• 한국자원식물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국자원식물학회 2022년도 추계학술대회
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• pp.115-115
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• 2022

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has been estimating the potential of insects as human food and animal feed for convincing food security since 2010. On account of this reason, Tenebrio molitor larvae have been gaining considerable attention as an alternative protein source for various foods. However, consumers do not prefer them because of their disgusting appearance. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a method that improve their appearance as to lead to T. molitor larvae consumption. In this study, T. molitor larvae which is prepared for optimally sampling conditions (shade drying, 30 min boiling after hot air drying, 30 min steaming after hot air drying), were cultured with Cordyceps militaris mycelia, and measured growth and density of mycelial. Also analyzed the cordycepin and adenosine content compared with commercial C. militaris. As a result, T. molitor larvae cultivated with C. militaris mycelia showed the highest cordycepin content (13.75 mg/g) was observed in optimal sampling conditions (shade drying). Therefore, we report that the methods which T. molitor larvae cultivated with C. militaris mycelia not only improve their appearance but also increase cordycepin content, which can be contributed to lead T. molitor larvae consumption.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제24권7호
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• pp.888-897
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• 2014

A bacterial community analysis of the gut of Tenebrio molitor larvae was performed using pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. A predominance of genus Spiroplasma species in phylum Tenericutes was observed in the gut samples, but there was variation found in the community composition between T. molitor individuals. The gut bacteria community structure was not significantly affected by the presence of antibiotics or by the exposure of T. molitor larvae to a highly diverse soil bacteria community. A negative relationship was identified between bacterial diversity and ampicillin concentration; however, no negative relationship was identified with the addition of kanamycin. Ampicillin treatment resulted in a reduction in the bacterial community size, estimated using the 16S rRNA gene copy number. A detailed phylogenetic analysis indicated that the Spiroplasma-associated sequences originating from the T. molitor larvae were distinct from previously identified Spiroplasma type species, implying the presence of novel Spiroplasma species. Some Spiroplasma species are known to be insect pathogens; however, the T. molitor larvae did not experience any harmful effects arising from the presence of Spiroplasma species, indicating that Spiroplasma in the gut of T. molitor larvae do not act as a pathogen to the host. A comparison with the bacterial communities found in other insects (Apis and Solenopsis) showed that the Spiroplasma species found in this study were specific to T. molitor.

• 한국환경과학회지
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• 제31권11호
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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 Animal Science and Technology
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• 제63권2호
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• pp.417-425
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• 2021

The use of edible insects to replace meat protein is important to ensure future global food security. However, processed foods using edible insects require development to enhance consumer perception. Here, we examined the physicochemical characteristics and rheological properties of emulsions prepared from different edible insect larvae. Three edible insect species (Tenebrio molitor, Allomyrina dichotoma and Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis) were used to prepare larval emulsions that were formulated with 65% of insect larvae, 20% of pork back fat, and 15% ice. The A. dichotoma emulsion had the highest pH and lightness, redness, and yellowness values, while the T. molitor emulsion had the lowest pH and lightness, redness, and yellowness values. The T. molitor emulsion had the highest hardness, gumminess, chewiness, and apparent viscosity values but the lowest springiness and cohesiveness values. According to the sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis, T. molitor had the thickest bands, followed by P. brevitarsis seulensis. The differential scanning calorimetry distributions for the T. molitor and A. dichotoma emulsions showed one peak, while that of the P. brevitarsis seulensis emulsion had two peaks. The collective results suggest that T. molitor was the most suitable candidate (of the three tested species) for use as a meat replacement in terms of its physicochemical and rheological properties. It is important that such properties of insect-based emulsions are maintained using various technologies.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제33권5호
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• pp.383-390
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• 2023

