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A new approach to supplying foods and feeds that are high in protein has emerged in the form of insect farming. Insect‐farmed food may also serve as part of a sustainable diet for humans. The mealworm Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is the most widely consumed insect worldwide. In this study, 10 larval diets were tested in the laboratory to determine their suitability for mass‐feeding mealworms at 28 °C and 60–65% r.h., in a completely randomized design. Various larval diets had a significant impact on the biological features of T. molitor. The larvae, pupae, and adults were greater on diets containing wheat bran alone and wheat bran in combination with maize and porridge. Larval mortality was significantly higher (60.7%) on a diet with porridge alone, compared to a control diet, followed by diets with porridge in combination with barley (55.6%) or maize (50.6%). Sex ratio was also affected by the tested larval diets. Female hatch (65%) was higher than male hatch (35%) on diet containing wheat bran alone as compared to all other diets. The findings contribute to optimizing mealworm rearing practices for sustainable food production and promote the potential use of mealworms as a viable protein source – especially livestock diets based on mealworm reared on wheat bran show promise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Insects and their larvae have attracted attention as a sustainable alternative to traditional commodities in animal feeds. There are currently eight authorised insect species, where most of the research is taking place, the most prominent ones being the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) and the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor). There are, however, many other alternatives, such as the superworm (Zophobas morio), which, although widely researched, have not yet been approved for use. This review provides a detailed examination of the chemical composition of these three insect species and their impact on broiler growth. Based on the analysis of recent scientific studies, it can be inferred that all three species demonstrate high protein content and a well-balanced composition of amino and fatty acids, along with substantial amounts of minerals, fibre and vitamins. Of particular note is their moderately low ash content, which enhances feed palatability, and the presence of essential minerals that can be further adjusted through substrate enrichment applications. All three species also present considerable amounts of vitamins and especially those of the vitamin B complex, enhancing various physiological functions. Should the challenges related to financial, risk and consumer acceptance factors be effectively managed, we can expect a swift advancement in the use of insects as feed ingredients in the very near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Throughout history, various cultures have recognized the significance of insects and have integrated them into traditional medicinal practices. In addition to medicines, insects are garnering attention as a sustainable and nutritious dietary alternative. Although edible insects have long been recognized as food sources in many Asian cultures, recent scientific studies have highlighted their potential therapeutic benefits, particularly in the field of neuroprotection. This review explores insect-derived extracts and peptides, elucidating their neuroprotective potential. This review highlights the potential use of insects as a source of neuroprotective agents. Advancements in neuroprotection may find a key ally in insects as our understanding of the symbiotic relationship between insects and human health becomes more profound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron is an essential mineral that supports biological functions like growth, oxygen transport, cellular function, and hormone synthesis. Insufficient dietary iron can lead to anemia and cause fatigue, cognitive impairment, and poor immune function. Animal-based foods provide heme iron, which is more bioavailable to humans, while plant-based foods typically contain less bioavailable non-heme iron. Edible insects vary in their iron content and may have heme or non-heme forms, depending on their diet. Edible insects have been proposed as a protein source that could address issues of food insecurity and malnutrition in low resource contexts; therefore, it is important to understand the bioavailability of iron from insect-based foods. In this study, we used Inductively Coupled Plasma and Mass Spectrometry (IPC-MS) and Caco-2 cell culture models to compare the soluble and bioavailable iron among five different lab-produced tempeh formulations featuring Tenebrio molitor (mealworm) with their non-fermented raw ingredient combinations. Finally, we compared the iron bioavailability of a mealworm tempeh with two sources of conventional beef (ground beef and sirloin steaks) and two commercially available plant-based meat alternatives. The results show that while plant-based meat alternatives had higher amounts of soluble iron, particularly in the Beyond Burger samples, the fermented mealworm-based tempeh had greater amounts of bioavailable iron than the other samples within the set. While all the samples presented varying degrees of iron bioavailability, all products within the sample set would be considered good sources of dietary iron. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to be able to incorporate mealworm powder into yoghurts to increase protein content. Tenebrio molitor is gaining popularity as an alternative protein source. In the face of a growing human population and the associated challenges of sustainable nutrition, mealworms offer a promising solution. The mealworm is distinguished by its high protein content and for being rich in essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, making it a valuable component of diet. Among others, chemical composition, colour, texture, degree of syneresis, sensory analysis, and microbiological analysis were analysed. As expected, the addition of insect powder increased the protein content from 4.91% (0 TM) to 7.41% (5 TM). It also increased the fat content from 1.67% (0 TM) to 3.88% (5 TM). Furthermore, the addition of mealworm powder resulted in a significant change in the colour of the yoghurt to a darker colour, due to the dark brown colour of the powder. Food with added edible insects is increasingly available but is not always popular due to cultural and psychological barriers. Sensory analysis of yoghurts has shown that the more powder that is added, the less appealing the product becomes and the more bitter the taste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Due to the growing world population, the sustainability of food and feed sources with high nutritional value has become a crucial issue. In this scenario, insects can constitute a low-impact protein source with high nutritional value. The growth and nutrient composition of insects are potentially influenced by rearing conditions, particularly by the selected growth substrate. In this study, we evaluated the chemical and functional characteristics of Tenebrio molitor larvae reared on different growth substrates: a traditional wheat bran substrate and an innovative substrate consisting of wheat bran supplemented with chestnut shell, a by-product of the chestnut agro-industrial chain. The results showed that the innovative growth substrates positively influenced the insects' survival suggesting a beneficial effect on larval health. The enrichment of the growth substrate with chestnut shell modified the protein and amino acid profile of insect meals, possibly indicating a shift in their metabolism. In addition, insect meals obtained from larvae reared on chestnut-shell-enriched substrate exhibited higher antibacterial and antioxidant activity, suggesting a potential beneficial effect when included in animal feed. Our results showed positive outcomes related to the design of innovative strategies for insect rearing, enriching larvae meal with beneficial health properties in line with sustainability and One Health principles. Tenebrio molitor larvae represent a sustainable protein source for food and feed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the supplementation of chestnut shell, a by-product of the agro-industrial chain, in growth substrates for T. molitor larvae rearing. Seven-week-old larvae were reared on three different growth substrates: the control group (CTRL) was fed wheat bran, treatment group one was fed wheat bran supplemented with 12.5% w/w chestnut shell (TRT1), and treatment group two was fed wheat bran supplemented with 25% w/w chestnut shell (TRT2). Larval weight, substrate consumption, and mortality were recorded weekly. After 14 days, insect meals were produced for bromatological and colorimetric analysis, and bacterial inhibition activity assay using a microdilution method. The amino acid profile of insects was determined using quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Our results showed a lower feed conversion ratio and higher larval survival rate % in TRT2 compared to CTRL (p < 0.05). Proteins and lipids of TRT2 were higher than other groups (p < 0.05). Important differences were observed in the amino acid profile of TRT1 and TRT2 compared to CTRL (p < 0.05). TRT1 and TRT2 showed higher E. coli inhibitory activity than CTRL (p < 0.05). In conclusion, chestnut shell supplementation improved the survival and functional characteristics of larvae and likely impacted the insects' metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mealworms are one of the most economically important insects in large-scale production for human and animal nutrition. Densoviruses are highly pathogenic for invertebrates and exhibit an extraordinary level of diversity which rivals that of their hosts. Molecular, clinical, histological, and electron microscopic characterization of novel densovirus infections is of utmost economic and ecological importance. Here, we describe an outbreak of densovirus with high mortality in a commercial mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) farm. Clinical signs included inability to prehend food, asymmetric locomotion evolving to nonambulation, dehydration, dark discoloration, and death. Upon gross examination, infected mealworms displayed underdevelopment, dark discoloration, larvae body curvature, and organ/tissue softness. Histologically, there was massive epithelial cell death, and cytomegaly and karyomegaly with intranuclear inclusion (InI) bodies in the epidermis, pharynx, esophagus, rectum, tracheae, and tracheoles. Ultrastructurally, these InIs represented a densovirus replication and assembly complex composed of virus particles ranging from 23.79 to 26.99 nm in diameter, as detected on transmission electron microscopy. Whole-genome sequencing identified a 5579-nucleotide-long densovirus containing 5 open reading frames. A phylogenetic analysis of the mealworm densovirus showed it to be closely related to several bird- and bat-associated densoviruses, sharing 97% to 98% identity. Meanwhile, the nucleotide similarity to a mosquito, cockroach, and cricket densovirus was 55%, 52%, and 41%, respectively. As this is the first described whole-genome characterization of a mealworm densovirus, we propose the name Tenebrio molitor densovirus (TmDNV). In contrast to polytropic densoviruses, this TmDNV is epitheliotropic, primarily affecting cuticle-producing cells.

