• 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.32 no.5
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• pp.656-663
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was aimed to compare the nutritional content of the life stages of Tenebrio molitor. Methods: Nutritional element analysis comprised 12 minerals, 18 amino acids, 4 vitamins, and 12 fatty acids in larval, pupal, and adult stages. Nutritional element content was expressed as a percentage of 100 g of sample and determined in raw and freeze-dried samples to assess the food value of the insect. Results: Moisture, crude protein, and crude fat contents in raw samples were 63.5%, 23.19%, and 3.96%, respectively. Moisture content was significantly higher in the adult stage than in larval and pupal stages, whereas crude fat and crude ash contents were lower. Mineral composition of the mealworm showed K, P, and Mg in decreasing order of content, with no differences among life stages. Total amino acid content increased from adult, pupal to larval stages, in order with each stage's growth, without difference in amino acid composition. Seventy-six to 78% of total fatty acid corresponded to unsaturated fatty acids, with oleic acid as the most abundant. In addition, fatty acid content was high in the adult stage, and clear differences were observed between life stages. Finally, vitamins B1 and B3 showed similar content between life stages, whereas vitamin B2 showed a higher content the adult than larval and pupal stages. A higher folate content was observed in pupal and adult stages than in the larval stage. Although freeze-dried samples showed a higher nutritional content than raw samples, both samples were similar in composition and content between life stages, suggesting the suitability of freeze-dried samples for use as food materials. Conclusion: These results may provide a basis for more diversified industrial applications of the Tenebrio molitor.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2013

Although the mealworm larva (Tenebrio molitor) is high protein source, aversion feature of the larva made it difficult for consuming as a food. In this study, we established optimal powder manufacturing process for T. molitor larva for using as a novel food. For this purpose, it should be feed with the bran sterilized by water vapor for 3-5 days, starved without water or food for 3 days, and then the larvae were sterilized before freeze-drying. The sterilized T. molitor was lyophilzed and grinded by a blender. A safety of the powder as a food was validated by evaluation of Raw 264.7 macrophage cytotoxicity using MTS assay. As above results, we propose that optimal powder manufacturing process established in this study can be used in industrial production of T. molitor as a novel food.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2015

As increasing utilization of Tenebrio molitor for industry, establishing effective conditions of indoor mass-rearing system become more important. For this reason, the aim of this study was to identify the physiological characteristics of Tenebrio molitor in different range of temperatures, photoperiods and rearing densities for mass breeding. As a result, their egg had above 70% hatching rate at $17.5{\sim}27.5^{\circ}C$ and the egg period was shown 5~7 days in $25{\sim}35^{\circ}C$. Consequently, in the consideration of the hatching rates and egg periods, the optimal indoor temperature for rearing was $25{\sim}27.5^{\circ}C$. Furthermore, development period of larvae in mass breeding system was shorter than individual breeding system under all the conditions of temperature. Also, the pupal weight was higher in mass breeding system except for $20^{\circ}C$ and $25^{\circ}C$. Considering elasticity of demand and weight of production, the effective condition was mass-breeding system at $25^{\circ}C$. In photoperiodic condition, the shortest of larval period was 157.35 day in 14L : 10D.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.292-309
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to verify the validity of Mealworms as a hospital meal with increased nutrition density. We provided a meal for postoperative patients and conducted analysis of dietary intake and nutritional status of patients and assessment of acceptability of the meal. This study was carried out as a randomized control trial. Patients were supplied either a hospital meal using Mealworms (Experimental group) or a regular hospital meal (Control group). We investigated the administration amounts of parenteral nutrition (PN) and food intake of patients after surgery and measured anthropometry, body composition, and blood tests before surgery and at hospital discharge. We included 34 postoperative patients who were admitted to Gangnam Severance Hospital from March to September. In the groups of patients not supplied with PN, the experimental group ($964.68{\pm}284.6kcal$, $38.82{\pm}12.9g$) had significantly higher dietary calorie and protein intake than the control group ($666.62{\pm}153.7kcal$, $24.47{\pm}4.9g$)(P<0.05). Additionally in the group of patients not supplied with PN, the experimental group (1.37%) showed a significantly higher increase in fat free mass index than the control group (-3.46%)(P<0.05). In all subjects, calorie density and protein density were significantly higher in the experimental group (P<0.001), and acceptability of calorie (P=0.036) and protein (P=0.001) was also significantly higher in the experimental group. Therefore, the results of this study support the validity of the introduction of hospital meals using Mealworms.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.297-307
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• 2018

The aim of this study was to develop a seasoning paste fermented by Aspergillus oryzae and Bacillus subtilis using three edible insects: Tenebrio molitor larvae, Gryllus bimaculatus, and Bombyx mori pupa. No significant changes in pH and titratable acidity were observed between the insect pastes and soybean control during a 5-week fermentation process. The amino nitrogen was 0.35-0.50% (w/w) in the early stage of the fermentation and increased to 0.72-0.78%. The total nitrogen was 2.36-3.62% (w/w) in the early stage and was preserved during the fermentation period. Free amino acids of the insect pastes were similar to those in soybean paste. In general, the fermented insect pastes showed a lower flavor and color than soybean paste but B. mori pupa-fermented paste did not show any significant difference in preference from soybean. Glutamate, aspartate, lysine, phenylalanine, arginine, and serine were found to affect taste preference. It was possible to ferment edible insect protein to produce a fermented seasoning paste like Korean doenjang.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.86-92
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• 2021

In order to utilize edible insect larvae as a functional material, the antioxidant components and activities of Tenebrio molitor larvae extracts were evaluated. The total phenolic content of the extract by ethanol concentration (95%, 70%, 50%, water) of T. molitor larvae powder was the highest in the 50% ethanol extract at 459.23 ± 1.05 mg%, and the total flavonoid content was the highest in the water extract at 19.86 ± 0.69 mg%. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of T. molitor larvae powder extract was the highest in 70% ethanol extract at 82.60 ± 0.00%, followed by water, 50% ethanol, and 95% ethanol extract. The ABTS radical scavenging activity in 50% ethanol and water extract was highest at 97.57 ± 0.16% and 95.33 ± 0.41%, respectively, with no significant difference. Significantly, the reducing power was the highest in water extracts, followed by 50%, 70%, and 95% ethanol extract. The results confirmed the antioxidant components and antioxidant activities of T. molitor larvae have been identified, indicating that it is worth using as a functional material.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.2_spc
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• pp.332-346
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• 2022

Shortage of protein feed resources is the major challenge to the world farm animal industry. Insects are known as an alternative protein source for poultry. A wide range of insects are available for use in poultry diets. Insect larvae thrive in manure, and organic waste, and produce antimicrobial peptides to protect themselves from microbial infections, and additionally these peptides might also be functional in poultry feed. The feed containing antimicrobial peptides can improve the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal health, and immune function in poultry. Insect meal contains a higher amount of essential amino acids compared to conventional feedstuffs. Black soldier fly, mealworm, housefly, cricket/Grasshopper/Locust (Orthoptera), silkworm, and earthworm are the commonly used insect meals in broiler and laying hen diets. This paper summarizes the nutrient profiles of the insect meals and reviews their efficacy when included in poultry diets. Due to the differences in insect meal products, and breeds of poultry, inconsistent results were noticed among studies. The main challenge for proper utilization, and the promising prospect of insect meal in poultry diet are also addressed in the paper. To fully exploit insect meal as an alternative protein resource, and exert their functional effects, modes of action need to be understood. With the emergence of more accurate and reliable studies, insect meals will undoubtedly play more important role in poultry feed industry.

• 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.