• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.399-403
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• 2018

In this study, safety investigations on harmful microorganisms and mycotoxins were conducted on honeybee drone pupae as a new food material, which is rich in nutrients and capable of being mass produced in apiaries. The honeybee drone pupae produced in apiaries were collected from three different regions in Korea and frozen immediately. Subsequently, the samples were subjected to freeze-drying. According to the Korean Food Code test method, coliforms, Salmonella species, Staphylococcus aureus, and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli were not detected in 280 honeybee drone pupas. In addition, mycotoxins, aflatoxin $B_1$, ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, and zearalenone were not detected. Therefore, it is proposed that the honeybee drone pupae collected from the beehives and immediately frozen as safe from harmful microorganisms and mycotoxins and can be used as a food material.