A degradation mechanism of polystyrene (PS) in mealworms reared on expanded PS (EPS) was investigated by its decrease in molecular weight and change in chemical structure. A 33% decrease in molecular weight was observed for the digested PS in the frass after 1 week of feeding to mealworms. The FT-IR and py-GC/MS spectra of the digested PS showed radical oxidative reactions taking place in the mealworm body. The presence of hydroperoxide, alcohol and phenol groups was confirmed, and dimer fragments of styrene with quinone and phenol groups were obtained. The decrease in molecular weight and the alternation of benzene rings indicated that autoxidation and quinonization via phenolic intermediates occurred simultaneously in the mealworm body. The survival rate of mealworms reared on EPS was higher than that of starved worms, indicating that EPS was a nutrient source. However, no weight gain was observed in mealworms fed EPS alone. Comparison with the mixed diets with bran or urethane foams (PU) indicated that protein, phosphorus and magnesium components absent from EPS were required for mealworm growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to analyze the acceptance of muffins containing a 15% addition of powder from four edible insect species (Alphitobius diaperinus, Tenebrio molitor, Acheta domesticus, Ruspolia differens) in both savory and sweet versions, focusing on the psychological factors influencing their consumption. The study involved 106 adult consumers. Initially, the level of food neophobia (FNS) among participants was determined. Over 80% displayed low to medium levels of neophobia. Similar results were obtained when assessing attitudes towards insects, with most participants showing positive and ambivalent attitudes. Based on these findings, the acceptance of insect-based muffins was evaluated. The level of acceptance of insects varied and depended mainly on taste, smell, and texture. Participants with lower levels of neophobia and positive attitudes towards consuming insects generally rated the insect muffins higher compared to those with higher levels of neophobia and negative attitudes. The sweet versions of insect powder muffins were rated higher, which also indicates preferences and dietary habits. Products with grasshopper powder (GS, GCL) were rated the lowest for both taste versions. Conversely, products based on buffalo worms (BS, BCL) were seen as having the greatest potential for acceptance. Understanding consumer attitudes, neophobia, and levels of acceptance provides valuable insights for designing new insect-based foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cereal products comprise a significant portion of the human diet, serving as staple foods in various cultures. However, their high carbohydrate content and low nutritional quality pose several challenges in terms of overall dietary balance and health-related disorders. Besides, the demand for high-protein foods underscores the need for the supplementation of cereal products with sustainable protein-rich ingredients. In recent years, edible insects have emerged as a promising alternative, owing to their exceptional nutritional composition, environmental sustainability, and economic viability. Despite historical precedents of entomophagy and recent endorsements by organizations, insects are rarely industrialized in cereal products. Therefore, this review focuses on the potential use of edible insects in baked goods, noodles, and pasta products to expand their industrial-scale applications. The incorporation of edible insects into these products not only can improve the nutritional values of the final products but also may affect their techno-functional and sensory properties. Thus, it is necessary to optimize the formulation of these value-added products and educate consumers about the potential health benefits of edible insects. Overall, this study elucidates the opportunities and challenges associated with utilizing edible insects as functional ingredients in cereal-based foods, offering insights into future directions for further innovation and market acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthesize of zinc nanoparticles adopted through a simple, and eco-friendly biosynthesis process, utilizing the eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), river oak (Casuarina cunninghamiana) and dill (Anethum graveolens) leaves as sources and evaluate the insecticidal effects of the produced zinc oxide nanoparticles against the mealworms Tenebrio molitor L.,1758. The produced ZnO nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The laboratory research was carried out with feeding method (the leaf immersion in ZnO NPs solution with different concentrations). The mortality effects of all the three synthesized ZnO nanoparticles against the studied larval stage was recorded in various period of time. the results of the statistical analysis showed that there were significant differences in the average mortality rate according to plant consisting of zinc nanoparticle, in which the highest average of the larval mortality was obtained (61.83%) for river oak, with an average percentage of adult emergence (27.50 %). Similarly the LC50 values of the ZnO NPs derived from the used plants was showed a varying effect on the larvae of mealworm with feeding method and that this effect varied according to the plant species in which for the River oak was (396.27 ppm), Eucalyptus plant (3630.78 ppm) and Dill plant was (6280.58 ppm). This result concluded that Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles from plant sources has larvicidal properties but the most effective one was from River oak plant and they serve as eco-friendly an alternative to synthetic insecticides for controlling insect stages. Hence the biogenic Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles can be used as potential insecticidal agent for the studied insect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mealworm Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) feeds on wheat bran and is considered both a pest and an edible insect. Its larvae contain proteins and essential amino acids, fats, and minerals, making them suitable for animal and human consumption. Zearalenone (ZEA) is the mycotoxin most commonly associated with Fusarium spp. It is found in cereals and cereal products, so their consumption is a major risk for mycotoxin contamination. One of the most important effects of ZEA is the induction of oxidative stress, which leads to physiological and behavioral changes. This study deals with the effects of high doses of ZEA (10 and 20 mg/kg) on survival, molting, growth, weight gain, activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST), and locomotion of mealworm larvae. Both doses of ZEA were found to (i) have no effect on survival, (ii) increase molting frequency, SOD, and GST activity, and (iii) decrease body weight and locomotion, with more pronounced changes at 20 mg/kg. These results indicated the susceptibility of T. molitor larvae to high doses of ZEA in feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to search of viable alternative protein source for aquaculture, a feeding trial of six-months was carried out to test the effect of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) meal relacing fishmeal protein at 0% (control), 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% in practical diets (named D0, D25, D50, D75 and D100 respectively) on the growth performance, feed utilization and survival of black molly (Poecilia sphenops). At the end of six-months, significantly higher final weight and length were observed in D75 diet fed set followed by D50 set and then in D0 set, whereas lowest value was recorded in D100. The specific growth rate (SGR) in percent of control fishes (D0) was 2.25±0.02, whereas the result of SGR (%) was noted best in D75 set (2.44±0.02) and poorest in the D100 (1.97±0.02). Although D75 diet fed set showed lower feed conversion ratio (FCR), black molly fed with D25 and D50 diets still utilized the diets as well as control (D0) as their values did not vary significantly. Significantly higher survival percentage was 96.67%, observed in D75 set, in contrast lowest found in D100 set (64.44%). Hence, mealworm could be successfully incorporated by replacing fishmeal from 50% to 75% in the diet of black molly with optimal growth, feed utilization and better survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mealworm, migratory locust, and house cricket