• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.387-394
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• 2019

Objective: This study was to investigate the nutrient ileal digestibility of dried mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae and compare with those of three animal protein by-products in growing pigs. Methods: A total of 12 crossbred ($[Landrace{\times}Yorkshire]{\times}Duroc$) growing pigs with average body weights of $24.12{\pm}0.68kg$ were surgically equipped with simple T-cannulas after being deprived of feed for 24 h according to published surgical procedures. These pigs had a recovery period of two weeks. A total of 12 pigs were assigned to individual metabolic crates and allotted to one of four treatments with 3 replicates in a fully randomized design. Dietary treatments included the following: i) Fish meal, corn-vegetable by-product basal diet+9.95% fish meal; ii) Meat meal, corn-vegetable by-product basal diet+9.95% meat meal; iii) Poultry meal, cornvegetable by-product basal diet+9.95% poultry meal; iv) Tenebrio molitor, corn-vegetable by-product basal diet+9.95% dried Tenebrio molitor larvae. Results: Results showed that the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of Lys was higher (p<0.05) in pigs fed Tenebrio molitor diet than that in pigs fed fish meal diet. Pigs fed Tenebrio molitor diet showed increased (p<0.05) AID of His and Arg compared to pigs fed Fish meal or Meat meal diet. The AID of Cys was increased (p<0.05) in pigs fed poultry meal and Tenebrio molitor diets compared to that in pigs fish meal diet. Pigs fed meat meal, poultry meal, and Tenebrio molitor diets showed higher (p<0.05) standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of total energy compared to pigs fed fish meal diet. The SID of Arg was higher (p<0.05) in pigs fed Tenebrio molitor diet than that in pigs fed fish meal or meat meal diet. Furthermore, pigs fed poultry meal or Tenebrio molitor diets showed increased (p<0.05) SID of Cys compared to pigs fed fish meal diet. Conclusion: In conclusion, providing pigs with diets that contained Tenebrio molitor larvae meal improved AID and SID of nutrients as well as essential and non-essential amino acids. The digestibility of dried mealworm larvae protein and its utilization in vivo are also good. Therefore, dried mealworm larvae protein can be used as protein source at 10% level in growing pigs.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.993-997
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• 2022

This study was conducted to evaluate the structure and composition (i.e., pH, moisture, total-N, pathogens, and volatile fatty acids) of broiler and duck manure treated with larvae of three insect larvae, namely, Tenebrio molitor, Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis, and Ptecticus tenebrifer. Hatched Tenebrio molitor (n=300), Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis (n=60), and Ptecticus tenebrifer (n=300) were used in this study; specially, the larvae were divided into six treatments with three replicates. The treatments were as follows: T1: 110 g broiler manure + Tenebrio molitor larvae (n=50), T2: 110 g duck manure + Tenebrio molitor larvae (n=50), T3: 125 g broiler manure + Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larvae (n=10), T4: 125 g duck manure + Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larvae (n=10), T5: 105 g broiler manure + Ptecticus tenebrifer larvae (n=50), and T6: 105 g duck manure + Ptecticus tenebrifer larvae (n=50). For all the larval treatments, the following results were observed: The moisture content of the duck manure treat with three insect larvae was higher than that of the broiler manure (p<0.05), whereas broiler manure had a higher pH (p<0.05). In addition, the total nitrogen content of broiler manure was higher than that of duck manure (p<0.05). However, the insect larvae did not significantly affect pathogens (E.coli and Salmonella) and the volatile fatty acids (p>0.05). In conclusion, the use of the three insect larvae to create organic nitrogen compost using poultry manure is feasible.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.107-113
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• 2023

Tenebrio molitor, rich in protein, is used as an alternative protein source. Many studies have evaluated Tenebrio molitor larvae (TML) for anti-obesity effects, fatty liver relief, antithrombosis, and antioxidant effects. In this study, we prepared an experimental diet by adding Tenebrio molitor larvae oil (TMLO) to feed and administered it to adult male ICR mice for six weeks. The study assessed the weight gain of mice, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), blood coagulation time, and the activities of coagulation factor VII and coagulation factor XII. The weight gain of mice was suppressed in the groups fed with TMLO, indicating a potential anti-obesity effect. The blood coagulation time was delayed in the TMLO-fed groups, as evidenced by amplified PT and aPTT values. Furthermore, the activities of coagulation factor VII and coagulation factor XII were diminished in the TMLO-treated groups, indicating a potential thrombosis relieving effect. The concentrations of thromboxane B2 and serotonin declined in the TMLO-fed groups, signifying potential blood circulation effects. Finally, blood triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol concentrations were reduced in the TMLO-fed groups. In summary, TMLO supplementation may have an inhibitory effect on liver damage and blood clot formation caused by obesity.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.191-195
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• 2007

