• 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.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.490-500
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• 2020

Objective: To investigate effect of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae hydrolysate on nutrient ileal digestibility compared to those of dried mealworm larvae meal, fermented poultry by-product, and hydrolyzed fish soluble in growing pigs. Methods: A total of 12 crossbred ([Landrace×Yorkshire]×Duroc) growing pigs with average body weight of 28.70±0.32 kg were surgically equipped with simple T-cannulas. 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. Results: Apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of dry matter (DM) was the highest in pigs fed HML diet. AIDs of crude protein (CP) were higher in pigs fed HML and DMLM diets than those in pigs fed the other two diets. AID of total amino acid was higher (p = 0.06) in pigs fed HML diet. AIDs of lysine (Lys), methionine (Met), and threonine (Thr) were similar in pigs fed DMLM and HML diets, but were higher (p = 0.05, p<0.05, and p = 0.05, respectively) than those in pigs fed FPBM or HFS diet. Pigs fed HML diet had higher standardized ileal digestibilities (SIDs) of DM and CP (p<0.05 and p<0.05, respectively) compared to pigs fed the other FPBM and HFS diets. SIDs of total amino acid were not different (p = 0.06) between treatments. For SIDs of Lys, Met, and Thr, pigs fed HML and DMLM diets showed higher SIDs (p = 0.05, p<0.05, and p<0.05, respectively) than pigs fed FPBM and HFS diets. SIDs of non-essential amino acids (aspartic acid, glycine, and alanine) were higher (p<0.05, p<0.05, and p<0.05, respectively) in pigs fed HML, FPBM, and DMLM diets than those in pigs fed the HFS diet. AID and SID of glutamic acid were higher in pigs fed HML and FPBM diets. Conclusion: In conclusion, dietary supplementation of mealworm larvae hydrolysate had higher digestibility in DM, CP, Lys, Met, and Thr compared to dietary supplementation with fermented poultry by-product and hydrolyzed fish soluble.

• 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.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.100-115
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• 2015

The main purpose of this study is to establish fundamental data for the development of processed food using mealworm after examination of preferences and purchased intention according to two types of cooking methods (saute and oven) and three shapes (original, chapping, and powder) of cooked mealworm. In particular, this study aims to facilitate the establishment of target market strategies about edible insects bringing food neophobia. The results show that males' and older persons' preferences and purchases intention were higher than those of female and younger people. The group having high health involvement and low food neophobia had higher preferences and purchase intentions than the group having low health involvement and high food neophobia. In addition, customers had highest preferences and purchase intention with powdered mealworm regardless of cooking methods and customers' characteristics. These research findings provide food developer with meaningful data for market targeting.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.367-373
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• 2014

In order to investigate the impact of recycling agricultural wastes as feed for mealworm (Tenebrio molitor), we evaluated the replacing effect by the different level of tangerine shell, Chinese cabbage, king oyster mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii) and Enoki mushroom (Flammulina velutipes) substrates on wheat bran feed. Larval survival rate, larval weight, developmental period of larva, pupation rate and pupal weight were evaluated. In tangerine shell and Chinese cabbage replacement group, no replacing effects found. In all groups replacing by spent King oyster mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii) substrate, survival rate of larva was similar to that of control group but larvae weighed less than control group significantly. Developmental period of larva increases in the group of King oyster mushroom substrate replacement. Larval and pupal weight in Enoki mushroom (Flammulina velutipes) substrate by the level of 40 and 50%, replacement effect showed best results in successive breeding considering pupation rate. It is concluded that replacing 40 and 50% of Enoki mushroom (Flammulina velutipes) substrate is appropriate to substituted diet of Tenebrio molitor larvae.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.534-543
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• 2015

