The Effect of Different Cold Storage Period on Total Lipid Amount of Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) Larvae

Abstract

The ever-increasing world population indicates that it is inevitable to consider insects such as Tenebrio molitor, which are used as live feed and even human food in some countries, as an alternative food source. Especially T. molitor larvae are a source of food with high nutritive value for including high lipid and protein. This study seeks answer to the question "will the insect continue to keep its lipid sources during the periods in which it is kept in the cold, or will it continue to use its energy sources since the physiological adaptations it develops are not enough?" The main material of this study was T. molitor cultures. Flour: wheat flour (250 g: 250 g) in a ratio of 1:1 was used as food. 25 g wheat germ and 5 g dry yeast was put in it. Larvae at stages 13-15 th were grouped as control and trial groups and kept for 5, 10, 15 and 20 days at specified temperatures. The weights, total lipid content and percentages of the larvae whose storage period was over were determined. This study evaluates the total lipid amount and percentages of T. molitor larvae stored in refrigerator for different periods. Total lipid amount and percentages of the larvae stored in the cold for 5, 10 and 15 days were found to be higher when compared with the control group. A tendency to decrease was observed in larvae kept for 20 days. As a result, it is recommended for producers not to keep in the refrigerator for more than 15 days. Otherwise, it should be considered that there may be a decrease in important energy and food sources.

The Genome of the Yellow Mealworm, Tenebrio molitor: It’s Bigger Than You Think

“…The European Food Safety Authority's approval of T. molitor for human consumption underscores the potential for edible insects to serve as future food and feed due to their beneficial nutritional characteristics and low environmental impact [9]. Furthermore, T. molitor larvae are recognized for their high nutritive value, including high lipid and protein content, making them a valuable food source [10]. The economic significance of T. molitor in large-scale conversion of plant biomass into protein further highlights its potential as a sustainable food and feed source [8].…”

The effect of prolonged cold storage period on total lipid content and adult cannibalism of Tenebrio molitor

“…This shows that the fed control group uses lipids (12.2%, 7.4%, 8.8%, Table 1) for their metabolic needs and prepares for pupation, while the fed-cold group (9.4%, 9.9%, 10.0%, Table 1) tries to protect their existing resources by slowing down their metabolism. Sönmez, (2021), in a study conducted with T. molitor, found the total amount of lipid to be 15.8 mg in larvae exposed to cold for 10 days and 15.0 mg in larvae exposed to cold for 20 days. The results of current study (14.46 ± 1.07; 14.01 ± 0.8 for 10 and 20 days, respectively, Figure 1) coincide with the results of the study mentioned above.…”

The Effect of Temperature and Nutrient on Developmental Biology and Physiology of Stored-Product Species of Coleoptera

“…molitor larvae kept in the cold (+4 °C) for 5, 10 and 15 days were higher than the control group, and a decreasing trend was observed kept for 20 days [84]. Sönmez et al [85] in a study with A. obtectus, found that the fatty acid types contained in adult insects remained constant, but their amounts changed depending on age and sex.…”