Welfare of the mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) breeding with regard to nutrition value and food safety

Abstract

Livestock welfare is an important condition for obtaining high-quality and safe food. According to the legislation edible insects are classified as livestock; and for this reason it is necessary to comply with the edible insect welfare conditions. This article focuses on selected welfare conditions for mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) breeding, with special focus on the fat content influenced by different breeding temperature (17 °C, 23 °C and 28 °C). Maximum fat content 24.56% was observed at 23 °C. To obtain maximum fat content this appears to be the optimal breeding temperature. Another evaluated aspect was the nutritional stress and a way of killing, and their impact on fat content, which showed to decrease with the nutrient stress. The most decline was detected towards the end of the observation period. The analysis showed that in terms of preservation of the fat content, the best way is killing by freezing, due to the metabolism slowdown. We also analysed the content of heavy metals in a mealworm larvae using cyclic voltammetry with subsequent evaluation. In the measured sample concentrations of heavy metals did not exceed the maximum allowable concentration of heavy metals in this commodity. From this point of view mealworm appears to be a safe food.

Evaluation of Organic Wastes as Substrates for Rearing Zophobas morio, Tenebrio molitor, and Acheta domesticus Larvae as Alternative Feed Supplements

“…Similarly, Ravzanaadii et al [46] reported a crude protein concentration of 46.4% and crude fat concentration of 32.7% when the larvae were reared on wheat bran and vegetables, whereas Busler [47] reported a higher protein concentration (53.8%), and lower fat concentration (20.0%). Adámková et al [21] conducted experiments at 17, 23, and 28 • C, and observed the maximum fat concentration at 23 • C in the last and penultimate instar stages. According to Kulma el al.…”

“…However, the mortality rate of crickets fed minimally processed, municipal-scale food waste and diets composed largely of straw was >99% without reaching a harvestable size. Some studies have revealed that low-value diets may be effective even at temperatures lower than the optimal range [21,22].…”

Graded Incorporation of Defatted Yellow Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Diet Improves Growth Performance and Nutrient Retention

“…Yellow mealworm ( Tenebrio molitor ), a member of the family Tenebrionidae, is one of the most promising insect species suitable for mass production because it is easy to breed and feed [7,14]. Mealworm larvae fed on plant by-product diets grow well [15] and have a short life cycle: the egg stage lasts 3 to 9 days, the larval stage lasts 26 to 76 days, and the pupal stage lasts 5 to 17 days [16]. Larvae of T. molitor are rich in protein and unsaturated fat, and processed T. molitor larvae meal has been tested as a replacement of FM in the diet of several aquatic species.…”

Identification of antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory peptides obtained by simulated gastrointestinal digestion of three edible insects species (Gryllodes sigillatus, Tenebrio molitor, Schistocerca gragaria)

“…Up to 2000 different edible insect species have been reported (Jongema, ); however, a limited number of edible insects appear to have been employed for studies on bioactive properties. There are many studies of the nutritional value of edible insects (Blásquez et al ., ; Rumpold & Schlüter, ; Adámková et al ., ), but the growing consumer awareness of diet–disease relationships suggests a need to study this area of insect consumption as well. A wide range of biofunctional components (e.g.…”