Nutritional, functional, and allergenic properties of silkworm pupae

Abstract

Demand for sustainable sources of nutrition is increasing. Thus, edible insects, which have long formed part of the human diet in Asia, Africa, and Latin America (de Castro et al., 2018), have become a primary focus of scientific research in recent years. However, the allergic risks of consuming insects must be evaluated. Allergic reactions associated with eating edible insects range from a mild localized reaction to a more severe systemic clinical response. The main clinical symptoms include respiratory (e.g., dyspnea, asthma), gastrointestinal (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), and skin (e.g., flushing, urticaria, rash, pruritus,) reactions (de Gier & Verhoeckx, 2018).The silkworm (Bombyx mori) is a cultivated insect that is reared at large scales. Silkworm and its metabolites have high nutritional, medicinal, and economic value (Ratcliffe et al., 2011;Yang et al., 2009). The silkworm lifecycle encompasses four distinct developmental stages: ova, larva, pupa, and imago. Silk is obtained from the cocoon when silkworms transform from larvae to pupae.The pupae of the two silk-producing moths are edible. Silkworm pupae are frequently used as food in Asian countries, including Japan, Korea, India, and, especially, China (Zhou & