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This study aimed to evaluate the chemical and biological quality of Gryllus assimilis flour, through the analysis of nutritional and biochemical parameters of tests on young rats (Rattus norvegicus – Fischer). The most deficient essential amino acid was methionine, with a chemical score of 56.40%. For the net protein ratio (NPR) and net protein utilisation (NPU) ratio, the diet containing unsupplemented cricket flour was not enough to reach the NPR and NPU levels of the control group and was insufficient to promote weight gain in the rats. The addition of methionine and wheat bran increased the digestibility of the cricket flour, which resulted in a significant improvement in the levels of cricket protein utilisation, increasing the rates mentioned above and promoting weight gain in the rats. Based on our results, we can state that considering the age of the study animals, cricket meal was a sufficient source of protein for maintenance of body weight, but not for weight gain. Based on biochemical parameters (total protein, albumin, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, creatinine, urea), the cricket meal did not compromise the general health of the study animals. We therefore conclude that the addition of other sources of methionine to cricket flour can be a fundamental strategy for better use of cricket proteins in the diet.

6. Gryllus (Gryllus) assimilis (Fabricius, 1775) (Fig. 7) — i) calling song, 3.8 kHz ± 0.13 (3.58–3.93, n = 4); chirps with 6 to 9 pulses; 84 Ch/min ± 19.4 (60–114, n = 4); Pp = 0.02 s ± 0.002 (0.017 –0.022, n = 2); 23.6ºC ± 0.94 (23–25, n = 4) (Fig. 73); ii) State of São Paulo, municipalities of Colombia, Campos do Jordão (Parque Estadual de Campos do Jordão) and Rio Claro; State of Espírito Santo, municipality of Cariacica (Reserva Biológica de Duas Bocas); iii) present paper; Zefa & Fontanetti (2002); David et al. (2003)., Published as part of Zefa, Edison, Martins, Luciano De Pinho, Demari, Christian Peter, Acosta, Riuler Corrêa, Centeno, Elliott, Castro-Souza, Rodrigo Antônio, Oliveira, Gabriel Lobregat De, Miyoshi, Akio Ronaldo, Fianco, Marcos, Redü, Darlan Rutz, Timm, Vitor Falchi, Costa, Maria Kátia Matiotti Da & Szinwelski, Neucir, 2022, Singing crickets from Brazil (Orthoptera: Gryllidea), an illustrated checklist with access to the sounds produced, pp. 211-237 in Zootaxa 5209 (2) on page 218, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5209.2.4, http://zenodo.org/record/7325966, {"references":["Zefa, E. & Fontanetti, C. S. (2002) Pars stridens morphology and acoustic signal emission in the reprodutive behavior of Gryllus assimilis Fabricius, 1775 (Orthoptera, Gryllidae). Naturalia (Sao Jose do Rio Preto), Rio Claro - Sao Paulo, 27, 133 - 143.","David, J. A. de O., Zefa, E. & Fontanetti, C. S. (2003) Cryptic species of Gryllus in the light of bioacoustic (Orthoptera: Gryllidae). Neotropical Entomology, 32, 75 - 80. https: // doi. org / 10.1590 / S 1519 - 566 X 2003000100010"]}

Edible insects are repeatedly being considered as underutilized food candidate due to their high nutritional value. Although frequent acceptance of whole insects to consumer is still challenging, incorporation of insects in food as powder or paste has been suggested to increase their acceptability. Hence, Acheta domesticus and Gryllus assimilis were subjected to freeze drying, oven drying, and blanching to acquire a clear insight on the impact of the processing methods on the nutritional and physical properties of both species. Result showed that these three methods had limited effects on the proximate composition, fatty acid and amino acid profile but had significant impact on other parameters for both species. Vitamin B12 in A. domesticus did not change but G. assimilis changed due to the treatment. Freeze drying showed better lightness (L* value) and lower browning index for both cricket species. Oven drying and blanching resulted in lower lipid oxidation values than freeze drying for both cricket species; though lipid oxidation was in all cases well below the rejection limit. Esters were the predominant group of volatile compound in freeze and oven-dried cricket while least amount of volatiles were found in blanched cricket. The volatiles resulted from fatty acid oxidation were higher in freeze-dried crickets, while Maillard reaction products were found in oven-dried samples. Although freeze drying showed higher colour quality, oven drying exerted superior effect in terms of nutritional and flavour characteristics followed by blanching treatment.

Agradecimentos: This study was financed by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development––Brazil (CNPq) (Process Number 430579/2018-7) and Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel––Brazil (CAPES) (Finance Code 001). Acknowledgments to Agrin Criação e Comércio de Insetos LTDA for gently donating cricket samples for the production of protein concentrate Abstract: The development of innovative ingredients through biotechnological routes has established insect proteins as an emerging source of bioactive peptides. The current study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant properties of black cricket (Gryllus assimilis) protein hydrolysates produced using the proteases FlavourzymeTM 500L, AlcalaseTM 2.4L, and NeutraseTM 0.8L, either individually or in binary/ternary combinations. The enzymatic hydrolysis promoted an increase of approximately 160% in total antioxidant capacity and 93% in the ferric reducing antioxidant power. The isolated use of the enzyme FlavourzymeTM 500L showed the most prominent positive effect on the antioxidant properties, presenting an IC50 value of 455 and 71 µg/mL for DPPH and ABTS radicals scavenging activities, respectively. This sample was composed mainly of small peptides (MW < 3 kDa), in which the antioxidant properties increased after fractionation by ultrafiltration. Gel electrophoresis analysis showed protein hydrolysates composed mainly of polypeptide chains with a mass of less than 14 kDa. Finally, the enzymatic treatment proved to be an efficient process to improve the antioxidant properties of black cricket proteins, increasing the possibility of applying these hydrolysates as bioactive ingredients in food or nutraceutical products CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQ COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPES Fechado

This study aims to determine the diversity of existing soil macrofauna at coffee plantations located at Batu Kalung village, Muara Kemumu subdistrict of Kepahiang regency. This research was conducted in February 2018 at the coffee plantations area. The methods used in this research were pitfall-trap and hand sorting. The result of the study at the site found there are 9 orders of macraofauna consisting of 11 families, 13 species, and 188 spesimen.The species found were Heterometrus lepturus, Scolopendrae morsitans, Trigoniulus corallines, Neocurtilla hexadactylla, Gryllus assimilis, Ceuthophilus maculates, Dolichoderus bituberculatus, Componotus carnelus, Blatta germanica, Blattella orientalis, Odontotaenius disjunctus, Ponthoscolex corethurus, and Hirudo medicinalis. The calculation of soil macrofauna index in coffee plantations found a number of 0.942. This indicates that that the level of soil macrofauna diversity at the coffee plantations is low. The highest soil macrofauna diversity index was found on Ponthoscolex corethurus, which is 0.146. In the contrary, the lowest diversity index was found onHeterometrus lepturus species, 0.011. In addition, The average physics-chemical factor of soil at the coffee plantation was obtained that the soil temperature is 280C, soil pH of 5.8, and soil moisture of 67

Informe elaborado por la Red de Seguridad Alimentaria del CONICET. Grupo AD HOC "Polvo de Insectos". Diciembre (2021). This document arises from scientific assistance requested from the CONICET Food Safety Network (RSA – CONICET) by the National Directorate of Agrifood Safety and Quality (DNICA) of SENASA. As a result of this request, a search for experts was carried out to form the ad hoc group of researchers (GIAH), which carried out a bibliographic search and drafted a guide with the aim of orienting on common and safe practices for the production of food ingredients that They use insects as raw material. It should be noted that both the stages and the procedures described in this document should be taken as suggestions or recommendations based on scientific background, which are intended to present a possible product for the use, in principle, of crickets of the Gryllus assimilis species. intended for human consumption. El presente documento surge a partir de una asistencia científica solicitada a la Red de Seguridad Alimentaria del CONICET (RSA – CONICET) por parte de la Dirección Nacional de Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (DNICA) del SENASA. A raíz de esta solicitud, se realizó la búsqueda de expertos para conformar el grupo de investigadores ad hoc (GIAH) el cual realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica y redactó una guía con el objetivo de orientar sobre prácticas comunes y seguras para la producción de ingredientes alimentarios que utilizan insectos como materia prima. Cabe destacar que tanto las etapas como los procedimientos descriptos en el presente documento deben ser tomados como sugerencias o recomendaciones basadas en antecedentes científicos, las cuales tienen por objetivo de presentar un posible producto para la utilización, en principio, de grillos de la especie Gryllus assimilis destinados al consumo humano. Instituto de Investigación de Tecnología de Alimentos (ITA) Fil: Ambrosi, Vanina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Investigación Tecnología de Alimentos; Argentina. Fil: Caporaletti, Daniel. Grillos Capos. Dirección; Argentina. Fil: Fernandez Arhex, Valeria Cristina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Bariloche; Argentina. Fil: Fernandez Arhex, Valeria Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Fil: Fernandez Arhex, Valeria Cristina. Instituto de Investigaciones Forestales y Agropecuarias Bariloche (IFAB). INTA - CONICET; Argentina. Fil: Gallardo, Gabriela Laura. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial. Departamento de Desarrollo de Ingredientes; Argentina. Fil: Lilllo, María Inés. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Zoología Agrícola; Argentina. Fil: Luna, Agustín. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas. IIBYT-CONICET-UNC; Argentina. Fil: Luna, Agustín. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Alimentos; Argentina. Fil: Pazos, Adriana Alejandra. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Investigación Tecnología de Alimentos; Argentina. Fil: Pesquero, Natalia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Investigación Tecnología de Alimentos; Argentina. Fil: Polenta, Gustavo Alberto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Investigación Tecnología de Alimentos; Argentina.

RESUMO Atualmente, tem-se discutido a utilização de insetos na alimentação animal devido ao seu potencial para substituir as fontes tradicionais de proteína utilizadas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a composição nutricional de larvas de Tenebrio molitor e de grilos do gênero Gryllus assimilis. Os teores de energia bruta (kcal/kg), proteína bruta (g/kg), extrato etéreo (g/kg), cinza (g/kg), FDN (g/kg) e FDA (g/kg) encontrados nas larvas de Tenebrio molitor foram de 7.188,6, 490,2, 335,4, 36,8, 71,8, e 64,0 respectivamente; nos grilos (Gryllus assimilis), os valores foram de 5.942,6, 541,3, 75,2, 49,1, 277,8, e 193,0 respectivamente. Os macros e microminerais quantificados foram fósforo, potássio, sódio, cálcio, magnésio, ferro, manganês, zinco e cobre. Nas larvas de Tenebrio molitor, os valores encontrados foram de 8,56 g/kg, 8,39 g/kg, 1,39 g/kg, 0,44 g/kg, 2,3 g/kg, 48,4 mg/kg, 15 mg/kg, 189 mg/kg e 18 mg/kg respectivamente. Para os grilos (Gryllus assimilis), os teores encontrados foram respectivamente de 8,30 g/kg, 11,6 g/kg, 1,10 g/kg, 3,88 g/kg, 0,82 g/kg, 96,8 mg/kg, 23,7 mg/kg, 18,3 mg/kg e 21,7 mg/kg. Larvas de Tenebrio molitor e grilos do gênero Gryllus assimilis podem ser alternativas para reduzir o uso de fontes de proteína vegetal na alimentação animal.