have recently been recognized by the European Commission as novel foods, thus being suitable in different food applications. In this work, we tested their powders as meat extenders at 5% (w/w) inclusion in beef burgers, considering their ability to vehicle phenolic compounds during simulated in vitro static gastrointestinal digestion (INFOGEST). Insect powders were abundant in different phenolic classes, recording the highest values in locust (LP; 314.69 mg/kg), followed by cricket (CP; 113.3 mg/kg) and mealworm (MWP; 51.9 mg/kg). Following a pan-cooking process, LP burgers were confirmed as the best source of phenolics, with a marked abundance of flavonoids and phenolic acids. Interestingly, the insect powders were found to affect the in vitro gastrointestinal bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds when compared with the CTR burger, likely promoted by the interactions between the phenolic compounds and proteins characterizing the tested insect powders. Among the most discriminant phenolic metabolites at the gastrointestinal level, we found several phenolic acids (mainly hydroxycinnamics), recording the highest content for the digested CP-containing burgers. Finally, stilbenes showed significant correlation values at the intestinal level with both antioxidant and enzymatic activities, while total flavonoids were the most correlated with the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. Taken together, our preliminary findings demonstrated that insect powders added to beef burgers can promote the bioaccessibility and potential bioavailability of phenolics in the distal tracts of the intestine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the potential of insect-based diets to mitigate heat stress impact on broiler chickens, focusing on growth performance and antioxidant stability. Four dietary groups were examined, including a control and three treated groups with Tenebrio molitor (TM), Hermetia illucens (HI), and Zophobas morio (ZM) larvae, respectively, at a 5% replacement ratio. Temperature and relative humidity of the poultry house were monitored. Under heat stress conditions, the HI-fed group consistently exhibited the highest body weight, demonstrating their remarkable growth-promoting potential. TM-fed broilers also displayed commendable growth compared to the control. Insect larvae inclusion in the diet improved feed intake during early growth stages, indicating their positive influence on nutrient utilization. Regarding antioxidant stability, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the liver, an oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation marker, were significantly lower in the TM-fed group, suggesting reduced oxidative stress. While the specific insect-based diet did not significantly affect MDA levels in thigh and breast tissues, variations in the total phenolic content (TPC) were observed across tissues, with HI larvae significantly increasing it in the breast. However, the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) levels did not differ significantly among dietary groups in the examined tissues. Results suggest that insect-based diets enhance broiler growth and potentially reduce oxidative stress, particularly in the liver. Dietary presence of bioactive compounds may contribute to these benefits. Further research is required to fully elucidate the mechanisms underlying these findings. Insect-based diets seem to offer promise as feed additives in addressing the multifaceted challenges of oxidative stress and enhancing broiler health and resilience under heat stress conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reveals that Tenebrio molitor larvae are fed with two different feeds i.e., barley bran along with Styrofoam, and barley bran without Styrofoam, the survival percentage of mealworms shows 86 and 89%, respectively. Five isolates namely S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5 were isolated from the gut of Styrofoam-feeding Tenebrio molitor larvae and tested for Hydrophobicity percentage, clear zone assay and turbidity measurement. S1 isolate showed best (turbidity percentage of 19.65%, 13.54% hydrophobicity percentage, and 37% zone of clearance) when compared to other isolates, respectively. 16S rRNA characterization of S1 isolate revealed that the isolate belongs to Priestia megaterium S1(ON024787). Biodegradation of PE and PS beads by Priestia megaterium S1 makes physical and structural changes over 180 days, after microbial adhesion to the beads. Growth parameters have shown that the Priestia megaterium S1 thrives more effectively in the pH (6.5), temperature (28 °C) and at 1.5% LDPE/HDPE/PS concentration there is maximum utilization of carbon and a high percentage survival rate. Significant colonization of the isolate after 30 days over beads of LDPE (52.47%), HDPE (49.26%), and PS (48.11%), respectively. Experimental data revealed that Priestia megaterium S1 have PE and PS beads degradation capacity, proven by weight loss studies, at 6th-month percentage weight loss of LDPE (36.1%), HDPE (31.9%), and PS (28.6%), the percentage loss of carbon and hydrogen shows higher when compared to control. One month Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) showed that LDPE (7.4 mg/l), HDPE (7.2 mg/l), PS (6.7 mg/l), and simultaneous studies on CO2 evolution over LDPE treatment is 5.05 g/l, HDPE (4.26 g/l), and PS (3.91 g/l), respectively. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) prove the occurrence of biodegradation on the surface of beads. This work highlights that Priestia megaterium S1 plays a vital role in effectively degrading PE and PS beads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aimed to study the performance of the UF-DF process, in terms of the permeation flux and membrane resistance, to produce a mealworm protein isolate. Moreover, a detailed characterization of the UF-DF retentates and permeates was performed. The results showed that the UF performances was reduced during the concentration phase, with a total flux decline close to 40 %. The membrane fouling was mainly reversible, and the flux was totally recovered during the DF. As expected, the ash content was drastically reduced in the retentate, but interestingly, low effects on the soluble sugars and lipids contents were noticed. The UF permeates were mainly composed of free amino acids and low molecular weight peptides, which confirms a high protein rejection of the UF membrane. Finally, compared to the protein concentrate before the UF-DF (57.29 %), the protein content increased by 26.4 % to reach 72.40 % which validates the feasibility of producing mealworm protein isolates using filtration parameters described in this work. This study demonstrated the potential of using UF-DF to produce a mealworm protein isolate with a complete amino acid profile rich in essential amino acids.

Iron is an essential mineral that supports biological functions like growth, oxygen transport, cellular function, and hormone synthesis. Insufficient dietary iron can lead to anemia and cause fatigue, cognitive impairment, and poor immune function. Animal-based foods provide heme iron, which is more bioavailable to humans, while plant-based foods typically contain less bioavailable non-heme iron. Edible insects vary in their iron content and may have heme or non-heme forms, depending on their diet. Edible insects have been proposed as a protein source that could address issues of food insecurity and malnutrition in low resource contexts; therefore, it is important to understand the bioavailability of iron from insect-based foods. In this study, we used Inductively Coupled Plasma and Mass Spectrometry (IPC-MS) and Caco-2 cell culture models to compare the soluble and bioavailable iron among five different lab-produced tempeh formulations featuring Tenebrio molitor (mealworm) with their non-fermented raw ingredient combinations. Finally, we compared the iron bioavailability of a mealworm tempeh with two sources of conventional beef (ground beef and sirloin steaks) and two commercially available plant-based meat alternatives. The results show that while plant-based meat alternatives had higher amounts of soluble iron, particularly in the Beyond Burger samples, the fermented mealworm-based tempeh had greater amounts of bioavailable iron than the other samples within the set. While all the samples presented varying degrees of iron bioavailability, all products within the sample set would be considered good sources of dietary iron.

