Journal of Environmental Science International (한국환경과학회지)

The Korean Environmental Sciences Society (한국환경과학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Long-Term Storage and Growth Control of the Edible Mealworm Species, Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus

식용곤충 갈색거저리의 장기저장 및 생육 조절 연구

  • Chan-Ouk Kim (Industrial Insect and Sericulture Division, Department of Agricultural Biology, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences) ;
  • Sangmin Ji (Industrial Insect and Sericulture Division, Department of Agricultural Biology, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences) ;
  • Gyu-Dong Chang (Industrial Insect and Sericulture Division, Department of Agricultural Biology, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences) ;
  • So-Yun Kim (Industrial Insect and Sericulture Division, Department of Agricultural Biology, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences) ;
  • Jeong-Hun Song (Industrial Insect and Sericulture Division, Department of Agricultural Biology, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences)
  • 김찬욱 (국립농업과학원 농업생물부 곤충양잠산업과) ;
  • 지상민 (국립농업과학원 농업생물부 곤충양잠산업과) ;
  • 장규동 (국립농업과학원 농업생물부 곤충양잠산업과) ;
  • 김소윤 (국립농업과학원 농업생물부 곤충양잠산업과) ;
  • 송정훈 (국립농업과학원 농업생물부 곤충양잠산업과)
  • Received : 2024.01.09
  • Accepted : 2024.01.19
  • Published : 2024.01.31
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

We introduce a method for preserving yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus) larvae for an extended period and show that a high percentage of larvae can survive in good health under low-temperature storage conditions combined with specific diapause termination conditions. Our study revealed that we can regulate important development stages such as pupation, emergence, and larval duration by adjusting these termination conditions. When storing larvae aged 6-8 weeks for 140 days, the storage temperature can be varied based on our goals, giving us control over yellow mealworm production to meet specific demands. To produce adult beetles, storing larvae at 15 ℃ with wheat bran and ending diapause at 30 ℃ resulted in 90% pupation rate, with 60% becoming adults in 21 days. If our aim is larvae production, storing them at 10-12 ℃ with wheat bran and ending diapause at 25-30 ℃ allows the larvae to reach a suitable weight for processing. This straightforward approach ensures long-term storage of yellow mealworm larvae and provides a practical way to control their development, allowing efficient mass production tailored to market demands.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 연구를 위해 갈색거저리 사육과 실험을 도와주신 송미연 사육사(국립농업과학원 곤충양잠산업과)와 통계분석에 도움을 주신 권용석 연구사(국립농업과학원 식생활영양과)에게 깊이 감사드린다. 본 논문은 농촌진흥청 연구사업(과제번호: PJ01355902)의 지원에 의해 이루어진 것임.