본 연구는 기능성 식품의 개발을 위해 갈색거저리 유충 유래 추출물에서 새로운 생리활성 펩타이드를 확인하는 것이다. 동결건조된 T. molitor 유충에서 다양한 용매로 시간에 따라 추출하였다. T. molitor 유충 추출 결과 물 추출물에서 5시간과 10시간에서 총 단백질과 고형분 함량당 각각 가장 높은 2,2,1-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) 활성을 보였다. 물 추출물을 메탄올 농도에 따라 분획하였을 때, 높은 메탄올 농도는 상등액 중에 고분자량 단백질의 수준을 감소시키는 반면, 상등액의 DPPH 활성 수준을 증가시켜 저분자량 펩타이드가 항산화 활성을 매개하는 것으로 나타났다. 유기용매 분배에서 부탄올을 제외한 유기 용매 분배에서 물층에서 유사한 활성을 보였다. 유기용매분획물을 열처리 후 활성이 28~44% 감소하여 열에 대한 불안정한 성분이 존재하는 것으로 추정되었다. 물 추출물에 프로테아제 K를 첨가하면 DPPH 활성이 10~20% 증가하여 전체 단백질에서 방출되는 펩타이드가 항산화 활성을 부분적으로 증가시켰음을 알 수 있다. 그러므로, T. molitor 유충 추출물은 항산화제로써 기능을 수행할 수 있는 물질이 존재하는 것으로 제의할 수 있다.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.121-130
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• 2014

The larval form of Tenebrio molitor (T. molitor) has been eaten in many countries and provides benefits as a new food source of protein for humans. However, no information exists regarding its safety for humans. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the genotoxicity and repeated dose oral toxicity of the freeze-dried powder of T. molitor larvae. The genotoxic potential was evaluated by a standard battery testing: bacterial reverse mutation test, in vitro chromosome aberration test, and in vivo micronucleus test. To assess the repeated dose toxicity, the powder was administered once daily by oral gavage to Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at dose levels of 0, 300, 1000 and 3000 mg/kg/day for 28 days. The parameters which were applied to the study were mortality, clinical signs, body and organ weights, food consumption, ophthalmology, urinalysis, hematology, serum chemistry, gross findings and histopathologic examination. The freezedried powder of T. molitor larvae was not mutagenic or clastogenic based on results of in vitro and in vivo genotoxicity assays. Furthermore, no treatment-related changes or findings were observed in any parameters in rats after 28 days oral administration. In conclusion, the freeze-dried powder of T. molitor larvae was considered to be non-genotoxic and the NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) was determined to be 3000 mg/kg/day in both sexes of SD rats under our experimental conditions.

• 한국식품조리과학회지
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• 제31권5호
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• pp.534-543
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• 2015

Recently, the Tenebrio molitor larva was recognized as a novel food ingredient by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in Korea. Accordingly, we investigated its physical and sensory characteristics to establish the cooking conditions that may increase the demand of T. molitor larvae as a food. In this study, T. molitor larvae were cooked by various methods such as hot air dry, oven-broil, roast, pan fry, deep fry, boil, steam, and by microwave. In the physical evaluation of texture, the hardness and fracturability values were highest when larvae were cooked in the microwave. The adhesiveness, springiness, and chewiness values were highest when larvae were boiled. Boiled and steamed larvae had the highest lightness (L value), while oven-broiled larvae had the highest redness (a value) and yellowness (b value) values. Sensory evaluations assessed the appearance, aroma, flavor, and texture of cooked T. molitor larvae. Steamed and boiled larvae sizes were significantly large and the form was well preserved similar to fresh larvae. The moisture heat cooked (steamed and boiled) T. molitor larvae had the aroma and flavor of steamed corn, canned pupa, and boiled mushroom. In case of oven-broiled T. molitor larvae, the aroma and flavor of mealworm oil, seafood, sweet and roasted sesame were higher than in those cooked by other methods. In texture among sensory evaluation, the hardness and crispiness were the highest in the hot air dried and oven-broiled larvae, whereas juiciness was significantly higher in the boiled and steamed. Accordingly, we suggest that oven-broiled T. molitor larva will be prefered by consumer, due to its the rich aroma and flavor.