Insects are rich in major nutrients, such as protein and fat. Recently, minor nutrients like vitamins have become the subjects of interest in insects. Hence, this study reports on the development and validation of a method for the determination of vitamin B12 in mealworm (Tenebrio molitor larvae), cricket (Gryllus assimilis), grasshopper (Locusta migratoria) and cockroach (Shelfordella lateralis), using an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography approach with preliminary immunoaffinity chromatography sample preparation. The method was validated regarding linearity, specificity, accuracy and precision, as well as limits of detection/quantification, and was found to be satisfactory for the desired application. Found levels of vitamin B12 were 1.08 µg/100 g for mealworm, 2.88 µg/100 g for cricket, 0.84 µg/100 g for grasshopper, and 13.2 µg/100 g dry weight for cockroach, representing the first validated report on the content of vitamin B12 in edible insects. Observed interferences are likely caused by the presence of pseudovitamin B12.

This study aimed to determine the composition and relative abundance of soil insects associated with lucumo (Pouteria lucuma L.) trees growing in the agricultural fields of the Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina in Lima, Peru. In total, 12 pitfall traps were installed in a 5-ha lucumo field and samples were collected on a weekly basis for approximately 4 months (March–June). Insects in each sample were separated into morphotypes, and the number of individuals in each morphotype and date of collection were recorded. The collected insects were then identified at the Entomology Museum laboratory in Lima through comparison with museum samples and with the help of identification keys. Individuals in the orders Orthoptera (families Acrididae and Gryllidae), Dermaptera (Anisolabididae), Coleoptera (Carabidae, Staphylinidae, Tenebrionidae, Scarabaeidae and Elateridae), Blattodea (Blatellidae) and Hymenoptera (Formicidae) were identified. Among the Coleoptera, Tetracha chilensis (Laporte, 1834) (Carabidae) was the most abundant species; furthermore, Staphylinidae of the subfamily Oxytelinae and the families Elateridae (Conoderus spp.), Tenebrionidae (Epitragopsis sp.) and Scarabaeidae (Ataenius sp.) were identified. Additional taxa identified were as follow: Gryllus assimilis (Fabricius, 1775) (Gryllidae) in Orthoptera, Euborellia annulipes (Lucas, 1847) (Anisolabididae) in Dermaptera and Linepithema spp. in Hymenoptera.

The use of insects as food represents a more sustainable and adequate production system to meet the growing demand for food. In Brazil, the main insects bred in captivity are intended only for animal feed. This work evaluated the nutritional profile of two insect species - Gryllus assimilis (GA) and Zophobas morio (ZM), grown in Brazil. The results showed that the species GA presented 65.52% of proteins, 21.80% lipids, 8,6% carbohydrates and 408% ashes, and the ZM species 46.80% proteins, 43.64% lipids, 8.17% ashes and 1.39% carbohydrates. The content of palmitic, oleic and linoleic acid was the most expressive in the insects. In relation to the mineral containing calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc were the minerals with the most expressive concentrations. When compared to other commonly used food sources edible insects can supply significant amounts of proteins, lipids, and minerals a nutritional supply suited to biological needs.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been increasingly more prevalent due to their use in product technology owing to their exceptional electrical and thermal conductivity and tensile strength because of their nanostructure and strength of the bonds among carbon atoms. The potential increase of CNTs in the environment is a concern, and studies to assess the toxic effects of these nanomaterials (NMs) are needed. However, so far, most of the studies are focused on aquatic species and much less is understood about the effects of NM in terrestrial organisms. This investigation used a functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube (f-MWCNT) and the Jamaican cricket Gryllus assimilis to assess the effects of this NM. Cricket nymphs were injected with f-MWCNT suspension-at three different concentrations. The insecticide Fipronil was used as a positive control. Survival was monitored, and histological analysis was made in the brains. Pyknotic cells were quantified in two brain regions, a neurosecretory called Pars intercerebralis (PI), and an associative region called mushroom body (MB). No mortality was observed in any f-MWCNT concentration tested. A significant increase in pyknotic cells was observed as sub-lethal effect for the intermediate concentration of f-MWCNT, at PI, while any significant change was observed at the Kenyon cells of the MB. These results are discussed in the context of agglomeration and dispersion of the f-MWCNT at different concentrations, and availability of the f-MWCNT on the circulatory system, as well as the natural decay of pyknotic cells with time and different patterns of adult cricket neurogenesis. Our results showed that f-MWCNT had negative effects in the neurosecretory region of the brain.

Sexually selected traits, including threat signals, have been shown to scale steeply positively with body size because their exaggeration maximizes honest signalling. However, the functional allometry hypothesis makes the opposite prediction for some weapons: because the biomechanics of force applied in their use may favor relatively smaller size, sexually selected weapons may exhibit negative allometry. Tests of these ideas in insects have largely focused on holometabolous species, whose adult body size is entirely dependent on nutrients acquired during the larval stage. In contrast, hemimetabolous insects may exhibit different patterns of allometry development because they forage throughout development, between successive moults. Here, we tested complementary and competing predictions made by the positive and functional allometry hypotheses, regarding intrasexually selected trait allometry in a hemimetabolous insect, the Jamaican field cricket (Gryllus assimilis). As expected, head width (a dominance and/or combat trait) was more positively allometric than non-sexually selected traits. In contrast, and consistent with the functional allometry hypothesis, mouthparts (weapons) were either isometric or negatively allometric. We also tested whether trait allometry responded to rearing diet by raising males on either a high protein diet or a high carbohydrate diet; we predicted stronger positive allometry under the high protein diet. However, diet did not influence allometry in the predicted manner. Overall, our results support the functional allometry hypothesis regarding sexually selected trait allometry and raise intriguing possibilities for integrating these ideas with recent paradigms for classifying intrasexually selected traits.