This study reveals the unusual case reported for the first time on the selective non digestion of yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae by arowana fish. In January 2005, an Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus) (red variety), from Daesang Tropical Fish Corporation, Seoul, Korea, mortality was observed due to unknown cause. No putative causal factors were suggested by bacteriological and parasitological examinations. Internal examination of the dissected stomach showed some undigested debris with mandible parts of mealworms attached to the mucosal lining of stomach wall. Feeding experiment of yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) was conducted on the silver arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum). Result showed that on the test group, fish released vomitous material containing undigested mandibles of mealworm was observed on the 24th day of the feeding experiment. Histopathological examination of the cross section of the stomach wall layers of the test groups, showed detached parts of the mucosal layer and gastric pits around the damaged area with intact mucularis tissues. While the control group fed with mealworm larvae without head part showed intact stomach wall layers consisting of gastric pit, mucosa and mucularis tissues. Fish on both treatments survived until the termination of experiment. The removal of mealworm larvae head before feeding probably help or aid in the fast digestion of these insect larvae.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2022.09a
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• pp.115-115
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• 2022

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has been estimating the potential of insects as human food and animal feed for convincing food security since 2010. On account of this reason, Tenebrio molitor larvae have been gaining considerable attention as an alternative protein source for various foods. However, consumers do not prefer them because of their disgusting appearance. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a method that improve their appearance as to lead to T. molitor larvae consumption. In this study, T. molitor larvae which is prepared for optimally sampling conditions (shade drying, 30 min boiling after hot air drying, 30 min steaming after hot air drying), were cultured with Cordyceps militaris mycelia, and measured growth and density of mycelial. Also analyzed the cordycepin and adenosine content compared with commercial C. militaris. As a result, T. molitor larvae cultivated with C. militaris mycelia showed the highest cordycepin content (13.75 mg/g) was observed in optimal sampling conditions (shade drying). Therefore, we report that the methods which T. molitor larvae cultivated with C. militaris mycelia not only improve their appearance but also increase cordycepin content, which can be contributed to lead T. molitor larvae consumption.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.888-897
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• 2014

A bacterial community analysis of the gut of Tenebrio molitor larvae was performed using pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. A predominance of genus Spiroplasma species in phylum Tenericutes was observed in the gut samples, but there was variation found in the community composition between T. molitor individuals. The gut bacteria community structure was not significantly affected by the presence of antibiotics or by the exposure of T. molitor larvae to a highly diverse soil bacteria community. A negative relationship was identified between bacterial diversity and ampicillin concentration; however, no negative relationship was identified with the addition of kanamycin. Ampicillin treatment resulted in a reduction in the bacterial community size, estimated using the 16S rRNA gene copy number. A detailed phylogenetic analysis indicated that the Spiroplasma-associated sequences originating from the T. molitor larvae were distinct from previously identified Spiroplasma type species, implying the presence of novel Spiroplasma species. Some Spiroplasma species are known to be insect pathogens; however, the T. molitor larvae did not experience any harmful effects arising from the presence of Spiroplasma species, indicating that Spiroplasma in the gut of T. molitor larvae do not act as a pathogen to the host. A comparison with the bacterial communities found in other insects (Apis and Solenopsis) showed that the Spiroplasma species found in this study were specific to T. molitor.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.609-624
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• 2022