The study aimed to be able to incorporate mealworm powder into yoghurts to increase protein content. Tenebrio molitor is gaining popularity as an alternative protein source. In the face of a growing human population and the associated challenges of sustainable nutrition, mealworms offer a promising solution. The mealworm is distinguished by its high protein content and for being rich in essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, making it a valuable component of diet. Among others, chemical composition, colour, texture, degree of syneresis, sensory analysis, and microbiological analysis were analysed. As expected, the addition of insect powder increased the protein content from 4.91% (0 TM) to 7.41% (5 TM). It also increased the fat content from 1.67% (0 TM) to 3.88% (5 TM). Furthermore, the addition of mealworm powder resulted in a significant change in the colour of the yoghurt to a darker colour, due to the dark brown colour of the powder. Food with added edible insects is increasingly available but is not always popular due to cultural and psychological barriers. Sensory analysis of yoghurts has shown that the more powder that is added, the less appealing the product becomes and the more bitter the taste.

Tenebrio molitor larvae represent a sustainable protein source for food and feed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the supplementation of chestnut shell, a by-product of the agro-industrial chain, in growth substrates for T. molitor larvae rearing. Seven-week-old larvae were reared on three different growth substrates: the control group (CTRL) was fed wheat bran, treatment group one was fed wheat bran supplemented with 12.5% w/w chestnut shell (TRT1), and treatment group two was fed wheat bran supplemented with 25% w/w chestnut shell (TRT2). Larval weight, substrate consumption, and mortality were recorded weekly. After 14 days, insect meals were produced for bromatological and colorimetric analysis, and bacterial inhibition activity assay using a microdilution method. The amino acid profile of insects was determined using quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Our results showed a lower feed conversion ratio and higher larval survival rate % in TRT2 compared to CTRL (p < 0.05). Proteins and lipids of TRT2 were higher than other groups (p < 0.05). Important differences were observed in the amino acid profile of TRT1 and TRT2 compared to CTRL (p < 0.05). TRT1 and TRT2 showed higher E. coli inhibitory activity than CTRL (p < 0.05). In conclusion, chestnut shell supplementation improved the survival and functional characteristics of larvae and likely impacted the insects’ metabolism.

Research on the acceptance of consuming insects in one's diet shows the increasing importance of this issue in the context of a sustainable food chain and ecology. Insects represent a promising food source due to their high nutritional value, efficiency in production, and minimal environmental impact, as well as the growing awareness of ecological issues. Despite these benefits, cultural and psychological barriers hinder the acceptance of consuming insects in Western countries. In this study, an assessment was made of the acceptance level of cream-type soups made from tomatoes and white vegetables with the addition of 20% flour from four insect species: mealworm (T. molitor); house cricket (A. domesticus); buffalo worm (A. diaperinus); and grasshopper (R. differens), compared to a control sample. One hundred and four subjects (55 seniors and 49 young adults) participated in this study. The acceptance level of various soups with insect flour was evaluated, considering different sensory parameters such as appearance, smell, taste, and texture. The research showed that older people have a lower acceptance for dishes containing insects compared to young adults, but the differences in the responses given were not statistically significant (p = 0.05), rejecting the assumption that insect-based products should be mainly targeted at young people. Of all the proposed test samples, the mealworm (T. molitor) was the most acceptable insect species in the tests in both taste versions for both age groups. The average score was 6.63 points on a 10-point scale. The products with the addition of grasshopper (R. differens) were rated the lowest. The acceptance level ranged between 4.23 and 4.38 points. A multiple regression analysis showed that taste and texture had the strongest influence on the overall acceptance of these dishes, and the results obtained were highly correlated with the general opinion of the testers. The increasing acceptance level and growing interest in this type of food can be a positive step towards sustainable and efficient food production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing the availability of alternative protein from insects is important for solving food shortages. Not only are insects a rich source of protein, but using insect as ingredients could reduce food waste. Insects are thus a potentially valuable ingredient for food industries and even sustainable food. The three-dimensional production of food for future food has gained attention owing to its potential to reduce autonomous food production and produce sustainable food. This study investigated the printability and rheological properties of a high-protein food system derived from mealworms and guar gum used to improve printability. The stability and rheological properties were analyzed for various printing parameters. The results indicate that the yield stress of the mealworm paste dramatically increased (39 to 1096 Pa) with even a small guar gum concentration resulting in an increase (0 to 1.75%). Increasing the guar gum concentration thus resulted in a mealworm paste that had a more significant value of hardness and cohesiveness but reduced adhesiveness (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the addition of guar gum increased viscosity, and caused the paste to exhibit a shear thinning behavior and ability to support itself and was thus more stable. In summary, introducing guar gum resulted in a mealworm paste with rheological properties more suitable for printing in terms of printability and stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding Nile tilapia juvenile (Oreochromis niloticus) with diets based on fish meal (FM) and Tenebrio molitor (TM) larvae meal on growth performance and feed efficiency. For this purpose, three diets were prepared: Control diet (FM); without T. molitor larvae meal, insect diet (TM); 100% of fish meal has been replaced by T. molitor larvae meal and mixture diet (FM/TM); 50% of FM has been replaced by T. molitor larvae meal. Each treatment was tested in three replications over a 46-day. In the experiment, 1-month-old Nile tilapia juveniles with an average weight of 0.12±0.001 g were used. At the end of the experiment, the best growth was in the FM group, followed by the TM group and FM/TM group, the differences being significant except for FM and TM groups (P<0.05). Weight gain was also in line with growth rates. The SGR was 5.35%, 5.27% and 5.21% in FM, TM and FM/TM groups, respectively, and The difference between FM and FM/TM groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). The best FCR was in the FM group which was similar to TM diet (P<0.05). The worst FCR was in the group fed FM/TM diet with a significant difference from the other treatments. The PER changed between 0.87±0.07 and 1.42±0.04 with significant differences among the treatments. The survival rate was 100% in all groups. The data obtained showed that TM has the potential to be used as a protein source in diets of juvenile tilapia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: The addition of edible insects to crackers in an amount of 5% improved the nutritional profile compared to the control sample. The crackers with edible insect powder were evaluated as acceptable, but some evaluators felt a foreign taste and aroma which resembled fish or mushrooms, or bitterness. Crackers with cricket powder addition had the best score (smell—balanced, and pleasant) compared to other samples containing insect powder. This study aimed to determine the physicochemical, nutritional, antioxidant, and sensory properties of crackers with the addition of edible insects. The analyses covered the contents of total dry matter, crude protein, fat and ash; amino acid composition and antioxidant