• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.785-788
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• 2020

We investigated the oviposition characteristics of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis, focusing on zone breeding throughout the year in terms of the development and utilization of insect resources. To select Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis individuals laying a large number of eggs, the number of eggs laid for each individual was measured for each individual after emergence as adults from larvae grown at room temperature in five farmhouses. The five study zone included Gongju (Tancheon), Gyeonggi (Himsen), Chungnam (Gyeryong), Taean (Wonbuk), and Siheung (Baekse). The average oviposition tendency during a 12-week period obtained from the five regions was somewhat different; however, there was no remarkable difference in overall tendency. The maximum oviposition in Protaetia brevitarsisseulensis in the five regions occurred between 6 and 7 weeks. Compared toother regions, the average cumulative number of eggs laid during the 12-week period was higher (40%-60%) in Gongju (Tancheon) and Gyeonggi (Himsen). These results indicate that in two regions, zone breeding is selected as a system for increasing the demand for insects.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.108-114
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• 2022

Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larva is well-known as an edible insect. The present study aimed to explore the immune-enhancing effect of 30% ethanol extract of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larvae (PBE) in RAW264.7 macrophage cells. PBE were not cytotoxic to RAW264.7 cells and nitric oxide production increased on PBE treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, PBE significantly promoted the expression of immune-related mediators (Inos and COX-2) and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) and the phosphorylation of MAPKs (ERK, p38, and JNK). Taken together, the immune-enhancing effects of 30% ethanol extract of PBE in vitro were identified. These findings can be used as data for the development of edible insect-based functional foods that improve immune function.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.993-997
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• 2022

This study was conducted to evaluate the structure and composition (i.e., pH, moisture, total-N, pathogens, and volatile fatty acids) of broiler and duck manure treated with larvae of three insect larvae, namely, Tenebrio molitor, Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis, and Ptecticus tenebrifer. Hatched Tenebrio molitor (n=300), Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis (n=60), and Ptecticus tenebrifer (n=300) were used in this study; specially, the larvae were divided into six treatments with three replicates. The treatments were as follows: T1: 110 g broiler manure + Tenebrio molitor larvae (n=50), T2: 110 g duck manure + Tenebrio molitor larvae (n=50), T3: 125 g broiler manure + Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larvae (n=10), T4: 125 g duck manure + Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larvae (n=10), T5: 105 g broiler manure + Ptecticus tenebrifer larvae (n=50), and T6: 105 g duck manure + Ptecticus tenebrifer larvae (n=50). For all the larval treatments, the following results were observed: The moisture content of the duck manure treat with three insect larvae was higher than that of the broiler manure (p<0.05), whereas broiler manure had a higher pH (p<0.05). In addition, the total nitrogen content of broiler manure was higher than that of duck manure (p<0.05). However, the insect larvae did not significantly affect pathogens (E.coli and Salmonella) and the volatile fatty acids (p>0.05). In conclusion, the use of the three insect larvae to create organic nitrogen compost using poultry manure is feasible.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.40-44
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• 2015

To investigate whether Serratia marcescens (Enterobacteriales: Enterobacteriaceae) isolated from Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis (Coleoptera: Cetoniidae) acts as an opportunistic bacterium in peroral infection, the primary entomopathogenic bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis (Bacillales: Bacillaceae) and Paenibacillus popilliae (Eubacteriales: Bacillaceae) were added to sawdust to perform a bioassay experiment. We found that peroral infection caused by S. marcescens could be fatal beyond a concentration of $4{\times}10^8pfu/mL$ in $2^{nd}$ stage P. b. seulensis larvae and at $6{\times}10^8pfu/mL$ in $3^{rd}$ stage P. b. seulensis larvae. In particular, mortality resulting from a combination of P. popilliae and S. marcescens was markedly increased in $2^{nd}$ stage P. b. seulensis larvae. Therefore, we confirmed that mortality was increased when S. marcescens was infected together with other entomopathogenic bacteria, and that peroral infection itself can be fatal beyond certain concentrations.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.25-31
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• 2014

Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis (Kolbe) is widely used in Korea, as a protein-rich, alternate, functional food with pharmacological benefits. In addition to anti-oxidant properties, the larvae of P. b. seulensis also show positive effects against hepatic disorder and diabetes; therefore, P. b. seulensis larvae are being reared on a large scale in Korea. We evaluated reared larvae of P. b. seulensis from Gyeong-gi in Korea. Using 16SrRNA PCR, electro-microscopy, and bioassay techniques, we found that the larvae harbored Spo-1, a bacterium identified as the insect pathogen Serratia marcescens. Therefore, we highlight the use of this insect as an alternate food and the need for its sanitary rearing conditions, as contamination may affect public health.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.935-938
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• 2020

This study investigated the oviposition characteristics of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis after emergence as adults from the larva collected from three regions in Gangwon-do, Chungcheongnam-do, and Jeju-do. The laying egg method was identified with zone breeding, and the average and cumulative number of eggs laid were measured once a week for seven weeks. The average number of eggs laid peaked until 4 weeks, and subsequently decreased. The source areas with respect to average number and cumulative number of eggs laid were in the order of Jeju > Chungnam > Gangwon. In conclusion, this result suggests a method for continuously improving management and economic feasibility of insect farming by securing genetic diversity, and raising the most productive breeds to select individuals form regions associated with high numbers of laid eggs.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.55-59
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• 2023

