Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)—Optimization of Rearing Conditions to Obtain Desired Nutritional Values

Abstract

The present study dealt with the influence of temperature and feed on the nutritional value of Tenebrio molitor, especially on the content of crude protein, amino acids, fat, and fatty acid profile. Tenebrio molitor larvae were kept in 15, 20, and 25°C and fed with wheat bran, lentil flour, and mixture. The parameters were analyzed by international standard methods. Generally, with an increase of the lentils in the feed, the crude protein content increased. The changes in the temperature and the feed were most pronounced on the essential amino acids Val, Arg, and Leu. The highest average fat content was determined at 20°C in insects fed with wheat bran. The lowest fat content was determined at 15°C in bran-fed insects. The dependency of fat content on the temperature in feeding with lentil flour and a mixture of wheat bran and lentil flour was statistically insignificant (P > 0.05, Kruskal–Wallis, Mann–Whitney post hoc tests). The highest content of polyene fatty acids was achieved at a rearing temperature of 15°C and the bran diet. It was concluded that a higher proportion of protein diet could increase the content of crude protein in the insects. An increase in the temperature generally leads only to a slight increase in the content of nitrogenous substances. The influence of feed on this nutritional parameter is therefore much more significant than the effect of the rearing temperature. In general, it can be stated that the feed and the temperature also significantly affect the fat content.

Amelioration of growth, nutritional value, and microbial load of Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) through probiotic supplemented feed

“…The fatty acids profile in control larvae (Table 4) shows that the prevalent fatty acids were among saturated (SFA) palmitic, myristic and stearic, among monounsaturated (MUFA) oleic (C18:1) and palmitoleic (C16:1), and among polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) linoleic acid. These results are in good agreement with previous reports (Table 2S) [11,37], although that fatty acid content has been reported to greatly depend on feed and rearing temperature [73]. Oleic (C18:1) and linoleic acid (C18:2) formed the two major fatty components of TML in all series.…”

Feed Parameters Influencing the Breeding of Mealworms (Tenebrio molitor)

“…These fat content values were higher than reported by Bednářová et al [39] (36.1%) or Finke [40] (35.0%). In contrast, the content of 6.4% [43], 8.9% [44] or 14.6% [8] were reported as one of the lowest values of fat content. In accordance with the period of starvation, the fat content may further decrease [8].…”

“…In contrast, the content of 6.4% [43], 8.9% [44] or 14.6% [8] were reported as one of the lowest values of fat content. In accordance with the period of starvation, the fat content may further decrease [8]. Depending on the feed, Broekhoven et al [11] reported a range from 18.9 to 27.6%.…”

“…Other factors include the access of light, air and sex of farmed individuals. These factors can significantly affect rearing-speeding up and securing rearing, improving its yield and promoting its stability [7,8].…”

‘Insects as Food and Feed: If You Can’t Beat Them, Eat Them!’—To the Magnificent Seven and Beyond

“…Working with the same insect species, Yang and Tomberlin (2020) compared the life-history traits of H. illucens larvae at bench-top and industrial scale regarding survival, biomass production and waste conversion, and highlight the significance of scale effect when evaluating the industrial value of research results. The ability to manipulate insect nutritional values by altering rearing conditions was studied by Adámková et al (2020) , who demonstrated the effect of temperature and diet on the nutrient composition of T. molitor larvae. Similarly, Silva et al (2021) evaluated the development and nutrient composition of T. molitor larvae fed poultry litter-based diets.…”