Isolation and analysis of natural compounds from silkworm pupae and effect of its extracts on alcohol detoxification

Abstract

Silkworm pupae have much potential and many applications as a natural medicine to promote human health. However, their chemical components have not been fully characterized or understood. HPLC analysis was conducted to determine the content ratio (%) of individual amino acids in total protein of the pupae. It showed that glutamic acid (18.3%), histidine (14.6%) and alanine (10.2%) are the most common amino acids in silkworm pupae. Fatty acid composition of silkworm pupae oil was revealed by high‐pressure liquid chromatography and gas chromatography – mass spectroscopy analyses. They contain a high ratio of essential fatty acids, [α‐linolenic acid (ω‐3 fatty acid]+ linoleic acid) (49.0%), and also contain non‐essential fatty acids, oleic acid (19.9%), palmitoleic acid (2.5%), palmitic acid (19.7%), stearic acid (8.6%), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (0.3%). In addition, they also contain antioxidants, quercetin diglucoside and nutritionally important riboflavin (vitamin B2). This study suggests that silkworm pupae are a nutritionally valuable food product and are applicable as cosmetic components with essential amino acids, essential fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamins. The animal experiment showed that alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity was significantly higher in the liver of mice orally administered with 0.5 mg/mL of silkworm extract and alcohol than with commercial Dawn808™ and alcohol, indicating that silkworm pupae extracts have alcohol detoxification activity.

Recent advances in role of insects as alternative protein source in poultry nutrition

“…The SWP contained n-3 FAs, especially α-linolenic acid (36.3%), as a major component (Tomotake et al 2010). Kwon et al (2012) also reported that FA composition of SWP oil revealed a high ratio of EFAs (α-linolenic acid + linoleic acid; 49.0%) and non-essential FAs (19.9% oleic acid, 2.5% palmitoleic acid, 19.7% palmitic acid, 8.6% stearic acid and 0.3% eicosapentaenoic acid).…”

Ginsenoside‐Free Molecules from Steam‐Dried Ginseng Berry Promote Ethanol Metabolism: An Alternative Choice for an Alcohol Hangover

“…We found that the GFM contained various components, including several fatty acids (PA, HA, and LA), which accounted for 98.76% of all molecules and are believed to be the active components promoting ethanol metabolism (Kwon and others ). Tachiyashiki and Imaizumi () reported that C18‐unsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid, LA, and linolenic acid) may delay the elimination rate of gastric ethanol and lessen the increase in plasma ethanol concentration.…”

“…The most abundant compounds in GFM were PA (30.00%), methyl linoleate (34.10%), and LA (34.66%), accounting for about 98.76% of the GFM. Table shows 4 biologically active molecules (PA, HA, methyl linoleate, and LA), which may have varying antioxidant or alcohol metabolic activities (Beeharry and others ; Kumar and others ; Kwon and others ). The consequences of ethanol metabolism may result in the formation of harmful components, such as highly reactive oxygen‐containing molecules (ROS) that can damage liver tissues (Koop ).…”

Characterization of protein hydrolysate from silkworm pupae (Bombyx mori)

“…Lassoued et al () also found that the DPPH radical scavenging activity of Neutrase hydrolysis with the lowest DH (11%) was higher than for Alcalase hydrolysis which had the highest DH (22%). Moreover, the high antioxidant activity of Neutrase hydrolysis may have been due to other antioxidants such as quercetin and riboflavin (B 2 ) which were found in silkworm extract by Kwon et al (). Therefore, the protein hydrolysate from Neutrase treatments had the best performance of antioxidant activity.…”

“…Protein from insect could provide a similar energy content to meat protein (Sirimungkararat, Saksirirat, Nopparat, & Natongkham, ). Moreover, insects contained some other nutrients such as fatty acid, vitamins, and minerals (Kwon et al, ).…”