One of the necessary conditions for the mass production of the edible insect, the white-spotted flower chafer Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis (Kolbe), is to breed a strain with excellent egg-laying ability. To identify external morphological traits related to egg-laying ability, we investigated the effects of the weight, length, and width of female adults on egg production. Correlation and multiple regression analyses revealed a positive correlation between the weight of female adults and egg production. This study suggests that selection of heavier females is a good strategy for breeding strains with superior egg-laying characteristics. The results of this study will serve as important foundational data for future breeding of superior strains.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.9
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• pp.639-646
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• 2024

This study was conducted to select a probiotic strain using Bacillus strains living in the intestines of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larvae. To select Bacillus strains, the ones derived from Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis larvae were heated at 80℃ for 10 min, Subsequently, they were appropriately diluted and screened primarily for carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase) activity, followed by secondary selection based on protease activity. Among the selected strains, the F23-72 strain exhibited excellent CMCase and protease activities. This strain was identified as Bacillus velezensis F23-72 through 16S rDNA analysis. F23-72 showed similar activity to B. velezensis KACC10334 and K10 for CMCase, avicelase, cellobiase, xylanase, and mannanase, indicating the excellent functionality of extracellular enzymes. While its auto-aggregation was higher than L. plantarum K9, it was lower than B. velezensis K10. However, its co-aggregation with pathogenic strains and mucin adhesion was lower than with L. plantarum K9. These characteristics suggest that Bacillus strains generally have low adhesion to the intestinal mucosa and a low ability to remove pathogenic bacteria. B. velezensis F23-72 exhibited slightly superior antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella Typhimurium compared to KACC10334 and K10, with the best results observed at 18 and 24 hr. In conclusion, B. velezensis F23-72 demonstrates excellent extracellular enzyme activity and antibacterial properties, but low mucosal adhesion and pathogenic bacteria removal ability, suggesting its potential use as a probiotic to aid in digestion.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.989-992
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• 2022

This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of larval stages of three species, namely, Tenebrio molitor, Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis, and Ptecticus tenebrifer larvae, in degrading poultry manure, specially, broiler and duck manure. The survival rates of larvae were also noted. For the experiment, T. molitor (n=300), P. brevitarsis seulensis (n=60), and P. tenebrifer (n=300) hatched larvae were randomly divided into six groups with three replicates. The degaradation efficacy tests were then performed for 30 days in a laboratory. The test groups were as follows: T1, 110 g broiler manure + T. molitor larvae (n=50); T2, 110 g duck manure + T. molitor larvae (n=50); T3, 125 g broiler manure + P. brevitarsis seulensis larvae (n=10); T4, 125 g duck manure + P. brevitarsis seulensis larvae (n=10); T5, 105 g broiler manure + P. tenebrifer larvae (n=50); and T6, 105 g duck manure + P. tenebrifer larvae (n=50). The groups showed significant efficacy in degrading broiler and duck manure (p<0.05). The highest survival rates were recorded for T. molitor larvae in both manure types [T1 (92.67%) and T2 (50%)], followed by P. brevitarsis seulensis larvae (T4, 40%) and P. tenebrifer larvae (T6, 14.67%) in duck manure. Next, the survival rates of P. brevitarsis seulensis (T3) and Ptecticus tenebrifer larvae (T5) in broiler manure were 0%. In conclusion, these results point to the feasibility of using insect larvae to degrade broiler and duck manure.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.827-834
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• 2018

In this study, the biological activities of aqueous, ethanol, and methanol extracts of larvae of the edible insect Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis, fermented using several kinds of microorganisms, were tested in in vitro experimental models. Six effective microorganisms were used for fermentation, namely Lactobacillus plantarum JBMI F3, Lactobacillus plantarum JBMI F5, Lactobacillus gasseri Ba9, Aspergillus kawachii KCCM 32819, Saccharomyces cerevisiae KACC 93023, and Bacillus subtilis KACC 91157. Biological activities (${\alpha},{\alpha}^{\prime}-diphenyl-{\beta}-picrylhydrazyl$ [DPPH] free radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and fibrinolytic activity), and biochemical properties (phenolic compounds and flavonoids) were examined in aqueous, ethanol, and methanol extracts from P. brevitarsis seulensis powder and fermented P. brevitarsis seulensis powder. The total phenolic compounds and flavonoid contents were highest in the aqueous extract of B. subtilis-fermented P. brevitarsis seulensis powder. DPPH radical scavenging activity and reducing power were stronger in the fermented group than the nonfermented group. Fibrinolytic activity were highest in the extract from B. subtilis-fermented P. brevitarsis seulensis powder. The ${\alpha}-amylase$ activity in starch was higher in the fermented group than the nonfermented group, but there was no significant difference. These results provide basic data to understand the biological activities of bioactive materials derived from fermented P. brevitarsis seulensis larvae for the development of functional foods.