La entomofagia es el consumo de insectos por los seres humanos, y es una opción que complementa la dieta de 2000 millones de personas. En 2030 tendremos que alimentar a más de 9.000 millones de personas, además de a los miles de millones de animales que se crían anualmente con fines alimentarios, recreativos o como mascotas. Los insectos destacan por su capacidad de producir proteína de manera más eficiente y ambientalmente sostenible que las ganaderías tradicionales. Sin embargo, los insectos presentan una composición nutricional y biodisponibilidad de nutrientes muy variada entre especies y estadíos de su ciclo de vida, por lo que se requieren estudios metabólicos de las principales especies destinadas a la insecticultura, con la finalidad de estandarizar dichos valores. El objetivo del trabajo es obtener un método para incorporar ácidos grasos marcados radioactivamente al metabolismo de insectos de la especie Gryllus assimilis, y conocer su capacidad de bioconversión. La incorporación mejora significativamente cuando el ácido graso marcado radioactivamente es metabolizado al menos una hora y media en el organismo del grillo. Las incubaciones con 18:0, 18:1n-9, 18:2n-6 y 18:3n-3 marcados con 1-14C mostraron actividades de bioconversión ya descritas en grillos como la de las elongasas o la de las desaturasas Δ9 y Δ12. Sin embargo, también se observó la capacidad de desaturación mediante las actividades Δ6 y Δ15, no reportadas con anterioridad. Entomophagy is the consumption of insects by humans and is an option that supplements the diet of 2 billion people. In 2030, we will have to feed more than 9 billion people in addition to the billions of animals that are raised annually for food, recreationally, or pet purposes. Insects stand out for their ability to produce protein more efficiently and environmentally sustainable than traditional livestock. However, insects have a wide variety of nutritional compositions and bioavailability of nutrients between species and stages of their life cycle, for which metabolic studies of the main species destined for insecticulture are required, to standardize these values. The aim of this work is to obtain a method to incorporate radiolabeled fatty acids into the metabolism of insect species Gryllus assimilis and learn about their bioconversion capacity. Incorporation improves significantly when radiolabeled fatty acids are metabolized for at least an hour and a half in the cricket’s organism. The incubation of radiolabeled 18:0, 18:1n-9, 18:2n-6 y 18:3n-3 marked with 1- 14C showed activities of bioconversion already described in crickets as elongases or Δ9 and Δ12 desaturases. However, the ability to desaturate using Δ6 and Δ15 activity was also observed which have barely been described in this group.

Orientador: Ruann Janser Soares de Castro Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos Resumo: Os insetos comestíveis apresentam-se como um segmento potencial a ser explorado na obtenção de nutrientes, especialmente proteínas. Além disso, o sistema de criação de insetos pode ser classificado como ambientalmente favorável no que tange à emissão de gases do efeito estufa e ao uso de terras, água e energia, quando comparado aos sistemas para produção de fontes proteicas tradicionais. Por serem excelentes fontes proteicas, os insetos são importantes substratos para a produção de peptídeos bioativos. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a biotransformação de proteínas extraídas do grilo-preto (Gryllus assimilis) por meio de processo fermentativo submerso utilizando linhagens de fungos filamentosos do gênero Aspergillus para obtenção de peptídeos com propriedades bioativas. A linhagem que apresentou os melhores resultados em relação à produção de enzimas proteolíticas (1,02 U mL–1) e de peptídeos com propriedades antioxidantes (97,87 µmol TE g–1 para o ensaio ABTS e 169,40 µmol TE g–1 para o ensaio FRAP) foi Aspergillus niger LBA02. Em seguida, esta linhagem foi selecionada para a próxima etapa, que consistiu na execução de um Delineamento Composto Central Rotacional (DCCR) para avaliar o efeito das concentrações das proteínas do grilo-preto (BCPC) e de glicose no meio de cultura sobre a produção de proteases e de peptídeos bioativos. Um estudo cinético no qual amostras foram recolhidas a cada 24 h ao longo de 96 h de fermentação também foi conduzido. O estudo das variáveis de processo utilizando o DCCR resultaram em melhoria considerável na produção de proteases em relação ao meio de cultura inicialmente utilizado, com um aumento da atividade enzimática dos extratos fermentados brutos superior a 8 vezes, após 96 h de fermentação. A caracterização bioquímica da protease produzida mostrou que a enzima foi mais ativa na faixa de pH variando entre 4,0 e 5,0 e temperaturas variando entre 40 e 55 °C. Em relação à produção de peptídeos com propriedades antioxidantes, o estudo de parâmetros pelo DCCR também permitiu atingir aumentos aproximados de 8, 7 e 5 vezes na atividade biológica para os ensaios de DPPH, ABTS e FRAP, respectivamente. De maneira geral, tempos de fermentação mais longos incidiram em maior produção dos peptídeos, atingindo os valores máximos de 290,79 µmol TE g–1 para o método DPPH após 72 h de fermentação, 862,82 µmol TE g–1 para o método ABTS após 96 h de fermentação e 1020,11 µmol TE g– 1 para o método FRAP, também após 96 h. A análise das superfícies de resposta geradas a partir dos modelos estatisticamente significativos (p ? 0,10) revelou que os maiores valores de atividade antioxidante foram encontrados nos ensaios que continham os menores teores de BCPC adicionados ao meio de cultivo. Os resultados demonstram a viabilidade de aplicação das proteínas do grilo-preto como substrato para a produção de peptídeos bioativos. O produto fermentado pode ser aplicado em diferentes setores, como alimentação humana e animal ou como nutracêuticos, com o apelo de ser obtido por meio de um processo mais sustentável Abstract: Edible insects are a potential segment to be explored in obtaining nutrients, especially proteins. In addition, the insect cultivating system can be classified as environmentally favorable with regard to the emission of greenhouse gases and the use of land, water and energy, when compared to systems for the production of traditional protein sources. As they are excellent sources of protein, insects are important substrates for the production of bioactive peptides. In this context, the aim of this work was to evaluate the biotransformation of proteins extracted from the black cricket (Gryllus assimilis) by means of a submerged fermentation process using strains of filamentous fungi from the genus Aspergillus for the obtention of peptides with bioactive properties. The strain that showed the best results in relation to the production of proteolytic enzymes (1.02 U mL–1) and peptides with antioxidant properties (97.87 µmol TE g–1 for the ABTS assay and 169.40 µmol TE g–1 for the FRAP assay) was Aspergillus niger LBA02. This strain was selected for the next step, which consisted of performing a Central Composite Rotational Design (CCRD) to evaluate the effect of the black-cricket protein concentrate (BCPC) and glucose in the culture medium on the production of proteases and bioactive peptides. A kinetic study in which samples were collected every 24 h over a 96-h fermentation process was also conducted. The study of process variables using the CCRD resulted in considerable improvement in enzyme production in relation to the culture medium initially used, with an increase in the enzymatic activity of the fermented crude extracts greater than 8 times, after 96 h of fermentation. The biochemical characterization of the produced protease showed that the enzyme was more active in the pH range ranging between 4.0 and 5.0 and temperatures ranging between 40 and 55 °C. Regarding the production of peptides with antioxidant properties, the CCRD also allowed to achieve approximate increases of 8, 7 and 5 times in biological activity for the DPPH, ABTS and FRAP methods, respectively. In general, longer fermentation times resulted in higher peptide production, reaching the maximum values of 290.79 µmol TE g–1 for the DPPH method after 72 h of fermentation, 862.82 µmol TE g–1 for the method ABTS after 96 h of fermentation and 1020.11 µmol TE g–1 for the FRAP method, also after 96 h. The analysis of the contour surfaces generated from the statistically significant models (p ? 0.10) revealed that the highest values of antioxidant activity were found in the tests that contained the lowest levels of BCPC added to the culture medium. These results demonstrate the suitability of black-cricket proteins as substrate for the production of bioactive peptides. The fermented product can be applied in different sectors, such as human and animal food or nutraceuticals, with the appeal of being obtained through a more sustainable process Mestrado Ciência de Alimentos Mestra em Ciência de Alimentos CNPQ 131758/2019-5 CAPES 001