activity (DPPH method); total polyphenol content; mineral compound composition (AAS); caloric value; and sensory profile (aroma, taste, general appearance, overall acceptability) of the durable pastry—crackers supplemented with 5% of powder of edible insects (cricket, mealworm, and grasshopper). Appropriate research methods were used for analyses. Studies have shown that the contents of dry matter, crude protein, fat and all amino acids detected were higher in the samples with the addition of insects compared to the control sample. The highest antioxidant activity was assayed in the sample with the addition of grasshopper powder. The highest content of total polyphenols was determined in the sample with the addition of mealworm. The addition of insects positively affected the content of mineral substances—especially zinc—in the sample with cricket powder addition. The results of this study show that edible insects are an attractive raw material, which can in future expand the assortment of food products available on the market and increase the nutritional benefits of enriched products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mealworm-flour-formulated flour-based products have gained increasing attention; however, their textural properties need to be improved. Propylene glycol alginate (PGA) is a commercial food additive with excellent emulsifying and stabilizing capabilities. We evaluated the effects of adding three commercially available PGAs (0.3% w/w, as food additive) on the properties of 10% concentration of mealworm-flour-formulated bread and steamed bread. The results showed that, compared with the control (2.17 mL/g), three PGA brands (Q, M, and Y) significantly increased the specific volume of the bread to 3.34, 3.40, and 3.36 mL/g, respectively. Only PGA from brand Q significantly improved the specific volumes of bread and steamed bread. The color of the bread was affected by the Maillard reaction. The addition of PGAs also augmented the moisture content of the fresh bread crumbs and steamed bread crumbs. All three PGAs improved the textural properties of bread and steamed bread. During storage, PGA addition delayed the staling of bread and steamed bread. In summary, our study showed that the addition of 0.3% PGA from three different producers improved bread properties, with PGA from brand Q having the most substantial effect. PGA had a more substantial effect on bread than steamed bread. Our results provide a theoretical basis to guide the development of insect-formulated flour-based products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Animal Production & Processing Technology / JurnalIlmu Produksi dan Teknologi Hasil Peternakan is the property of IPB University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Edible insects have a low environmental impact but are rich in nutrients and have been promoted as alternative protein sources. However, adding insect flour to bread negatively affects the overall quality, especially loaf volume and textural properties. Furthermore, relevant studies on chitin are limited. Therefore, this study examined chitin hydrolysis using lysozymes to enhance the quality characteristics in defatted mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) powder (DF-M)-supplemented bread. The chitin hydrolysis degree by lysozymes was evaluated using the 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid assay and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The amount of chitin oligomers increased with time, and no significant difference in the hydrolysis efficiency between water and 400 mM acetate buffer was observed. Enzymatic hydrolysis improved the DF-M water- and oil-binding and antioxidant capacities. In addition, chitin hydrolysis increased the volume and softened the texture of white bread. In particular, bread supplemented with DF-M hydrolyzed for 4 h at 10 % had the highest moisture content among the mealworm-added bread groups during storage for 5 days. Moreover, sensory evaluation showed a positive effect of chitin hydrolysis on acceptability. Our findings indicate that chitin hydrolysis can improve the quality of bread containing insect additives. In conclusion, this study provides novel insights into producing high-quality and functional bakery products from edible insects by the enzymatic hydrolysis of edible insect powders and could expand the applications of edible insects as food ingredients.

Insect frass and vermicompost hold potential applications as fertilizers, with their abilities to improve plant resilience against unfavorable environmental conditions and increase their resistance to pests and diseases. In this study, we explored the effects of vermicompost fertilization, mealworm frass, and superworm frass as potential plant fertilizers for red beet cultivation. We analyzed the connections among chemical parameters, rhizobiome structure and function, and the biometrics of fertilizer-treated plants. In general, soils enriched with vermicompost and superworm frass exhibited the highest macroelement contents. Dry superworm frass fertilization was characterized by the increased availabilities of total nitrogen, NH4-N, and NO3-N. The use of vermicompost and mealworm frass resulted in significantly higher red beet biomass values. The presence of the highest N-fixation potential and key hormonal substances involved in plant development, such as auxins and gibberellins, was demonstrated using wet superworm frass. The results indicated that wet superworm frass, similar to vermicompost and dry superworm frass, exhibits high chemoheterotrophic potential. This suggests an r-type strategy and high adaptive flexibility of rhizobial bacteria. As a consequence, both life in the root zone and the microbiome itself may be better adapted to sudden, unfavorable environmental changes or attacks by plant pathogens.

A degradation mechanism of polystyrene (PS) in mealworms reared on expanded PS (EPS) was investigated by its decrease in molecular weight and change in chemical structure. A 33% decrease in molecular weight was observed for the digested PS in the frass after 1 week of feeding to mealworms. The FT-IR and py-GC/MS spectra of the digested PS showed radical oxidative reactions taking place in the mealworm body. The presence of hydroperoxide, alcohol and phenol groups was confirmed, and dimer fragments of styrene with quinone and phenol groups were obtained. The decrease in molecular weight and the alternation of benzene rings indicated that autoxidation and quinonization via phenolic intermediates occurred simultaneously in the mealworm body. The survival rate of mealworms reared on EPS was higher than that of starved worms, indicating that EPS was a nutrient source. However, no weight gain was observed in mealworms fed EPS alone. Comparison with the mixed diets with bran or urethane foams (PU) indicated that protein, phosphorus and magnesium components absent from EPS were required for mealworm growth.

The aim of the study was to analyze the acceptance of muffins containing a 15% addition of powder from four edible insect species (Alphitobius diaperinus, Tenebrio molitor, Acheta domesticus, Ruspolia differens) in both savory and sweet versions, focusing on the psychological factors influencing their consumption. The study involved 106 adult consumers. Initially, the level of food neophobia (FNS) among participants was determined. Over 80% displayed low to medium levels of neophobia. Similar results were obtained when assessing attitudes towards insects, with most participants showing positive and ambivalent attitudes. Based on these findings, the acceptance of insect-based muffins was evaluated. The level of acceptance of insects varied and depended mainly on taste, smell, and texture. Participants with lower levels of neophobia and positive attitudes towards consuming insects generally rated the insect muffins higher compared to those with higher levels of neophobia and negative attitudes. The sweet versions of insect powder muffins were rated higher, which also indicates preferences and dietary habits. Products with grasshopper powder (GS, GCL) were rated the lowest for both taste versions. Conversely, products based on buffalo worms (BS, BCL) were seen as having the greatest potential for acceptance. Understanding consumer attitudes, neophobia, and levels of acceptance provides valuable insights for designing new insect-based foods.

