Investigation of the protein profile of silkworm (Bombyx mori) pupae reared on a well-calibrated artificial diet compared to mulberry leaf diet

Abstract

Background Silkworm pupae is the main by-product of the sericulture industry with an interesting nutritional profile, especially in terms of proteins. In consideration of its possible use as a food or food ingredient in Western countries, a comparative proteomic experiment has been performed to investigate the differences of the protein profile of male and female silkworm pupae reared on mulberry leaves or on an artificial diet. Methods The nutritional profile of lyophilized silkworm pupae in terms of dry matter and ash was evaluated according to the AOAC procedures, the total nitrogen content was determined by a nitrogen analyzer and the silkworm pupae gross energy value was measured using an adiabatic calorimetric bomb. The comparative proteomic analysis was performed on male and female silkworm pupae reared on mulberry leaves or on the artificial diet. Proteins were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis and, after a multivariate statistical analysis, the differentially expressed proteins were identified by LC-MS/MS. Results The comparative proteomic approach highlighted 47 silkworm pupae proteins differentially expressed comparing diet and gender. PCA analysis showed that seven proteins were more effective in discriminating the sex and five were more effective in discriminating the diet type. In spite of the above-mentioned differences in the silkworm pupae protein profile, no strong alteration of the pupa physiological traits have been demonstrated, suggesting a general silkworm pupae flexibility to adapt to a well-balanced artificial diet. Differences in lipid transport and metabolism were found among the experimental groups, that might have a relevant effect on the timing and on hormone secretion. This aspect may also affect silk production, as univoltine strains are the most productive. The proteomic data provided in this work, may offer a contribution in understanding also the influence of gender and farming strategy on the allergen profile of Bombyx mori, when used as food or as a food ingredient. Female silkworm pupae reared on mulberry leaves seemed to contain lower levels of known allergens than those reared in the other experimental conditions; these findings will have to be taken into account when farming B. mori for food production purposes. However, our results need to be supported by further characterization of the allergenic potential of B. mori.

Nutritional, functional, and allergenic properties of silkworm pupae

“…Silkworms belong to the phylum Arthropoda, which includes crustaceans. A comparative proteomic study showed that some pupae proteins are differentially expressed when comparing gender and diet of silkworm larvae (Lamberti et al., 2019 ). Of note, the levels of known allergens in female silkworm pupae reared on mulberry leaves were lower compared to those reared under other experimental conditions (Lamberti et al., 2019 ).…”

“…A comparative proteomic study showed that some pupae proteins are differentially expressed when comparing gender and diet of silkworm larvae (Lamberti et al., 2019 ). Of note, the levels of known allergens in female silkworm pupae reared on mulberry leaves were lower compared to those reared under other experimental conditions (Lamberti et al., 2019 ). Thus, the allergen profile of silkworm pupae could be associated with gender and diet and so could be regulated.…”

Identification of a caleosin associated with hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) oil bodies

“…The LC‐MS/MS analyses were performed with a micro‐LC system from Eksigent Technologies (Dublin, CA, USA) coupled with a 5600+ Triple TOF TM system (AB Sciex, Concord, Canada) equipped with a Duo Spray TM Ion Source and a CDS (Calibrant Delivery System). The run conditions were set as described in Lamberti et al (). The mass spectrometer worked in data‐dependent acquisition mode (DDA) (Cvijetic et al ).…”

A Pilot study of Histamine in Silkworm Pupae

“…[16][17][18] Silkworms (Bombyx mori) convert plant proteins into silk and use it as a source of food, with a rich nutritional profile, especially in terms of proteins, fat, and chitin contents. 12 Silkworm pupae has been used as a medicine and as an animal feed in many Asian countries for a long time. 19 Silkworm pupae has a high reproduction rate, short life period and short space requirements which provides a practicable alternative opportunity for food safety such as scombroid poisoning.…”

“…They are a low cost healthy food source of high nutritional value including protein, lipids and essential amino acid. 11,12 High levels of histamine in food is known to cause food poisoning but it does not alter the organoleptic quality, leading to histamine-contaminated foods being viewed as normal. Therefore, scombroid poisoning is frequently misdiagnosed.…”