Evaluation of Genotoxicity and 28-day Oral Dose Toxicity on Freeze-dried Powder of Tenebrio molitor Larvae (Yellow Mealworm)

Abstract

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.

Subchronic Oral Dose Toxicity of Freeze-dried Powder of Allomyrina dichotoma Larvae

“…Although some statistically significant differences in the toxicological parameters were observed, these changes were considered to be incidental or in the range of basal area since they were no dose-dependent or inconsistent between the sexes. These results correlate to those of our previous toxicity study of another edible insect, Tenebrio molito r larvae (22) . For the results of histamine and IgE levels, it was not considered to be meaningfully involved in the allergy response of A. dichotoma larvae although statistical significance on serum histamine level was observed in female group, but not in male group, with 2500 mg/kg/day group at week 13 and recovery week 4.…”

Effects of processing methods on nutritional composition and antioxidant activity of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae

“…; Han et al . , ). Therefore, there are currently six types of insects, i.e., T. molitor larvae, P. brevitarsis larvae, A. dichotoma larvae, G. bimaculatus adults, Bombyx mori (pupae and larvae contaminated with Beauveria bassiana ), and Oxya chinensis , that can legally be manufactured and sold in Korea (Korean Food Standards Codex).…”

“…Within the last 2-3 years, four types of insects, Tenebrio molitor larvae, Protaetia brevitarsis larvae, Allomyrina dichotoma larvae, and Gryllus bimaculatus adults, were registered as novel foods in the Korean Food Standards Codex. Prior to registration, the potential for these insects as new foods was evaluated through standardization of rearing and manufacturing methods, analysis of nutritional and harmful components, and evaluation of toxicity, because new food sources should be safe and nutritious (Shon et al 2012;Chung et al 2013;Yoo et al 2013;Han et al 2014Han et al , 2016. Therefore, there are currently six types of insects, i.e., T. molitor larvae, P. brevitarsis larvae, A. dichotoma larvae, G. bimaculatus adults, Bombyx mori (pupae and larvae contaminated with Beauveria bassiana), and Oxya chinensis, that can legally be manufactured and sold in Korea (Korean Food Standards Codex).…”

Subacute Oral Toxicity Evaluation of Freeze-Dried Powder of Locusta migratoria

“…Therefore, some safety evaluations conducted in this study were performed to according to international test guidelines ( OECD, 2008 ). In the aforementioned studies, no toxicity was observed with the consumption of T. molitor at a dose of <3,000 mg/kg/d ( Han et al, 2014 ); A. dichotoma at 2,500 mg/kg/day ( Noh et al, 2015 ); and G. bimaculatus at less than 1,000 mg/kg/day ( Noh et al, 2015 ). T. molitor and A. dichotoma were confirmed to be associated with subchronic oral dose toxicity for 90 days in 5-week-old SD rats ( Han et al, 2014 ; Noh et al, 2015 ), and G. bimaculatus was confirmed to be associated with subacute oral dose toxicity for 28 days with 5-week-old SD rats ( Lee et al, 2016 ).…”

“…While toxicity evaluations similar to those conducted in this study have been performed for other edible insects such as Tenebrio molitor ( Han et al, 2014 ), Allomyrina dichotoma ( Noh et al, 2015 ), and Gryllus bimaculatus ( Lee et al., 2016 ), few studies have evaluated the toxicity of L. migratoria . Therefore, some safety evaluations conducted in this study were performed to according to international test guidelines ( OECD, 2008 ).…”