• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
• /
• v.48 no.2
• /
• pp.86-97
• /
• 2024

Alkaline- or salt-assisted extractions have been widely used to extract edible insect proteins, however, there is a need for extraction techniques that balance cost-efficient production as well as preserving the protein properties. Mealworm proteins (Tenebrio molitor larvae) were extracted using three different extraction methods-alkali (AMP), salt (SMP), and water (WMP)-and then physicochemical and techno-functional properties were examined. AMP had high yield, protein, and amino acid contents, whereas WMP had high moisture, ash, and fat contents. SDS-PAGE showed a wide range of molecular weights in WMP whereas mostly low molecular weights were observed in AMP and SMP. AMP had poor protein solubilities compared to SMP and WMP across all pHs. AMP had enhanced water-holding capacity and emulsion stability, whereas WMP had improved oil-holding capacity and foaming properties. WMP formed a gel with and without the transglutaminase. The physicochemical and techno-functional properties demonstrated that water-soluble mealworm protein was superior to alkali-and salt-soluble mealworm proteins. Considering the cost efficiency and minimal impact on the environment as well, a cold press juicer could be utilized for mass production of mealworm protein compared to the conventional methods of protein extraction using alkali and salt.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.32 no.6
• /
• pp.521-530
• /
• 2017

The purpose of this study was to examine the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of cookies with mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) and black soybean powder. The leavening rates, and loss ratios were significantly increased with adding up the amount of mealworm powder (p < 0.05). The total polyphenol, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging ability, FRAP activity (ferric reducing antioxidant power) and ABTS radical scavenging ability (2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) were all significantly increased as mealworm powder contents increased. In addition, cookies containing both mealworm and black soybean powder were higher in total polyphenol, DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging abilities than cookies containing only mealworm powder (p < 0.05).

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.20 no.8
• /
• pp.523-530
• /
• 2019

This study was performed to develop Sulgidduk prepared with different levels (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12%) of defatted mealworm powder and to evaluate the characteristics of this Sulgidduk. We performed an assessment of color values, mechanical properties, general compositions and branched amino acids of Sulgidduk prepared with different levels of defatted mealworm powder. For the color values, the lightness(L) was decreased with increased amount of defatted mealworm powder, while the redness(a) and yellowness(b) were relatively increased. For the mechanical properties, the hardness and gumminess were significantly increased according to the increased amounts of defatted mealworm powder, but the chewiness, springiness and cohesiveness showed significant differences. For the sensory evaluation, the overall quality of Sulgidduk prepared with 6% defatted mealworm powder (MS-6) was higher as compared with that of the other Sulgidduk samples. For the general composition, the moisture and crude ash contents of MS-6 did not shown differences, while the crude protein was higher than those of the control, and the carbohydrate content of the control was higher than that of the MS-6. The contents of branched amino acids (valine, leucine and isoleucine) of MS-6 were higher than those of the control. Therefore, it was concluded that MS-6 could be a protein rich food as a good source of branched amino acids such valine, leucine and isoleucine.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.39 no.2
• /
• pp.296-308
• /
• 2019

Although the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) is a promising alternative protein source, the effects of processing conditions on functional properties are unclear. In this study, a protein extract of yellow mealworm larvae (PEYM) was subjected to different heat temperature ($55^{\circ}C$, $75^{\circ}C$, and $95^{\circ}C$) with different time (20, 40, and 60 min) to evaluate the functional properties and protein oxidation. Different heat temperature treatment significantly affected the exposure of surface hydrophobicity of the proteins and protein molecule aggregation, which reached maximum levels at $95^{\circ}C$ for 60 min. Protein oxidation was inversely proportional to the temperature. Both the highest carbonyl value (1.49 nmol/mg protein) and lowest thiol value (22.94 nmol/mg protein) were observed at $95^{\circ}C$ for 60 min. The heating time-temperature interaction affected several functional properties, including solubility, emulsifying potential, and gel strength (GS). Solubility decreased near the isoelectric point (pH 5 to 6). As the temperature and heating time increased, emulsifying properties decreased and GS increased. The oil absorption capacity and foaming properties decreased and the water absorption capacity increased. These results confirmed that PEYM is a suitable source of proteins for processing and applications in the food industry.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Sciences Society Conference
• /
• 2019.10a
• /
• pp.202-202
• /
• 2019

Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) was evaluated to investigate the effect of partial or total replacement of fish meal in diets for white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Experimental groups of shrimp with average initial body weight (2.43 ± 0.54 g) were fed each with 4 isonitrogeneous (38% crude protein) diets formulated to include 0, 25, 50 and 100% (diets 1 to 4, respectively) of fish meal substituted with mealworm. After eight weeks of feeding trials, shrimp fed with diet 3 and 4 revealed the highest values for live weight gain(8.01 ± 2.51 and 7.93 ± 1.12), specific growth rates (2.70 ± 1.12 and 2.59 ± 0.51) as well as better feed conversion ratio (2.69 ± 0.09 and 2.72 ± 0.19) compared to the control group with statistically significant manner (p<0.05). Survival range was 98% in all the treatments. An increase in weight gain and other growth associated parameters was observed with higher replacement. These results clearly indicate that 50% and 100% of fish meal protein in shrimp diet can be replaced by mealworm not only without any adverse effect but also the effect of promoting growth performance.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.100-115
• /
• 2015