Tenebrio molitor larvae, as known as edible insects, has advantages of being rich in protein, and has been recognized as a suitable alternate protein source for broiler and pig feed. Moreover, given their ability to biodegrade polystyrene, a major pollutant, Tenebrio molitor larvae has been proposed as an innovative solution to environmental problems. In the present study, we investigated the toxicity of Tenebrio molitor larvae powder (TMlp) ingested with expanded-polystyrene (W/ eps) through in vitro and in vivo experiments. The objective of this study was to determine whether TMlp W/ eps can be applied as livestock alternative protein source. For in vitro experiments, cytotoxicity test was performed to investigate the effects of TMlp-extract on the viability of estrogen-dependent MCF-7 cells. The possibility of estrogen response was investigated in two groups: Expanded-polystyrene-fed (W/ eps) TMlp group and without expanded-polystyrene-fed (W/o eps) TMlp group. For in vivo experiments, The male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided based on the dosage of TMlp administered and oral administration was performed to every day for 5 weeks. A toxicological assessments were performed, which included clinical signs, food consumption, body and organ weights, hematology, serum chemistry, and hematoxylin and eosin staining of liver and kidney. There were no specific adverse effect of TMlp W/ eps-related findings under the experimental conditions of this study, but further studies on both sexes and animal species differences should be investigated. In conclusion, TMlp W/ eps was considered non-toxic and observed to be applicable as an alternative protein source for livestock feed.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.62-71
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes on the characteristics of the oxidative stability of Tenebrio molitor larvae during cold storage at $4^{\circ}C$. Pretreatment for T. molitor larvae was designed into three methods: raw (R), freeze-dried (F.D.), and pan-fried (P.F.). The water content of the raw sample (61.46%) was higher than those of other samples (F.D.: 5.02%, P.F.: 3.67%) and its high water content was expected to facilitate the oxidation of the raw sample. In our results, the peroxide value and the carbonyl value of all of the samples increased and the raw sample, after storage for 18 day, showed the highest value. The pan-fried sample had no significant increase in its lactic acid content, acid value, and thiobarbituric acid value; whereas those values were increased in the raw sample and the freeze-dried sample (p<0.05). The browning reaction was more progressed in the pan-fried sample than other samples at 0 day, but there was no significant change during the storage. The raw sample and the freeze-dried sample had their browning indexes increase with the increasing storage period (p<0.05). The pan-fried sample produced less oxidation products than the freeze-dried sample, indicating that the unheated sample was more susceptible to oxidation than the heated samples. In conclusion, heating treatment and low water content would be effective for improving the safety and stability of T. molitor larvae during cold storage.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.121-130
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• 2014

The larval form of Tenebrio molitor (T. molitor) has been eaten in many countries and provides benefits as a new food source of protein for humans. However, no information exists regarding its safety for humans. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the genotoxicity and repeated dose oral toxicity of the freeze-dried powder of T. molitor larvae. The genotoxic potential was evaluated by a standard battery testing: bacterial reverse mutation test, in vitro chromosome aberration test, and in vivo micronucleus test. To assess the repeated dose toxicity, the powder was administered once daily by oral gavage to Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at dose levels of 0, 300, 1000 and 3000 mg/kg/day for 28 days. The parameters which were applied to the study were mortality, clinical signs, body and organ weights, food consumption, ophthalmology, urinalysis, hematology, serum chemistry, gross findings and histopathologic examination. The freezedried powder of T. molitor larvae was not mutagenic or clastogenic based on results of in vitro and in vivo genotoxicity assays. Furthermore, no treatment-related changes or findings were observed in any parameters in rats after 28 days oral administration. In conclusion, the freeze-dried powder of T. molitor larvae was considered to be non-genotoxic and the NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) was determined to be 3000 mg/kg/day in both sexes of SD rats under our experimental conditions.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.989-992
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• 2022

This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of larval stages of three species, namely, Tenebrio molitor, Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis, and Ptecticus tenebrifer larvae, in degrading poultry manure, specially, broiler and duck manure. The survival rates of larvae were also noted. For the experiment, T. molitor (n=300), P. brevitarsis seulensis (n=60), and P. tenebrifer (n=300) hatched larvae were randomly divided into six groups with three replicates. The degaradation efficacy tests were then performed for 30 days in a laboratory. The test groups were as follows: T1, 110 g broiler manure + T. molitor larvae (n=50); T2, 110 g duck manure + T. molitor larvae (n=50); T3, 125 g broiler manure + P. brevitarsis seulensis larvae (n=10); T4, 125 g duck manure + P. brevitarsis seulensis larvae (n=10); T5, 105 g broiler manure + P. tenebrifer larvae (n=50); and T6, 105 g duck manure + P. tenebrifer larvae (n=50). The groups showed significant efficacy in degrading broiler and duck manure (p<0.05). The highest survival rates were recorded for T. molitor larvae in both manure types [T1 (92.67%) and T2 (50%)], followed by P. brevitarsis seulensis larvae (T4, 40%) and P. tenebrifer larvae (T6, 14.67%) in duck manure. Next, the survival rates of P. brevitarsis seulensis (T3) and Ptecticus tenebrifer larvae (T5) in broiler manure were 0%. In conclusion, these results point to the feasibility of using insect larvae to degrade broiler and duck manure.