To determine the chemical composition and digestibility of insect meal for poultry made from the larvae of Tenebrio molitor (TL) and nymphs of Gryllus assimilis (GAN) a total excreta collection test was carried out, substituting 20% of the reference diet with each type of meal. The meals presented 6074 and 5975 kcal/Kg of gross energy, with 49.34% and 52.66% protein for TL and GAN respectively. The most nutrient digestibility was less than 65%, except for energy and ether-extract digestibility in the meal from Tenebrio molitor larvae, which were over 70%. The meals under analysis can be used as a source of nutrients in poultry diets.

The effects of reproduction are variable among insects, as well as the time of mate. In animals, a trade-off is usually observed between reproduction and self-maintenance, mostly in females because of egg producing costs. In the present investigation, manifestations of aging and senescence at population and cellular levels were studied associated with the mating opportunities. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of mating on lifespan and also on the physiological aging in adult Jamaican field cricket females, Gryllus assimilis (Fabricius, 1775). Three experimental groups were set: virgin, normal-mated (14 days old), and late-mated (30 days old) insects. Lifespan, age-specific mortality rate, number of eggs laid, and in situ amount of the age-pigment neurolipofuscin were quantified. Results showed a trade-off between reproductive females and lifespan, with the strongest effects found in late-mated. Age-specific mortality showed a faster increase for late-mated females from 35 to 50 days old, followed by normal-mated females (35 to 60 days old). Virgins had the lowest age-specific mortality of all, increasing just from 65 to 73 days old. Normal-mated had the highest number of eggs laid, followed by late-mated and virgins, respectively. Neurolipofuscin accumulation rate was similar among groups, which was reflected in similar physiological rate of aging. Results indicate that reproductive status did affect the life-history of these field cricket females.

To determine the chemical composition and digestibility of insect meal for poultry made from the larvae of Tenebrio molitor (TL) and nymphs of Gryllus assimilis (GAN) a total excreta collection test was carried out, substituting 20% of the reference diet with each type of meal. The meals presented 6074 and 5975 kcal/Kg of gross energy, with 49.34% and 52.66% protein for TL and GAN respectively. The most nutrient digestibility was less than 65%, except for energy and ether-extract digestibility in the meal from Tenebrio molitor larvae, which were over 70%. The meals under analysis can be used as a source of nutrients in poultry diets. Made available in DSpace on 2020-11-12T14:22:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ChemicalCompositionNutrientDigestibilityInsectAABC92.2020.pdf: 268949 bytes, checksum: a3843d675cee589c742dbed0060c1793 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2020

Orientador: Ruann Janser Soares de Castro Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos Resumo: Os insetos são considerados altamente nutritivos e seu uso como parte da dieta humana é praticado em muitas partes do mundo. Devido ao seu alto teor de proteínas, eles vêm sendo estudados como substratos para a geração de peptídeos bioativos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a obtenção de peptídeos com propriedades antioxidantes, antidiabéticas e anti-hipertensivas a partir de um concentrado proteico de grilo-preto ("Gryllus assimilis") hidrolisado enzimaticamente por diferentes preparações comerciais de proteases. As enzimas Flavourzyme® 500L, Alcalase® 2.4L e Neutrase® 0.8L foram aplicadas individualmente ou em combinações binárias/ternárias e os efeitos sinérgicos e antagônicos dessas combinações sobre as potenciais propriedades bioativas dos hidrolisados proteicos foram determinados. A hidrólise enzimática do concentrado proteico de grilo-preto permitiu a formação de peptídeos com alta atividade antioxidante, aumentando em até 160% a capacidade antioxidante total e 93% o poder de redução de íons ferro (FRAP)... O resumo poderá ser visualizado no texto completo da tese digital Abstract: Insects are considered highly nutritious and their use as part of the human diet is practiced in many parts of the world. Due to their high protein content, they have been studied as substrates for the generation of bioactive peptides. The objective of this work was to evaluate the obtaining of peptides with antioxidant, antidiabetic and antihypertensive properties using a black cricket ("Gryllus assimilis") protein concentrate enzymatically hydrolyzed by different commercial protease preparations. The enzymes FlavourzymeTM 500L, AlcalaseTM 2.4L, and NeutraseTM 0.8L were used individually or in binary/ternary combinations and the synergistic and antagonistic effects of these combinations on the potential bioactive properties of protein hydrolysates were determined. The enzymatic hydrolysis of the black cricket protein concentrate allowed the formation of peptides with high antioxidant activity, increasing up to 160% the total antioxidant capacity and 93% the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)... The abstract is available with the full electronic document Mestrado Ciência de Alimentos Mestra em Ciência de Alimentos CAPES 001 CNPQ 430579/2018-7