Recently, the Tenebrio molitor larva was recognized as a novel food ingredient by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in Korea. Accordingly, we investigated its physical and sensory characteristics to establish the cooking conditions that may increase the demand of T. molitor larvae as a food. In this study, T. molitor larvae were cooked by various methods such as hot air dry, oven-broil, roast, pan fry, deep fry, boil, steam, and by microwave. In the physical evaluation of texture, the hardness and fracturability values were highest when larvae were cooked in the microwave. The adhesiveness, springiness, and chewiness values were highest when larvae were boiled. Boiled and steamed larvae had the highest lightness (L value), while oven-broiled larvae had the highest redness (a value) and yellowness (b value) values. Sensory evaluations assessed the appearance, aroma, flavor, and texture of cooked T. molitor larvae. Steamed and boiled larvae sizes were significantly large and the form was well preserved similar to fresh larvae. The moisture heat cooked (steamed and boiled) T. molitor larvae had the aroma and flavor of steamed corn, canned pupa, and boiled mushroom. In case of oven-broiled T. molitor larvae, the aroma and flavor of mealworm oil, seafood, sweet and roasted sesame were higher than in those cooked by other methods. In texture among sensory evaluation, the hardness and crispiness were the highest in the hot air dried and oven-broiled larvae, whereas juiciness was significantly higher in the boiled and steamed. Accordingly, we suggest that oven-broiled T. molitor larva will be prefered by consumer, due to its the rich aroma and flavor.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.12.1-12.8
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• 2020

Background: An 8-week feeding trial was designed to evaluate the potential of yellow mealworm (MW; Tenebrio molitor) as a locally available nutrient-rich feedstuff for rainbow trout fry (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Methods: Triplicate groups of fish (mean ± SE; 1.11 ± 0.01 g) were assigned to each of the five isonitrogenous and isocaloric practical diets containing graded level of a full fat MW (0, 7, 14, 21, and 28%) at the expense of fish meal (designated as MW0, MW7, MW14, MW21, and MW28, respectively). Results: Fish growth performance in terms of weight gain and specific growth rate significantly increased with increasing dietary MW level up to 14% and then declined when dietary MW levels further increased to 28%. Significantly higher protein efficiency ratio and lower feed conversion ratio were found in fish fed with diets containing MW compared to fish fed the control MW0. Myeloperoxidase activity was significantly higher in fish fed MW7 diet compared to fish fed the MW0 diet. Fish fed the MW14 and MW28 diets had significantly higher lysozyme activities than those fed the MW0 diet. Conclusions: Overall, the efficacy of MW as promising alternative to fish meal in practical diets for rainbow trout fry has been proved not only in relation to growth rates and feed utilization, but also from the viewpoint of immunopotentiation effects.

• 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.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.272-288
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• 2021

Mealworm is the most widely used edible insect in Korean traditional food. In this study, the quality characteristics and antioxidant activity of Garaedduk containing different proportions of powdered mealworm (0%, 3%, 6%, 9%, and 12%) were evaluated in order to enhance the utilization of mealworm. The results revealed that moisture content decreased while pH and starch elution increased, with increasing amount of mealworm. Furthermore, the amount of total amino acids, essential amino acids, and non-essential amino acids increased with increasing amount of mealworm. Regarding chromaticity, the L value decreased while the a and b values increased as the amount of mealworm increased. The addition of 6% mealworm showed slight differences in the pore size and surface smoothness as compared to plain Garaedduk. Texture, hardness, chewiness, and gumminess increased, but cohesiveness decreased with increasing amount of mealworm. The preference test evaluating the appearance, flavor, taste, texture, and overall preference showed that 6% mealworm additive group had the highest preference. In addition, antioxidant activity of the newly developed Garaedduk increased with increasing amount of mealworm. In conclusion, Garaedduk enriched with 6% mealworm showed promising results for developing rice cake with improved nutrition and antioxidant activity and excellent overall preference and quality.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.387-394
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• 2013

The developmental times of mealworm beetle larvae, Tenebrio molitor were studied at six temperatures ranging from 15 to $30^{\circ}C$ with 60~70% RH, and a photoperiod of 14L:10D. Mortality of larval period was very low at 17 and $20^{\circ}C$ but did not die over $22^{\circ}C$. Developmental time of larva was decreased with increasing temperature. The total developmental time of T. molitor larvae was longest at $17^{\circ}C$ (244.3 days) and shortest at $30^{\circ}C$ (110.8 days). Egg and larvae were not developed at $15^{\circ}C$. The lower developmental threshold and effective accumulative temperatures for the total larval stages were $6.0^{\circ}C$ and 2564.1 degree-days, respectively. The relationship between developmental rate and temperature was fitted by a linear model and nonlinear model of Logan-6($r^2$=0.95). The distribution of completion of each development stage was well described by the 2-parameter Weibull function ($r^2$=0.8502~0.9390).