In this study, the potential of infrared assisted freeze-drying (IRAFD) was tested for the production of shelf-stable edible insects: Protaetia brevitarsis larva (larva of white-spotted flower chafer). The IRAFD system was customized using an infrared lamp, K-type thermocouple, controller, and data acquisition system. The infrared lamp provided the sublimation energy for rapid freeze-drying (FD). The IRAFD conditions were continuous IRAFD-5.0 kW/m 2 and IRAFD-5.0 kW/m 2 at different weight reduction (WR) (10%, 20%, and 30%). The continuous IRAFD reduced the drying time to 247 min compared to the 2,833 min duration of FD (p<0.05). The electrical energy could be reduced by more than 90% through infrared radiation during FD (p<0.05). The Page model resulted in the best prediction among the tested drying kinetic models. In terms of quality, IRAFD showed significantly lower hardness, chewiness, and higher protein levels than hot air drying and FD (p<0.05). IRAFD better preserved the glutamic acid (6.30–7.29 g/100 g) and proline (3.84–5.54 g/100 g). The external product appearance after IRAFD exhibited more air pockets and volume expansion, which might result in a good consumer appeal. In conclusion, this study reports the potential of IRAFD in producing shelf-stable and value-added edible insects.

Wheat germ (WG) is a by-product of wheat milling and comprises many bioactive compounds. This study aimed to compare the antioxidant and antilipidemic effects of different WG extracts (WGEs) by analyzing candidate bioactive compounds such as carotenoids, tocopherols, γ-oryzanol, and biogenic amines by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Antioxidant activity was determined using the ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays. The antilipidemic effect was evaluated in palmitic acid-induced steatosis in HepG2 hepatocytes and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Cellular lipid accumulation was assessed by Oil Red O staining and a cellular triglyceride content assay. All analyzed WGEs showed significant antioxidant potential, although some bioactive compounds, such as carotenoids, tocopherols, and γ-oryzanol, were the highest in the ethanol extract. Correlation analysis revealed the antioxidant potential of all identified biogenic amines except for spermidine. Ethanol and n-hexane extracts significantly inhibited cellular lipid accumulation in cell models. These results suggest that WGEs exhibit promising antioxidant potential, with a variety of bioactive compounds. Collectively, the findings of this study suggest that bioactive compounds in WGEs attenuate plasma lipid and oxidation levels. In conclusion, WG can be used as a natural antioxidant and nutraceutical using appropriate solvents and extraction methods.

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The objectives of the present study were to determine the influence of thermal and non-thermal processing procedures on in vitro ileal disappearance (IVID) of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) in chicken meat as dog foods using 2-step in vitro assays. In thermal processing experiments, IVID of DM and CP in chicken meat thermally processed at 70, 90, and 121 °C, respectively, with increasing processing time was determined. For non-thermal processing experiments, IVID of DM and CP in chicken meat processed by high-pressure, ultraviolet-light emitting diode (UV-LED), electron-beam, and gamma-ray was determined. Thermal processing of chicken meat at 70, 90, and 121 °C resulted in decreased IVID of CP (p < 0.05) as heating time increased. In non-thermal processing experiment, IVID of CP in chicken meat was not affected by high-pressure processing or UV-LED radiation. In vitro ileal disappearance of CP in electron-beam- or gamma-ray-irradiated chicken meat was not affected by the irradiation intensity. Taken together, ileal protein digestibility of chicken meat for dogs is decreased by thermal processing, but is minimally affected by non-thermal processing methods.

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