Made available in DSpace on 2022-05-01T00:16:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-05-29 The common black field cricket, Gryllus assimilis (Orthoptera: Gryllidae), damages young plants of red cedar, Juniperus virginiana (Cupressaceae); strawberry, Fragaria × ananassa (Rosaceae); sugarcane, Saccharum officinarum (Poaceae); teak, Tectona grandis (Lamiaceae); upland cotton, Gossypium hirsutum (Malvaceae); and, mainly, Eucalyptus spp. (Myrtaceae). The objective of this study was to investigate the biological and behavioral parameters of this insect in the laboratory and in Eucalyptus spp. plantations in Inhambupe, Bahia State, Brazil. The incubation period and the viability of G. assimilis eggs were 11.87 days and approximately 22%, respectively. The duration of the nymphal stage was 62.34 days with approximately 60% of the nymphs obtained in the laboratory being females. The average number of egg batches per female, eggs per female, and eggs per batch per female of this insect were 25.50, 862.17, and 34.65, respectively. G. assimilis females lived for 76.50 days in the adult stage, and 138.34 days in total, from egg through nymph to adult. Males produced three characteristic sounds: one for the marking of territory, one for courtship, and one when alone. G. assimilis fed primarily on weeds but, in their absence, it damaged young Eucalyptus spp. plants. This paper presents important data on the biology and behavior of G. assimilis; this information may encourage additional biological research, laboratory rearing, and integrated management of this pest. Bracell Ltd., rua Dr. José Tiago Correa, s/n°, bairro Alagoinhas Velha Asia Pacific Resources International Holdings Ltd. (APRIL) PT. Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper (RAPP) Departamento de Ciências Ambientais Universidade Federal de São Carlos Embrapa Florestas Departamento de Proteção Vegetal Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” Departamento de Entomologia/BIOAGRO Universidade Federal de Viçosa Departamento de Proteção Vegetal Universidade Estadual Paulista “Júlio de Mesquita Filho”

Submitted by Mario BC (mario@bc.ufrpe.br) on 2022-04-08T13:09:37Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Raphael Henrique de Moura Pereira.pdf: 1978262 bytes, checksum: 9b2bb7d661f3090f1e2fa961dbdde2c8 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2022-04-08T13:09:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Raphael Henrique de Moura Pereira.pdf: 1978262 bytes, checksum: 9b2bb7d661f3090f1e2fa961dbdde2c8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2019-12-19 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES The analytical quality is a parameter of relevance in chemical analyses for guaranteeing the reliability and traceability of analytical results. Normally, it is achieved using Certified Reference Materials – CRM. However, not all matrices are available as CRMs in the market. As the edible insects are considered the future food in terms of meat substitution, the CRM production using this matrix type becomes fundamental. The present work has studied the utilization of black cricket insect (Gryllus assimilis) as a RM candidate by means of preparation, bottling and minimum mass determination and homogeneity assays, as well as the nutrient determination of this matrix. The sample preparation process consisted of milling, sieving and freeze-drying, followed by quartering and bottling of the material with posterior irradiation. The obtained batch was composed by 40 bottles containing 4 g of dried material and with maximum particle size of 80 μm. The residual humidity determination was carried out by the comparison of two drying methods (oven and freeze-dryer), while the mass minimum determination was performed by comparing the obtained values for analytical portions of 20 mg, 150 mg and 500 mg, applying the EDXRF (Cl, P and S) and FAAS (Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) techniques. As the main property of the RM candidate, the homogeneity was assessed by the FAAS technique for evaluating the distribution of Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn in the material. The chemical characterization of the candidate was carried out through the EDXRF and ICP-OES techniques. The candidate showed residual water content of 7%, in which the best method for this determination was oven-drying. The results of minimum mass assay indicated that, among the analytical portions studied, 500 mg was the recommended minimum mass for the use of RM candidate, however, for some chemical elements, lower masses could be employed (between 150 e 500 mg). The preparation and bottling of the RM candidate was considered adequate since the homogeneity has been demonstrated for Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn at the 95% confidence level. With the chemical characterization, the material, besides of being protein source, had high concentrations of the Ca, Cl, K, Mg, Na, P and S nutrients, showing nutritional relevance. A exatidão e a precisão são os parâmetros mais relevantes nas análises químicas, pois garante a confiabilidade e rastreabilidade dos resultados analíticos. Normalmente, esses parâmetros são alcançados pela utilização de Materiais de Referência Certificados - MRC. Porém, nem todas as matrizes estão contempladas pelos MRC disponíveis no mercado. Como os insetos comestíveis são considerados o alimento do futuro por serem substitutos das carnes, a produção de MRC utilizando esse tipo matriz torna-se fundamental. O presente trabalho avaliou o emprego do inseto grilo-preto (Gryllus assimilis) como candidato a MR a partir da sua preparação, envase e ensaios de determinação de massa mínima e de homogeneidade, bem como a caracterização química de nutrientes dessa matriz. O processo de preparação da amostra consistiu em moagem, peneiramento e secagem em liofilizador, seguido de quarteamento e envase do material com posterior irradiação. O lote obtido foi composto por 40 frascos contendo 4 g de material seco e de tamanho máximo de partículas de 80 μm. A determinação de umidade residual foi realizada pela comparação de dois métodos de secagem (estufa e liofilizador), enquanto a determinação da massa mínima foi realizada comparando-se os valores obtidos para porções analíticas de 20 mg, 150 mg e 500 mg pelo uso das técnicas por EDXRF (Cl, P e S) e FAAS (Cu, Fe, Mn e Zn). Como a principal propriedade de um candidato a MR, a homogeneidade foi avaliada pela técnica FAAS para a distribuição de Cu, Fe, Mn e Zn no material. A caracterização química do candidato foi realizada a partir da técnica de EDXRF e ICP-OES. O candidato apresentou teor de água residual de 7%, sendo o método de secagem em estufa mais indicado para essa determinação. Os resultados do ensaio de massa mínima indicaram que, dentre as porções analíticas estudadas, 500 mg foi a massa mínima recomendada para uso do candidato a MR, contudo, para alguns elementos químicos, massas menores poderiam ser utilizadas (entre 150 e 500 mg). O método de preparação e envase do candidato a MR foi considerado adequado uma vez que foi demonstrada a homogeneidade da distribuição de Cu, Fe, Mn e Zn em nível de 95% de confiança. Com a caracterização química, o material, além de ser fonte de proteínas, teve altas concentrações dos nutrientes Ca, Cl, K, Mg, Na, P e S, mostrando grande relevância nutricional.