References

  1. Choi, R. Y., Kim, B. S., Ban, E. J., Seo M., Lee, J. H., Kim, I. W., 2023, Mealworm Ethanol Extract Enhances Myogenic Differentiation and Alleviates Dexamethasone-Induced Muscle Atrophy in C2C12 Cells, life, 13, 58.
  2. Ghosh, S., Lee, S. M., Jung, C., Meyer-Rochow, V. B., 2017, Nutritional composition of five commercial edible insects in South Korea, J. Asia-Pac. Entomol., 20, 686-694. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aspen.2017.04.003
  3. Kim, S., Kim, J. C., Lee, S. J., Kim, J. S., 2016a, Establishment of optimal rearing conditions for the production of Tenebrio molitor larvae, Korean J. Appl. Entomol., 55, 421-429.
  4. Kim, S. H., Shon, J. Y., Park, J. S., Kim, J. W., Kang, J. H., Yun, E. Y., 2016b, Change in dietary intake and nutritional status using mealworms as hospital meal in postoperative patients, J. Korean Diet. Assoc., 22, 292-309. https://doi.org/10.14373/JKDA.2016.22.4.292
  5. Kim, S. Y., Park, J. B., Lee, Y. B., Yoon, H. J., Lee, K. Y., Kim, N. J., 2015, Growth characteristics of mealworm Tenebrio molitor, J. Seric. Entomol. Sci., 53, 1-5.
  6. Koo, H. Y., Kim, S. G., Oh, H. K., Kim, J. E., Choi, D. S., Kim, D. I., Kim, I., 2013, Temperature-dependent development model of larvae of mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), Korean J. Appl. Entomol., 52, 387-394. https://doi.org/10.5656/KSAE.2013.11.0.066
  7. Koutsos, L., McComb, A., Finke, M., 2019, Insect composition and uses in animal feeding applications: a brief review, Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am., 112, 544-551. https://doi.org/10.1093/aesa/saz033
  8. MAFRA (Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs), 2021, The 3rd Comprehensive plan for insect and sericulture industry promotion, https://www.mafra.go.kr/home/5248/subview.do?enc=Zm5jdDF8QEB8JTJGYmJzJTJGaG9tZSUyRjc5NSUyRjQ4NzE4MCUyRmFydGNsVmlldy5kbyUzRg%3D%3D.
  9. MAFRA (Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs), 2023, https://www.data.go.kr/data/15106204/fileData.do.
  10. McMichael, A. J., 2001, Impact of climatic and other environmental changes on food production and population health in the coming decades, Proc. Nutr. Soc., 60, 195-201. https://doi.org/10.1079/PNS200090
  11. Meyer-Rochow, V. B., 1975, Can insects help to ease the problem of world food shortage? Search, 6, 261-262.
  12. NLIC (National Law Information Center), 2019, Insect industry promotion and support act, https://www.law.go.kr/lsSc.do?section=&menuId=1&subMenuId=15&tabMenuId=81&eventGubun=060101&query=%EA%B3%A4%EC%B6%A9%EC%82%B0%EC%97%85#undefined (accessed on 1 Jan, 2024).
  13. Oonincx, D. G. A. B., van Itterbeeck, J., Heetkamp, M. J. W., van den Brand, H., van Loon, J. J. A., van Huis, A., Hansen, I. A., 2010, An Exploration on greenhouse gas and ammonia production by insect species suitable for animal or human consumption, PLoS ONE, 5, e14445.
  14. Oonincx, D. G. A. B., De Boer, I. J. M., 2012, Environmental impact of the production of mealworms as a protein source for humans-a life cycle assessment, PLoS ONE, 7, e51145.
  15. RDA (Rural Development Administration), 2017, Standards and Specifications for Breeding of Industrial Insects, Rural Development Administration, Wanju, Korea.
  16. RDA (Rural Development Administration), 2020, The report on the insect industry survey, Rural Development Administration, Wanju, Korea.
  17. Ribeiro, N., Abelho, M., Costa, R., 2018, A review of the scientific literature for optimal conditions for mass rearing Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), J. Entomol. Sci., 53, 434-454.
  18. Rumbos, C. I., Athanassiou, C. G., 2021, 'Insects as food and feed: if you can't beat them, eat them!'-to the magnificent seven and beyond, J. Insect Sci., 21, 1-5.
  19. UN (United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division), 2019, World Population Prospects 2019: Highlights (ST/ESA/SER.A/423). https://population.un.org/wpp/Publications/Files/WPP2019_Highlights.pdf (accessed on 1 Jan, 2024).
  20. Van Huis, A., 2013, Potential of insects as food and feed in assuring food security, Annu. Rev. Entomol., 58, 563-583. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ento-120811-153704
  21. Van Huis, A., Oonincx, D. G. A. B., 2017, The environmental sustainability of insects as food and feed. A review, Agron. Sustain. Dev., 37, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13593-016-0408-4
  22. Van Huis, A., Tomberlin, J. K., 2017, Insects as food and feed: from production to consumption. Wageningen Academic Publishers, Wageningen, the Netherlands.