Simple Summary: Staphylococcus aureus is a pathogenic microorganism of considerable importance as it is frequently involved in episodes of food poisoning due to the production of heat-resistant enterotoxins. Therefore, it becomes critically important to understand the capability of S. aureus to contaminate feed and food. Insects represent a new frontier in terms of feed and food production. The feed employed for rearing insects (called substrate) could represent one of the most important ways to involuntarily introduce risk in the production chain. Mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) represent one of the most studied insects both as feed and food. The present study assessed the ability of enterotoxigenic S. aureus strains to persist in the substrate and to produce enterotoxins in the reared Tenebrio molitor larvae. The results provide evidence of the potential risks related to the presence of this pathogen in the rearing environment. Tenebrio molitor (mealworm) is one of the most promising insect species to produce sustainable feed and food with high nutritional value. Insects may harbour microorganisms both in the gut and on the exoskeleton originating from the rearing environment. Staphylococcus aureus is a pathogenic microorganism frequently involved in food poisoning due to its enterotoxin production. This study aimed to evaluate the S. aureus growth and enterotoxins production following an experimental inoculation into the T. molitor rearing substrate (about 7 log CFU/g). Analyses on the substrate and larvae were performed over a testing period of seven days. The microbial population dynamics were also evaluated through total viable count and lactic acid bacteria count. The effects of fasting, washing, and cooking on the microbial loads of mealworms were evaluated. The results highlighted that mealworms and substrates can maintain their microbial loads of S. aureus over the tested period. Moreover, fasting and washing were generally not able to significantly reduce (p-value > 0.05) S. aureus count in mealworms. On the other hand, cooking significantly reduced (p-value < 0.001) the microbial load in almost all cases. No production of enterotoxins was revealed during the trial. Therefore, microbiological risks can be reduced by a wise choice of substrate, appropriate control measures, and thermal treatment of larvae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entomophagy is directly connected with culture, explaining why it is commonly rejected in Western countries. Due to increased meat consumption in recent years with its associated negative impacts on health and sustainability, the development of products based on alternative protein sources has become urgent. The larval form of Tenebrio molitor (mealworm) has the potential to substitute meat as it requires less resources and produces less emissions compared to other forms of meat production. Therefore, in this project we have aimed to develop pasta sauces with differing mealworm contents based on a common meat sauce and to test the acceptance with 91 consumers in Austria. Three sauces (100% mealworm, 50% mealworm and 50% meat, 100% meat) were developed and tested using a 9-point hedonic scale for acceptance, and the CATA (Check-All-That-Apply) method was integrated to also receive descriptive information. The analysis of the liking data revealed that the liking for the hybrid sauce with meat and mealworm content was comparable to the meat sauce (6.9 ± 1.8. vs. 6.5 ± 1.8, p > 0.05). Less liked was the sauce with the highest mealworm content (5.7 ± 1.8, p < 0.05). The CATA analysis demonstrated the strongest positive effects on the mean in terms of how much the products were liked for the attribute "fleshy" (0.8). On the other hand, the attributes "brownish" (−0.9) or "mushy" (−1.0) had the strongest negative effects on the mean of the liking of products. We have seen that meat cannot be substituted by mealworm immediately and completely. The results suggest a stepwise substitution and the further adaptation of products regarding the (negative and positive effecting) attributes to increase consumer acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insect-based food or ingredients have received tremendous attention worldwide because of their potential to ensure food and nutrition security, mitigating the reliance on land-dependent agricultural products. Indeed, insect-farming has low environmental impacts with reduced land, water and energy input. More importantly, insects are rich in high quality proteins and fats. They are also excellent sources of minerals, vitamins and bioactive compounds. Insect-based lipids are intriguing because they may contain high levels of unsaturated fatty acids particularly linoleic and α-linolenic acids. Besides, the insect-based lipids also show a considerable amount of bioactive components such as tocols, sterols and carotenoids. However, their fatty acid compositions and the nutritional values may vary depending on species, feed composition, developmental stage, geographical locations, and extraction techniques. Therefore, the present article aims to provide a comprehensive review on the fatty acid composition, the minor bioactive constituents and the physicochemical properties of fats and oils derived from insects of different orders (Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Orthoptera, Hemiptera and Diptera). The various parameters affecting the nutritional compositions of the insect-based lipids will also be highlighted. These information will definitely provide a detailed insight on the potential applications of these fats in various food systems based on their unique properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The balance of the intestinal commensal microbiome of fish and other animals plays an important role in the physiological processes of healthy animals, contributes to the defense against pathogens, stimulates the immune system and facilitates nutrient metabolism. In the last decade, the interest in the application of the insects in fish nutrition increased, although little is known regarding the effects of insect meals on the gastrointenstinal tract microbiome of the sea trout fingerlings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two diets containing mealworm (MW) and superworm (SW) on the microbiome of the digesta of sea trout fingerlings and the relative abundances of different taxa among communities under controlled conditions. Results: The insect meals produced a similar weight gain and survival rate to sea trout fed fishmeal. The most abundant bacterial phylum in all the treatment groups was Firmicutes followed by Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria, and significant differences in the amount of Cyanobacteria were observed in the SW group. Conclusions: The insect meals did not produce differences in the three most abundant phyla in the sea trout digesta. However, the effect of each type of meal on the lower taxonomic levels was evident, particularly in the case of the superworm meal. These microbiome differences indicated that mealworm meal was more related to fishmeal than superworm meal. Our results highlight the potential effects of insect meals, such as mealworm and superworm meals, on the microbiota of sea trout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aim was to test the applicability of exoskeletons and molts from mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) cultures as sorbents for anionic dyes: Reactive Black 5 (RB5) and Reactive Yellow (RY84). Factors investigated included: characteristics of sorbents (FTIR, pHPZC), the influence of pH on sorption efficiency, sorption kinetics (pseudo-first, pseudo-second-order, intraparticle diffusion models), and determination of the maximum sorption capacity (Langmuir 1, Langmuir 2, Freundlich, and Dubinin–Radushkevich models). The sorption efficiency of anionic dyes on the tested sorbents was the highest at pH 2. The time needed to reach the sorption equilibrium for both dyes was 120–150 min. The sorption kinetics of the dyes were best described by the pseudo-second-order model. Maximum sorption capacity data showed the best fit to Langmuir 2 isotherm, suggesting that at least two types of sorption centers played an important role in dye sorption. Presumably, for both of the tested sorbents, the active sites in question were protonated amine (-NH3+), acetamide (NH2COCH3+), and hydroxyl groups (-OH2+) of chitin and protein. The maximum RB5 and RY84 sorption capacity of the tested sorbents was 78.70 mg/g and 60.49 mg/g, respectively, for mealworm exoskeletons, as well as 55.72 mg/g and 44.25 mg/g, respectively, for mealworm molts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mealworm, migratory locust, and house cricket have recently been recognized by the European Commission as novel foods, thus being suitable in different food applications. In this work, we tested their powders as meat extenders at 5% (w/w) inclusion in beef burgers, considering their ability to vehicle phenolic compounds during simulated in vitro static gastrointestinal digestion (INFOGEST). Insect powders were abundant in different phenolic classes, recording the highest values in locust (LP; 314.69 mg/kg), followed by cricket (CP; 113.3 mg/kg) and mealworm (MWP; 51.9 mg/kg). Following a pan-cooking process, LP burgers were confirmed as the best source of phenolics, with a marked abundance of flavonoids and phenolic acids. Interestingly, the insect powders were found to affect the in vitro gastrointestinal bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds when compared with the CTR burger, likely promoted by the interactions between the phenolic compounds and proteins characterizing the tested insect powders. Among the most discriminant phenolic metabolites at the gastrointestinal level, we found several phenolic acids (mainly hydroxycinnamics), recording the highest content for the digested CP-containing burgers. Finally, stilbenes showed significant correlation values at the intestinal level with both antioxidant and enzymatic activities, while total flavonoids were the most correlated with the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. Taken together, our preliminary findings demonstrated that insect powders added to beef burgers can promote the bioaccessibility and potential bioavailability of phenolics in the distal tracts of the intestine.