Researchers examining how nutrition impacts fitness traits usually examine one nutrient at a time, ignoring potential interactions. When researchers simultaneously examine multiple nutrients, their studies often focus on adults, ignoring potential changes in nutritional needs that occur during the transition between juvenile and adult stages. To address these issues, we quantified how dietary nutrient balance (relative amounts of protein and carbohydrate) during development and into adulthood influenced life history and sexually selected traits using male Jamaican field crickets, Gryllus assimilis. Our findings revealed that male crickets developed significantly faster and grew larger when they were reared on a protein-rich diet, but their average daily time spent signalling for mates was significantly higher when they were reared on a carbohydrate-rich diet. Furthermore, while the probability of signalling and daily time spent signalling increased with age, time spent signalling for mates tended to increase at a higher rate with age when males consumed a carbohydrate-rich diet in adulthood. Together our findings suggest that traits may differ in their nutrient requirements, resulting in diet influencing a possible trade-off between traits across different life stages. The ability to locate and consume foods rich in protein during development should impact adult male fitness, as protein availability results in larger males, and larger males typically produce more attractive signals and are preferred by females. Conversely, the ability to locate and consume foods rich in carbohydrate should also impact a male's fitness, as males signal with higher effort when fed carbohydrate-rich diets, and higher signalling effort can directly impact a male's ability to attract a female.

Male mate choice is an often neglected aspect of sexual selection studies. While theory predicts that females should exhibit mate choice due to their comparatively greater investment in gametes, males may also exhibit mate choice for a variety of reasons, including seeking mates with greater fecundity. Furthermore, males may exhibit discriminant or indiscriminate mate choice as a function of their own intrinsic characteristics, such as body size or condition. Here we experimentally evaluated male Jamaican field cricket, Gryllus assimilis, mating preferences using randomly selected females and determined how both male and female morphology (body size and residual mass) and male signalling behaviour influence male mate preference. Results show that male crickets exhibit mating preferences, with larger males tending to exhibit more consistent mate preferences than smaller males. Contrary to predictions, males did not prefer larger or relatively heavier females, suggesting that males may not be basing their choosiness on these proxy measures of female fecundity. Our findings highlight the need for continued research on male mate choice and identifying the intrinsic characteristics of both sexes that drive them.

Made available in DSpace on 2018-12-11T16:53:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2018-04-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Satellite DNA (satDNA) is an abundant class of non-coding repetitive DNA that is preferentially found as tandemly repeated arrays in gene-poor heterochromatin but is also present in gene-rich euchromatin. Here, we used DNA- and RNA-seq from Gryllus assimilis to address the content and transcriptional patterns of satDNAs. We also mapped RNA-seq libraries for other Gryllus species against the satDNAs found in G. assimilis and G. bimaculatus genomes to investigate their evolutionary conservation and transcriptional profiles in Gryllus. Through DNA-seq read clustering analysis using RepeatExplorer, dotplots analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization mapping, we found that â 1/44% of the G. assimilis genome is represented by 11 well-defined A + T-rich satDNA families. These are mainly located in heterochromatic areas, with some repeats able to form high-order repeat structures. By in silico transcriptional analysis we identified satDNAs that are conserved in Gryllus but differentially transcribed. The data regarding satDNA presence in G. assimilis genome were discussed in an evolutionary context, with transcriptional data enabling comparisons between sexes and across tissues when possible. We discuss hypotheses for the conservation and transcription of satDNAs in Gryllus, which might result from their role in sexual differentiation at the chromatin level, heterochromatin formation and centromeric function. Departamento de Biologia Instituto de Biociências/IB UNESP-Univ Estadual Paulista Program in Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences Department of Environmental Health Harvard University T. H. Chan School of Public Health Departamento de Biologia Instituto de Biociências/IB UNESP-Univ Estadual Paulista FAPESP: 2014/11763-8 FAPESP: 2015/16661-1

Male mating preferences are often a neglected aspect of studies on sexual selection. Male mating preferences may evolve if they provide males with direct-fitness benefits such as increased opportunity to fertilize more eggs or indirect-fitness benefits such as enhanced offspring survival. We tested these ideas using Jamaican field crickets, Gryllus assimilis, previously shown to exhibit male mating preferences. We randomly mated males to either their preferred or non-preferred potential mates and then asked whether mating treatment influenced egg oviposition or offspring viability. Preferred females were not significantly more fecund and did not produce more viable eggs or offspring than non-preferred females. Male mate preferences were therefore inconsistent with both the direct- and indirect-fitness benefits hypotheses under the conditions of our experiment. Our null results leave us with an open question about what is driving the evolution of mating preferences in male crickets. Future research should explore the whether the offspring of preferred females are more attractive, have stronger immune systems, and/or experience higher adult longevity.

