Edible Insects as a Novel Source of Bioactive Peptides: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The production of food and feed to meet the needs of the growing world’s population will soon become a serious challenge. In search for sustainable solutions, entomophagy is being proposed as an alternative source of proteins, with economic and environmental advantages when compared to meat. Edible insects are not only a valuable source of important nutrients, but their gastrointestinal digestion also originates small peptides with important bioactive properties. The present work intends to provide an exhaustive systematic review on research articles reporting bioactive peptides identified from edible insects, as demonstrated by in silico, in vitro, and/or in vivo assays. A total of 36 studies were identified following the PRISMA methodology, gathering 211 potentially bioactive peptides with antioxidant, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, antiobesity, anti-inflammatory, hypocholesterolemia, antimicrobial, anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2), antithrombotic, and immunomodulatory properties, originated from the hydrolysates of 12 different insect species. From these candidates, the bioactive properties of 62 peptides were characterized in vitro and 3 peptides were validated in vivo. Data establishing the scientific basis of the health benefits associated with the consumption of edible insects can be a valuable contribution to overcoming the cultural issues that hinder the introduction of insects in the Western diet.

Exploiting Locusta migratoria as a source of bioactive peptides with anti-fibrosis properties using an in silico approach

“…Most studies concerning the bioactive properties of edible insects focused on the identification of peptides with antihypertensive, antidiabetic and antioxidant properties. 13 In a previous work, we reported that insects can also be a source of bioactive peptides with antifibrosis properties. An in silico protocol that simulated gastrointestinal (GI) digestion of the house cricket ( Acheta domesticus ) identified several peptides capable of selectively inhibiting the N-subunit of the somatic angiotensin-I converting enzyme (sACE; EC 3.4.15.1).…”

Edible insects as a source of biopeptides and their role in immunonutrition

“…In Table 1, a list of bioactive peptides evaluated in vitro to potentially exhibit immunomodulatory properties is reported, indicating the methodology employed by the authors. Teixeira et al 26 recently carried out a systematic review aiming to identify research articles reporting bioactive peptides identified from edible insects, as demonstrated by in silico , in vitro , and/or in vivo assays.…”

“…Among the described bioactivities reported in the literature (antidiabetic, antioxidant, antithrombotic, etc . ), 25,26 the focus of this review will be on the immunomodulatory properties, generally associated with an anti-inflammatory character.…”

Current state of insect proteins: extraction technologies, bioactive peptides and allergenicity of edible insect proteins

“…20,76 Farmed insects such as G. sigillatus , S. gregaria and B. mori have also been successfully hydrolyzed through gastrointestinal digestion and new bioactive peptides have been isolated. 5,77,78 Besides, microbial enzymes including alcalase, thermolysin, flavourzyme and acid protease were used for the hydrolysis of A. assamensis pupae and S. littoralis and T. molitor proteins. 30,70,79 However, only limited research reported the use of plant-derived enzymes like papain for producing insect protein hydrolysates.…”