Functional Chemical Components in Protaetia brevitarsis Larvae: Impact of Supplementary Feeds

Abstract

The goal of this study was to evaluate the influence of various supplementary feeds on the chemical composition and production of bioactive substances in Protaetia brevitarsis larvae. The primary feed-oak-fermented sawdust-was supplemented with a variety of substances, including aloe, apple, banana, sweet persimmon (S. persimmon) and sweet pumpkin (S. pumpkin). Crude protein and fat content were the highest in the control and S. pumpkin group, respectively. Supplementary feeds increased the content of unsaturated fatty acids, except in the group receiving S. pumpkin, in which oleic acid was the most abundant (58.2%-64.5%). Free essential amino acids in larvae receiving supplementary aloe were higher compared with the control group except for Lys and His. Polyphenol and flavonoid contents and the antioxidant activities of ABTS and DPPH were higher in all treated groups compared with the control group. Although supplementary feeds led to a decreased crude protein content in the treated larvae when compared with the control group, these treatments generally improved the levels of unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidative activity. Therefore, we suggest that among the supplementary foods tested, aloe is a better resource for P. brevitarsis based on crude protein content, free amino acids and other bioactive compounds such as unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants.

Nutritional Composition of White-Spotted Flower Chafer (Protaetia brevitarsis) Larvae Produced from Commercial Insect Farms in Korea

“…The obtained data for total amino acids in this study were considerably similar to the previous observation on P. brevitarsis larvae (mostly third instar), which was reported by Chung et al (2013) , Noh et al (2015) , and Yoon et al (2020) . In particular, Chung et al (2013) suggested that P. brevitarsis larvae could be a potentially useful source of essential amino acids (methionine, threonine, valine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, histidine, and lysine) to humans.…”

“…In addition, Noh et al (2015) reported that the supplementation of rice bran during fasting could slightly increase the total amino acid content of P. brevitarsis larvae. Recently, Yoon et al (2020) evaluated the supplementary effects of the five natural feeding sources, such as aloe, apple, banana, sweet persimmon, and sweet pumpkin, on the nutritional composition of P. brevitarsis larvae, and found that different feeding sources could change the proportion of essential amino acids, but did not affect the total amino acid content. Consequently, it is expected that the enrichment of some essential amino acids could be possible through dietary feeding control, but which might have little to no impact on the total amino acid content of P. brevitarsis larvae.…”

“…Choi et al (2019) have suggested that the nutritional composition of the P. brevitarsis larvae could be affected by feeding sources, similarly to conventional livestock. Moreover, it has been reported that differences in feeding sources have a greater impact on the nutritional composition of P. brevitarsis larvae compared to the conventional livestock, since it has more short and simple digestive system (Yoon et al, 2020).…”

“…Regarding the large variation in proximate composition, Choi et al (2019) have suggested that the nutritional composition of the P. brevitarsis larvae could be affected by feeding sources, similarly to conventional livestock. Moreover, it has been reported that differences in feeding sources have a greater impact on the nutritional composition of P. brevitarsis larvae compared to the conventional livestock, since it has more short and simple digestive system ( Yoon et al, 2020 ). Furthermore, as the whole larvae including a digestive tract are generally consumed and processed, it is known that fasting methods could be one of the most important factors affecting the nutritional value of edible insect larvae ( Noh et al., 2015 ).…”

Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis Derived Protein Isolate with Enhanced Osteomodulatory and Antioxidative Property

“…Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis (white-spotted flower chafer)-derived protein hydrolysates have been used as medicinal material in many Asian countries for their antioxidative, anticancer, antiobesity, antidiabetic, and hepatoprotective effects [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Controlled feeding patterns have also modulated the bioactive substance’s synthesis in P. brevitarsis larvae for its potential exploitation [ 11 ]. The development of health-promoting functional materials from P. brevitarsis extracts have also been investigated [ 12 ].…”