Zophobas morio (=Zophobas atratus) and Tenebrio molitor are darkling beetles with industrial importance due to their use as feeder insects and their apparent ability to biodegrade plastics. High quality genome assemblies were recently reported for both species. Here, we report additional independent Z. morio and T. molitor genome assemblies generated from Nanopore and Illumina data. Following scaffolding against the published genomes, haploid assemblies of 462 Mb (scaffold N90 of 16.8 Mb) and 258 Mb (scaffold N90 of 5.9 Mb) were produced for Z. morio and T. molitor, respectively. Gene prediction led to the prediction of 28,544 and 19,830 genes for Z. morio and T. molitor, respectively. Benchmarking Universal Single Copy Orthologs (BUSCO) analyses suggested that both assemblies have a high level of completeness; 91.5 and 89.0% of the BUSCO endopterygota marker genes were complete in the Z. morio assembly and proteome, respectively, while 99.1 and 92.8% were complete in the T. molitor assembly and proteome, respectively. Phylogenomic analyses of four genera from the family Tenebrionidae yielded phylogenies consistent with those previously constructed based on mitochondrial genomes. Synteny analyses revealed large stretches of macrosynteny across the family Tenebrionidae, as well as numerous within-chromosome rearrangements. Finally, orthogroup analysis identified -28,000 gene families across the family Tenebrionidae, of which 8,185 were identified in all five of the analyzed species, and 10,837 were conserved between Z. morio and T. molitor. We expect that the availability of multiple whole genome sequences for Z. morio and T. molitor will facilitate population genetics studies to identify genetic variation associated with industrially relevant phenotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Veterinaria Brasilica is the property of Acta Veterinaria Brasilica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

As a sustainable food source for humans, mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) have a great deal of potential, due to the fact that they have a very favorable nutritional profile and a low environmental impact. For meal production, feed formulation and optimization are important. The mealworm Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is the most consumed insect in the world. Mealworms were given a variety of diets, including wheat bran as constant diet supplemented with different levels of Ospor (Bacillus clausii) at 0.002 g, 0.004 g, 0.006 g, and 0.008 g; imutec (Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus) at 0.2 g. 0.4 g, 0.6 g, and 0.8 g; fungi (Calocybe indica) at 250 g, 500 g, and 750 g; yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) at 50 g, 100 g, and 150 g; and wheat bran (standard diet) were examined in complete randomized design (CRD). Different parameters, i.e., the larval, pupal, and adult weight, size, life span, and nutritional profile of mealworm were studied. When compared with other insect growth promoters, only wheat bran was discovered to be the most efficient. It generated the heaviest and longest larvae at 65.03 mg and 18.32 mm, respectively, as well as pupae weighing 107.55 mg and 19.94 mm, respectively, and adults weighing 87.52 mg and 20.26 mm, respectively. It was also determined that fungi (C. indica) and ospor (B. clausii) promoted faster larval development than yeast (S. cerevisiae) and imutec (L. rhamnosus). Larval mortality was also greater in the imutec (L. rhamnosus) and yeast (S. cerevisiae) diets than the others. No pupal mortality was recorded in all diets. Furthermore, the protein content of Tenebrio. molitor raised on a diet including fungi (C. indica) was the highest at (375 g), with a content of 68.31%, followed by a concentration of (250 g) with a content of 67.84%, and wheat bran (1 kg) (normal diet) with the lowest content at 58.91%. T. molitor larvae fed a diet supplemented with bacterial and fungal had lower fat and ash content than bran-fed T. molitor larvae (standard diet). Wheat bran (normal diet) had the highest fat at 16.11%, and ash at 7.71%. Hence, it is concluded that wheat bran alone or diet containing fungi (C. indica) and ospor (B. clausii) performed better in terms of growth, and these diets and protein content are recommended for the mass rearing of mealworms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In anatomy, various methods such as boiling, maceration, and dissection are used to prepare the skeleton. However, while the existing methods are used in the skeleton preparation stage of small animals, the integrity of the skeleton is impaired, and there are difficulties in the reassembly of the bones. For this reason, it is planned to create small animal skeletons without loss and damage by using mealworms. In the study, 1100 mealworms (Arthropoda: Dermestidae) with a total weight of approximately 110 grams and three rat carcasses with a weight of approximately 177 grams were used. To observe the carcass cleaning performance of the mealworms, the initial weight and final weight of the carcass were measured with a precision scale. It was observed that on days of 3rd-5th, the meat on the rib was eaten and the ribs appeared. The vertebral column became more evident in the 6th-8th days. In the 6th-9th days, the ribs were completely cleared, and the extremity bones were visible. The skull and extremities were evident in all their details between the9th-12th days. At the end of the 15th day, it was determined that mealworms had completely exposed the rat skeleton. As a result, in this study, it was observed that approximately 1100 mealworms consumed 159 g of meat in 15 days, resulting in a lossless and undamaged rat skeleton. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of creating small animal skeleton using mealworms were determined in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nylon 11, which can be found in many commercial products, is a synthetic plastic that has previously been considered non-biodegradable. Increasing nylon 11 and other plastics in landfills and in the environment pose an environmental concern. Recent studies on plastic biodegradation revealed that initial mechanical fragmentations increase the rate of degradation. In this study, we discovered that the larvae of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) can masticate nylon 11 film at the rate of 0.25 ± 0.07 mg per fifty larvae per day. The body mass of larvae did not differ from that of starvation control while feeding on nylon 11. Comparison of gut microbiota in nylon-fed and starving larvae showed a shift in composition. There was a significant variation in community composition among the nylon 11-fed experimental groups, suggesting that many organisms are capable of metabolizing nylon 11 fragments and/or possess a growth advantage in a nylon-fed gut environment. We also discovered that a significant fraction of gut microbiome of control larvae is capable of metabolizing nylon 11 monomer (11-aminoundecanoic acid) even in the absence of prior exposure to nylon 11. This is the first study demonstrating ingestion of nylon polymers by invertebrates, and our results suggest the potential of mealworm larvae for nylon 11 biodegradation applications.

