Silkworm Pupae: A Functional Food with Health Benefits for Humans

Abstract

Silkworm pupae are insects that are beneficial to human health, not only for their high nutritional value but, more importantly, for the variety of pharmacological functions they can perform when consumed. Currently, there is a lot of interest in the pharmaceutical applications of silkworm pupae. In recent years, the biological functions of domestic silkworm pupae have gradually been identified and confirmed, especially for their beneficial effects on human health. Studies have found that silkworm pupae have positive effects on liver protection, immune enhancement, antiapoptosis, antitumour, antibacterial, regulation of blood glucose and blood lipids, and lowering of blood pressure. However, the pharmacological mechanisms and systemic safety of silkworm pupae have not been systematically evaluated. In this paper, the nutritional composition of the pupae of the domestic silkworm is first summarised. The pharmacological functions of silkworm pupae and their components are then classified, and their mechanisms of occurrence are described. In addition, we provide a preliminary evaluation of the safety of silkworm pupae, analyse their application prospects, and suggest future directions for further pharmacological function studies. The aim is to generate interest in the promotion of human health through the use of silkworm pupae.

Impact of Mulberry Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) Pupae Powder on Physicochemical Properties and Consumer Preference of Ready-to-Eat Smoked Fish Paste

“…On the other hand, very low concentration of Se (0.06 mg/100 g) was also detected. These results are in agreement withKim et al (2017) andZhou et al (2022), who found that SWP had the highest content of some minerals, such as P, Ca, and Mg. Moreover, the SWP contained higher levels of some important minerals such as Zn (19.64 mg/100 g) and Fe (10.82 mg/100 g).…”

“…The majority of SWP was made up of crude protein (58.38%). Previous studies found that the protein content of SWP range from 48% to 60% on a dry weight basis (Rumpold and Schlüter et al, 2013;David-Birman et al, 2019 andZhou et al, 2022), which is higher than that of other typical animal products (Singh and Jayasomu, 2002). Mulberry leaves, which are the only food source for silkworms and have high protein content, have an impact on the silkworms' high protein content (Yu et al, 2018).…”

“…The protein of SWP has been investigated qualitatively and found to be safe for human consumption (Zhou and Han, 2006b). Studies have further established that SWP proteins are considered complete proteins because they contain high levels of essential amino acids such as phenylalanine, methionine, and valine (Wang et al, 2009 andZhou et al, 2022).…”

Facile acid fermentation extraction of silkworm pupae oil and evaluation of its physical and chemical properties for utilization as edible oil

“…[ 62 , 63 ], but higher in silkworm pupae oil (0.22) which is still in the safe limit (<0.5) [ 62 ]. Other minerals such as Mg, Zn, P, and Ca concentrations in silkworm pupae are at a good level but slightly lower than previously observed data [ 64 ]. In addition, Fe and Na concentrations in the extracted oil are found higher than in sunflower oil [ 65 ].…”

Nutritional Composition, Health Benefits, and Application Value of Edible Insects: A Review

“…Similarly, glycosaminoglycans from Gryllus bimaculatus can affect serum levels of phospholipids, cholesterol, and glucose in rats by regulating genes related to lipid metabolism [ 130 ]. A recently published review has illustrated that the active substances in silkworm pupae have a variety of biological functions, which highlights the hypolipidemic effects of the active components of silkworm pupae [ 219 ]. Silkworm pupa powder and silkworm chrysalis peptides can exert hypolipidemic effects by regulating the body’s lipid metabolic processes and by inhibiting fat formation in preadipocytes, and by reducing lipid accumulation and adipocyte size to improve obesity [ 132 , 134 ].…”