• 한국잠사곤충학회지
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• 제51권2호
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• pp.185-190
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• 2013

2011년부터 수입되어 사육 유통되는 슈퍼밀웜의 국내 샘플들은 형태 분류학적 검토를 통하여 Zophobas atratus란 종으로 밝혀졌고, Z. morio란 학명은 이 종의 동물이 명임이 확인되었다. 이 외래종은 자원 관리측면에서 국명을 '아메리카왕거저리'로 신칭하였다. 이 종과 형태적으로 유사한 자생종 P. valgipes 및 사육종 T. molitor와 DNA 바코드 분석 결과, Zophobas atratus와 P. valgipes는 평균 21.4%, Zophobas atratus와 Z. morio는 20.9%의 염기분화율을 보여 DNA 바코드로 쉽게 종 동정할 수 있음을 확인하였다. Z. atratus의 국내집단은 모두 동일 일배체형을 갖고 있어 국외의 동일 지역 개체군이 국내로 유입된 것으로 추정된 반면에 Z. molitor는 동일 사육집단 내에서도 두 개의 종내 집단이 뚜렷이 구분되고 서로의 염기 분화율이 1.17 ~ 2.19%로 갭을 형성한 것으로 보아 국내 Z. molitor 사육개체들은 서로 다른 지역 집단이 혼입되어 대량 사육에 이용되어진 것으로 추정된다. 이번 연구를 통하여 분석된 상업적으로 도입, 이용되는 2종의 거저리류의 분류학적 기초 정보가 국내 곤충자원 관리를 위하여 유용하게 이용될 것으로 판단된다.

• 한국환경과학회지
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• 제31권11호
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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.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.387-394
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• 2019

Objective: This study was to investigate the nutrient ileal digestibility of dried mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae and compare with those of three animal protein by-products in growing pigs. Methods: A total of 12 crossbred ($[Landrace{\times}Yorkshire]{\times}Duroc$) growing pigs with average body weights of $24.12{\pm}0.68kg$ were surgically equipped with simple T-cannulas after being deprived of feed for 24 h according to published surgical procedures. These pigs had a recovery period of two weeks. 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. Dietary treatments included the following: i) Fish meal, corn-vegetable by-product basal diet+9.95% fish meal; ii) Meat meal, corn-vegetable by-product basal diet+9.95% meat meal; iii) Poultry meal, cornvegetable by-product basal diet+9.95% poultry meal; iv) Tenebrio molitor, corn-vegetable by-product basal diet+9.95% dried Tenebrio molitor larvae. Results: Results showed that the apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of Lys was higher (p<0.05) in pigs fed Tenebrio molitor diet than that in pigs fed fish meal diet. Pigs fed Tenebrio molitor diet showed increased (p<0.05) AID of His and Arg compared to pigs fed Fish meal or Meat meal diet. The AID of Cys was increased (p<0.05) in pigs fed poultry meal and Tenebrio molitor diets compared to that in pigs fish meal diet. Pigs fed meat meal, poultry meal, and Tenebrio molitor diets showed higher (p<0.05) standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of total energy compared to pigs fed fish meal diet. The SID of Arg was higher (p<0.05) in pigs fed Tenebrio molitor diet than that in pigs fed fish meal or meat meal diet. Furthermore, pigs fed poultry meal or Tenebrio molitor diets showed increased (p<0.05) SID of Cys compared to pigs fed fish meal diet. Conclusion: In conclusion, providing pigs with diets that contained Tenebrio molitor larvae meal improved AID and SID of nutrients as well as essential and non-essential amino acids. The digestibility of dried mealworm larvae protein and its utilization in vivo are also good. Therefore, dried mealworm larvae protein can be used as protein source at 10% level in growing pigs.