The possibility of using chitin from the molts of an insect–ealworm (Tenebrio molitor) to remove anionic (RB5, RY84) and cationic dyes (BV10, BR46) from aqueous solutions was investigated. The scope of the research included, among others: Characteristics of chitin from mealworms (FTIR, SEM, pHPZC), the effect of pH on sorption efficiency, sorption kinetics (pseudo-first, pseudo-second order, intramolecular diffusion models) and the determination of the maximum sorption capacity (Langmuir and Freundlich models). The sorption efficiency of anionic dyes on chitin from mealworm was the highest at pH 2–3, and for cationic dyes at pH 6. The equilibrium time of sorption of anionic dyes was 240–300 min and for cationic dyes it was 180–240 min. The experimental data on dye sorption kinetics was best described by the pseudo-second order model. The maximum sorption capacity of chitin from the mealworm for the anionic dyes RB5 and RY84 was 121.15 mg/g and 138.55 mg/g, respectively, and was higher than with some carbon-based materials (literature data). In the case of cationic dyes, the sorption capacity of the tested chitin was lower and reached 3.22 mg/g and 59.56 mg/g for BV10 and BR46, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mealworms, the larvae of a coleopteran insect Tenebrio molitor L., are capable of eating, living on, and degrading non-hydrolyzable vinyl plastics as sole diet. However, vinyl plastics are carbon-rich but nitrogen-deficient. It remains puzzling how plastic-eating mealworms overcome the nutritional obstacle of nitrogen limitation. Here, we provide the evidence for nitrogen fixation activity within plastic-eating mealworms. Acetylene reduction assays illustrate that the nitrogen-fixing activity ranges from 12.3 ± 0.7 to 32.9 ± 9.3 nmol ethylene·h−1·gut−1 and the corresponding fixed nitrogen equivalents of protein are estimated as 8.6 to 23.0 µg per day per mealworm. Nature nitrogen isotopic analyses of plastic-eating mealworms provide further evidence for the assimilation of fixed nitrogen as a new nitrogen source. Eliminating the gut microbial microbiota with antibiotics impairs the mealworm's ability to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere, indicating the contribution of gut microbiota to nitrogen fixation. By using the traditional culture-dependent technique, PCR and RT-PCR of nifH gene, nitrogen-fixing bacteria diversity within the gut was detected, and the genus Klebsiella was demonstrated to be an important nitrogen-fixing symbiont. These findings first build the relationship between plastic degradation (carbon metabolism) and nitrogen fixation (nitrogen metabolism) within mealworms. Combined with previously reported plastic-degrading capability and nitrogen-fixing activity, mealworms may be potential candidates for up-recycling of plastic waste to produce protein sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for valuable protein sources is increasing. The mealworm has been highlighted as a good source of protein. Nevertheless, beneficial effects of mealworm such as the antioxidative and/or anti-inflammatory effects are rarely studied. It is well-known that cranberry fruit has a strong antioxidant effect. The biologically active compounds in mealworm and cranberry could boost the antioxidative and/or anti-inflammatory effects. The current study investigated the interactive effects of mealworm protein hydrolysate (MWPH) and cranberry fruit extract (CFE) in mammals. We evaluated growth performance, relative organ weight, immune responses, antioxidant enzyme activities, blood properties, and fecal microflora. A 2 × 2 factorial experimental design was used. The co-supplementation of MWPH and CFE improved serum glutathione peroxidase. MWPH affected a lower serum IL-1β and fecal Clostridium density. The co-supplementation appeared more effective in terms of good health and potentially the prevention of disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study considered the change in survival rate, body weight and fatty acid composition of mealworm during refrigerated storage. The mealworms were kept in refrigerator (temperature : 4.5 ± 0.27°C, humidity : 22.1 ± 0.64%) for 0, 10, 20, 30 and 45 days. The mealworms were 200 individuals per group and the three groups were prepared for each storage period. We measured the survival rate, body weight and fatty acid composition of mealworm for each storage period. Survival rate and body weight decreased with increasing refrigerated storage time. The proportion of unsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids increased with increasing refrigerated storage time. Therefore, we need to consider that survival rate, body weight and fatty acid composition change with refrigerated storage time in case the mealworm is used as live feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insect production offers a sustainable source of nutrients for livestock. This comes with a risk for transmission of pathogens from the insects into the livestock sector, including viruses causing serious diseases, such as African swine fever virus (ASFV), classical swine fever virus and foot-and-mouth disease virus. ASFV is known to survive for a long time within animal meat and byproducts. Therefore, we conducted experimental exposure studies of insects to ASFV using larvae of two key insect species produced for food and feed, the mealworm; Tenebrio molitor, and the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens. The larvae were exposed to ASFV POL/2015/Podlaskie, via oral uptake of serum or spleen material from ASFV-infected pigs. Using qPCR, the amounts of viral DNA present immediately after exposure varied from ~104.7 to 107.2 genome copies per insect. ASFV DNA was detectable in the larvae of H. illucens for up to 3 days post exposure and in T. molitor larvae for up to 9 days post exposure. To assess the presence of infectious virus within the larvae and with this, the risk of virus transmission via oral consumption, pigs were fed cakes containing larvae exposed to ASFV. Pigs that consumed 50 T. molitor or 50 H. illucens virus-exposed larvae did not become infected with ASFV. Thus, it appears, that in our experimental setting, the risk of ASFV transmission via consumption of unprocessed insect larvae, used as feed, is low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Polystyrene is a plastic that leads to environmental pollution. In particular, expanded polystyrene is very light and takes up much space, causing additional environmental problems. The aim of this study was to isolate new symbiotic bacteria which degraded polystyrene from mealworms. Methods: The population of polystyrene degrading bacteria was increased by enrichment culture of intestinal bacteria from mealworms with polystyrene as a sole carbon source. The degradation activity of isolated bacteria was evaluated by morphological change of micro-polystyrene particles and the surface change of polystyrene films. Results: Eight isolated species (Acinetobacter septicus, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Klebsiella grimontii, Pseudomonas multiresinivorans, Pseudomonas nitroreducens, Pseudomonas plecoglossicida, Serratia marcescens, and Yokenella regensburgei) were identified that degrade polystyrene. Conclusion: Bacterial identification shows that a broad spectrum of bacteria decomposing polystyrene coexists in the intestinal tract of mealworms.

Research on the acceptance of consuming insects in one’s diet shows the increasing importance of this issue in the context of a sustainable food chain and ecology. Insects represent a promising food source due to their high nutritional value, efficiency in production, and minimal environmental impact, as well as the growing awareness of ecological issues. Despite these benefits, cultural and psychological barriers hinder the acceptance of consuming insects in Western countries. In this study, an assessment was made of the acceptance level of cream-type soups made from tomatoes and white vegetables with the addition of 20% flour from four insect species: mealworm (T. molitor); house cricket (A. domesticus); buffalo worm (A. diaperinus); and grasshopper (R. differens), compared to a control sample. One hundred and four subjects (55 seniors and 49 young adults) participated in this study. The acceptance level of various soups with insect flour was evaluated, considering different sensory parameters such as appearance, smell, taste, and texture. The research showed that older people have a lower acceptance for dishes containing insects compared to young adults, but the differences in the responses given were not statistically significant (p = 0.05), rejecting the assumption that insect-based products should be mainly targeted at young people. Of all the proposed test samples, the mealworm (T. molitor) was the most acceptable insect species in the tests in both taste versions for both age groups. The average score was 6.63 points on a 10-point scale. The products with the addition of grasshopper (R. differens) were rated the lowest. The acceptance level ranged between 4.23 and 4.38 points. A multiple regression analysis showed that taste and texture had the strongest influence on the overall acceptance of these dishes, and the results obtained were highly correlated with the general opinion of the testers. The increasing acceptance level and growing interest in this type of food can be a positive step towards sustainable and efficient food production.

This study aimed to determine the physicochemical, nutritional, antioxidant, and sensory properties of crackers with the addition of edible insects. The analyses covered the contents of total dry matter, crude protein, fat and ash; amino acid composition and antioxidant activity (DPPH method); total polyphenol content; mineral compound composition (AAS); caloric value; and sensory profile (aroma, taste, general appearance, overall acceptability) of the durable pastry—crackers supplemented with 5% of powder of edible insects (cricket, mealworm, and grasshopper). Appropriate research methods were used for analyses. Studies have shown that the contents of dry matter, crude protein, fat and all amino acids detected were higher in the samples with the addition of insects compared to the control sample. The highest antioxidant activity was assayed in the sample with the addition of grasshopper powder. The highest content of total polyphenols was determined in the sample with the addition of mealworm. The addition of insects positively affected the content of mineral substances—especially zinc—in the sample with cricket powder addition. The results of this study show that edible insects are an attractive raw material, which can in future expand the assortment of food products available on the market and increase the nutritional benefits of enriched products.