fermented and fermented medicinal herbal by-products. Especially, crude protein content was highest. Cadmium, lead, mercury, and other heavy metals were not detected and thus stability as alternative food was confirmed. The growth comparison based on the feeding sources showed no significant difference between the fermented oak sawdust fed control group and the herbal medicine by-products fed laboratory group from week 1 to week 3. The weight of a 4 week larva was 0.137 g in the control group and 0.671 g in the laboratory group and so began to reveal differences at a significant level (p<0.05). As a result of comparing weights of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larvae according to the level of herbal medicine by-product addition, HMB40 recorded the heaviest weight in week 7. Statistical analysis showed that there was no significant difference in each body weights of HMB40 and HMB80 at week 5 (p<0.05). These results indicate that if the shipping date of an edible insect is a third instar larva, it arrives at the time of shipment at week 5. Thus feeding HMB40 and HMB80 at the 5th week is the most effective.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.97-104
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• 2018

The larva of the white-spotted flower chafer, Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae), is known to have important medicinal properties, such as anti-cancer activity. However, the consumer market for the larvae is depressed because of its high production cost which needs to be reduced. This study was carried out to evaluate two spent mushroom substrates as food source for chafer larvae to improve the productivity and reduce production cost. The larvae were fed with spent substrates of king oyster mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii) (P-SMS) and shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) (L-SMS), with a control of fermented oak sawdust. Effects of the diets on the development of P. brevitarsis seulensis and contents of minor nutrient components in the larvae produced were examined. In the P-SMS diet, the larval rearing period was shorter at 16.2 days, while the rate of larval weight gain and the cocoon weight were higher at 156.3% and 4.1 g, respectively, than that in the L-SMS diet. The pupation rate was 100% and the adult emergence was higher at 93.3% in the P-SMS diet than in the L-SMS diet with no difference to the control diet. In the P-SMS diet, the total nitrogen content during rearing was higher at 10.28% and the minor nutrient component, particularly Fe (145.8 mg/kg), was higher than that in other diets. The oviposition preference of adults showed no significant difference among the diets. Economic analysis showed that P-SMS costs approximately 667,960 Won less per 100 kg of larvae produced, compared to that of the control diet.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.849-859
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• 2016

Edible insects have gained recognition worldwide as complementary protein sources. Recently, four edible insects were newly allowed to be used as food materials in Korea: the mealworm (Tenebrio molitor), the cricket (Velarifictorus asperses), the white-spotted flower chaffer beetle larva (Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis), and the rhinoceros beetle larva (Allomyrina dichotoma). In this study, we evaluated the oxidative stabilities of these four edible insects during cold storage. The insects were sacrificed by blanching for 3 minutes in boiling water. The blanched insects were then stored at $4^{\circ}C$ in an incubator for 42 days. The color values, titratable acidity, peroxide values, acid values, TBARS, contents of VBN, and total plate counts of the insects were measured at days 0, 2, 4, 7, 10, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42, respectively. Blanching decreases oxidative stresses during storage. At day 0, the white-spotted flower chaffer beetle larva showed the highest values for acid value, TBARS, VBN, and microbial counts. Most of the oxidative indicators were significantly changed at day 14 in all four insects, possibly related with the growth on all microbial plates. Based on microbial safety and the oxidative stabilities of lipids and proteins, optimal storage conditions for the cricket, the white-spotted flower chaffer beetle larva, and the rhinoceros beetle larva were 10~14 days at $4^{\circ}C$. Likewise, the mealworm showed rapid oxidation after day 14, but poor qualities were not observed until day 28.