Relatively little is known about the microbiological quality of edible insects. In Germany, living insects are also bought from pet shops, rededicating thus a feedstuff to a foodstuff. A preliminary survey was conducted to assess the microbiological quality of these animals. Samples of raw insects (Acheta domesticus, Gryllus assimilis, Gryllus bimaculatus, Locusta migratoria, Blabtica dubia, Galleria mellonella, Chilecomadia moorei, Pachnoda marginata, Tenebrio molitor, Zophobas atratus, and Apis mellifera) from pet shops were analysed using classical food hygiene parameters (total aerobial mesophilic bacterial count (TBC), Enterobacteriaceae count (EC), staphylococci (SC), bacilli (BC), yeasts and moulds counts (YMC), salmonellae, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes). They were also inoculated on blood agar for specific microbial identification. Merged samples were taken from living animals (n=39), dead ones (n=7), and the bedding material (n=16) of the boxes they were sold in. Geometric means per species variedbetween 5.7 and 7.5 (TBC), 5.5 and 7.3 (EC), ≤6.1 (SC), ≤5.6 (YMC), and 3.5 and 7.2 lg cfu/g (BC), each displaying a individual microbial pattern. Dead animal values ranged above those of living ones, while bedding materials’ values could be higher or lower. From blood agar plates, coagulase-negative staphylococci, Enterobacteriaceae (typically Proteus spp. and Serratia liquefaciens), pseudomonads and fungi (e.g. Candida albicans, Issatchenkia orientalis, Geotrichum spp.) were isolated. All samples were free of salmonellae, E. coli, L. monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus, complying thus with the food hygiene criteria recently issued by Belgium and the Netherlands. Process hygiene criteria however were not met entirely due to elevated TBC and EC. These high bacterial counts and the presence of many (opportunistic) pathogenic and spoiling agents found also typically in other foodstuffs create the need to heat insects thoroughly before consumption.

Main thiols and disulfides were determined in the hemolymph of the Jamaican field cricket Gryllus assimilis of various developmental stages. On the basis of these data, redox potentials of the glutathione, cysteine and homocysteine redox systems were calculated. The concentrations of all thiols studied decreased during development (at a stage of 6 molts) with respect to young crickets, and increased again in adult insects. Redox potentials of the glutathione and cysteine systems increased from values of -131.0 ± 5.6 mV and -86.9 ±17.1 mV, respectively in young crickets to -58.0 ± 3.6 mV and -36.1 ± 4.2 mV, respectively, at the stage of 6 molts and decreased to values of -110.4 ± 24.8 mV and -66.3 ± 12.2 mV, respectively, in adult insects. Redox potentials of the glutathione and cysteine systems in the hemolymph of young and adult insects were similar to those reported for human plasma, suggesting similar redox conditions of extracellular fluids in insects and in mammals.

The study presents new results with regard to the morphometric and ultrastructural development of the accessory glands in females of the three cricket species Gryllus bimaculatus, Gryllus assimilis, and Acheta domesticus. Furthermore, possible age-dependence of secretory productivity of single organs was analyzed by application of the ligature technique introduced in a previous contribution. Within the first 12 days of the adult phase, the accessory glands of all investigated cricket species exhibit a significant increase in length and width which assumes values between 50 and 100%. This gland growth is rather the result of a continuous increase in cellular volume and less that of mitotic cell propagation. In all species height and width of single gland cells increase by 60-80% within the studied time interval. These changes in morphometry are commonly accompanied by ultrastructural modifications. Total glandular secretion is subject to an increase from the 5th to the 12th day of adult age. This development corresponds well with the number of eggs contemporaneously oviposited into the substrate and thus underlines the hypothesis, according to which the main function of the secretion consists in acting as a lubricant for the facilitated transport of the oocytes through the ovipositor.

The Bahama endemic field cricket, Gryllus bryanti Morse, 1905, previously known from only the lost female holotype, is redescribed, including designation of a neotype. Known only from Andros and Eleuthera Islands in The Bahamas, where it occurs with G. assimilis, it can be separated from the latter by song, tegmen file characteristics, head wider than pronotum, and genetics.

Theory stipulates that females should prefer to mate with higher-quality mates to maximize their fitness. As such, traits that females prefer should be honest indicators of male quality. Dominant males are often higher quality, and mating with dominant males may confer indirect fitness benefits to females. Male Jamaican field crickets, Gryllus assimilis, fight more aggressively in front of a female audience than when there is no audience present. Males may increase their aggression because females prefer to mate with males who they have seen win a fight. To test this hypothesis we first allowed females to observe (treatment) or not observe (control) fights and then mated females to either fight winners or losers. We then assessed the following fitness measures: number of eggs oviposited, egg viability, offspring viability and offspring size at adulthood. Neither male fight victory status nor female observer/nonobserver status influenced any of the aforementioned female fitness measures; however, the aggressiveness level of the fight did. Females that mated with males that had participated in more aggressive fights produced offspring that were larger at adulthood. Given that females find larger males more attractive, and larger females oviposit more eggs, these larger offspring may experience greater reproductive success and as a result provide females with indirect fitness benefits.