The main purpose of this study is to establish fundamental data for the development of processed food using mealworm after examination of preferences and purchased intention according to two types of cooking methods (saute and oven) and three shapes (original, chapping, and powder) of cooked mealworm. In particular, this study aims to facilitate the establishment of target market strategies about edible insects bringing food neophobia. The results show that males' and older persons' preferences and purchases intention were higher than those of female and younger people. The group having high health involvement and low food neophobia had higher preferences and purchase intentions than the group having low health involvement and high food neophobia. In addition, customers had highest preferences and purchase intention with powdered mealworm regardless of cooking methods and customers' characteristics. These research findings provide food developer with meaningful data for market targeting.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.490-500
• /
• 2020

Objective: To investigate effect of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae hydrolysate on nutrient ileal digestibility compared to those of dried mealworm larvae meal, fermented poultry by-product, and hydrolyzed fish soluble in growing pigs. Methods: A total of 12 crossbred ([Landrace×Yorkshire]×Duroc) growing pigs with average body weight of 28.70±0.32 kg were surgically equipped with simple T-cannulas. A total of 12 pigs were assigned to individual metabolic crates and allotted to one of four treatments with 3 replicates in a fully randomized design. Results: Apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of dry matter (DM) was the highest in pigs fed HML diet. AIDs of crude protein (CP) were higher in pigs fed HML and DMLM diets than those in pigs fed the other two diets. AID of total amino acid was higher (p = 0.06) in pigs fed HML diet. AIDs of lysine (Lys), methionine (Met), and threonine (Thr) were similar in pigs fed DMLM and HML diets, but were higher (p = 0.05, p<0.05, and p = 0.05, respectively) than those in pigs fed FPBM or HFS diet. Pigs fed HML diet had higher standardized ileal digestibilities (SIDs) of DM and CP (p<0.05 and p<0.05, respectively) compared to pigs fed the other FPBM and HFS diets. SIDs of total amino acid were not different (p = 0.06) between treatments. For SIDs of Lys, Met, and Thr, pigs fed HML and DMLM diets showed higher SIDs (p = 0.05, p<0.05, and p<0.05, respectively) than pigs fed FPBM and HFS diets. SIDs of non-essential amino acids (aspartic acid, glycine, and alanine) were higher (p<0.05, p<0.05, and p<0.05, respectively) in pigs fed HML, FPBM, and DMLM diets than those in pigs fed the HFS diet. AID and SID of glutamic acid were higher in pigs fed HML and FPBM diets. Conclusion: In conclusion, dietary supplementation of mealworm larvae hydrolysate had higher digestibility in DM, CP, Lys, Met, and Thr compared to dietary supplementation with fermented poultry by-product and hydrolyzed fish soluble.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.42 no.2
• /
• pp.249-254
• /
• 2013

As part of a study on insects as food, the nutritional and harmful components in the mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) were analyzed. In addition, due to a recent introduction of live Chinese mealworms in the Korean market, components between Korean and Chinese mealworms were compared. Analysis of general composition (moisture, crude protein, crude fat, crude ash, crude fiber, and carbohydrates) showed that crude protein (50.32~52.79%) was abundant in both Korean and Chinese mealworm powders, with the protein content in the Chinese mealworm powder higher than that in the Korean mealworm powder by 2.67%. The amino acid compositions were similar, but the fatty acid compositions differed in the Korean and Chinese mealworm powders. The unsaturated fatty acid contents were 76.80~80.55% of the total fatty acid content in the mealworms. The linoleic acid contents in the Korean and Chinese mealworms were $20.8{\pm}1.1%$ and $34.69{\pm}1.9%$; the linolenic acid contents were 0.47% and 1.31%; and the oleic acid contents were $51.40{\pm}0.9%$ and $40.20{\pm}1.5%$, respectively. With respect to harmful components, such as heavy metals and bacteria that cause food poisoning, bacteria such as Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp. were not detected in both Korean and Chinese mealworms, and the mercury content was below the standard values for common foods (Korea, 0.03 mg/kg; China, 0.08 mg/kg).

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.97-102
• /
• 2024

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.

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.20-26
• /
• 2019

The purpose of this study is to show probability of alternate food by using edible insects through the reports (Edible insects: Future prospects for food and feed security) edited by WFO (World Food Organization). We were carried out to develop the functional meat new product using Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor lavare) and Chicken breast. People's interest to the healthy, low-calories food is growing up, the Foodservice industry is developing and making Functional food, which helps to a sale strategy. Insects have played an important role as human food throughout history, especially in Africa, Asia and Latin America. A rapid increase in the human population is expected in the second half of the 21 century, which will lead to lower availability of food, especially animal protein As the problem of food supply and demand has come to the fore with climate change, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has noticed edible insects as future food resources in order to prepare against the shortage of protein source. Recently consumers, especially patients have doubts about safety of raw materials for food. To overcome these limitations, I propose an enteral nutrition formula using edible insects as a raw material.