Safety assessment of freeze-dried powdered Tenebrio molitor larvae (yellow mealworm) as novel food source: Evaluation of 90-day toxicity in Sprague-Dawley rats

Han, So-Ri; Lee, Byoung‐Seok; Jung, Kwang Yoon; Yu, Hee-Jin; Yun, Eun‐Young; Hwang, Jae Sam; Moon, Kyoung-Sik

doi:10.1016/j.yrtph.2016.03.006

Cited by 49 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…The suspended TML solution was adjusted to concentrations of 100 mg/kg per day and 3000 mg/kg per day. A single oral dose was determined based on a previous report of a safety assessment of freeze-dried powdered Tenebrio molitor larvae [58]. The general components were measured using the official analytical methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists and the marker compound was measured using gas chromatography (GC) (GC-2010 Plus, Shimadzu, Japan) [24].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tenebrio molitor Larvae Inhibit Adipogenesis through AMPK and MAPKs Signaling in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes and Obesity in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice

Seo

Goo

Chung

et al. 2017

IJMS

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Despite the increasing interest in insect-based bioactive products, the biological activities of these products are rarely studied adequately. Larvae of Tenebrio molitor, the yellow mealworm, have been eaten as a traditional food and provide many health benefits. Therefore, we hypothesized that T. molitor larvae might influence adipogenesis and obesity-related disorders. In the present study, we investigated the anti-adipogenic and antiobesity effects of T. molitor larvae in vitro and in vivo. The lipid accumulation and triglyceride content in mature adipocytes was reduced significantly (up to 90%) upon exposure to an ethanol extract of T. molitor larvae, without a reduction in cell viability. Exposure also resulted in key adipogenic and lipogenic transcription factors. Additionally, in adipogenic differentiation medium the extract induced phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinases. Daily oral administration of T. molitor larvae powder to obese mice fed high-fat diet attenuated body weight gain. We also found that the powder efficiently reduced hepatic steatosis as well as aspartate and alanine transaminase enzyme levels in mice fed a high-fat diet. Our results suggest that T. molitor larvae extract has an antiobesity effect when administered as a food supplement and has potential as a therapeutic agent for obesity.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tenebrio molitor Larvae Inhibit Adipogenesis through AMPK and MAPKs Signaling in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes and Obesity in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice

Seo

Goo

Chung

et al. 2017

IJMS

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“…; 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).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…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).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Baek

Kim

Kwon

et al. 2019

Entomological Research

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We examined the effects of different processing methods on the nutritional composition and antioxidant activity of mealworms. After processing with nine methods, we calculated the contents of protein, fat, ash, carbohydrate, minerals (P, Ca, K, Fe, Na), vitamin B group (B1, B2, B3), moisture, and calories. When processed by freeze drying among freeze drying, hot air drying, oven broiling, roasting, pan frying, deep frying, boiling, steaming, and microwaving, the contents of protein, some minerals, and vitamins were the highest. The content of total minerals was lowest after deep frying, and those of vitamin B1 and B3 were the lowest after microwaving. Antioxidant activity was then evaluated using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays. DPPH assays showed that microwaving, freeze drying, deep frying, steaming, boiling, and oven broiling of mealworms yielded scavenging activities of 20.9–29.0% at 2,000 μg/mL, which was similar to the activity level (22.7–33.2%) of 40–60 μM tocopherol. ABTS assays confirmed that only freeze‐dried mealworms at 2,000 μg/mL exhibited higher activity than 10 μM tocopherol. Interestingly, similar trends were found for antioxidant activity levels and total phenolic contents in mealworms.

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“…Heat processing and in vitro digestion reduces the allergic reaction but does not eliminate it completely [85]. The feeding of freezedried mealworm powder to rats in a safety assessment study did not show any adverse effects, toxicity, or allergy [88]. Furthermore, insects may carry specific molds that cause allergic reactions [14].…”

Section: Allergensmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainable farming of the mealworm Tenebrio molitor for the production of food and feed

Grau

Vilcinskas

Joop

2017

Zeitschrift Für Naturforschung C

139

100

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Abstract:The farming of edible insects is an alternative strategy for the production of protein-rich food and feed with a low ecological footprint. The industrial production of insect-derived protein is more cost-effective and energy-efficient than livestock farming or aquaculture. The mealworm Tenebrio molitor is economically among the most important species used for the large-scale conversion of plant biomass into protein. Here, we review the mass rearing of this species and its conversion into food and feed, focusing on challenges such as the contamination of food/feed products with bacteria from the insect gut and the risk of rapidly spreading pathogens and parasites. We propose solutions to prevent the outbreak of infections among farmed insects without reliance on antibiotics. Transgenerational immune priming and probiotic bacteria may provide alternative strategies for sustainable insect farming.

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Safety assessment of freeze-dried powdered Tenebrio molitor larvae (yellow mealworm) as novel food source: Evaluation of 90-day toxicity in Sprague-Dawley rats

Cited by 49 publications

References 25 publications

Tenebrio molitor Larvae Inhibit Adipogenesis through AMPK and MAPKs Signaling in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes and Obesity in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice

Tenebrio molitor Larvae Inhibit Adipogenesis through AMPK and MAPKs Signaling in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes and Obesity in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice

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

Sustainable farming of the mealworm Tenebrio molitor for the production of food and feed

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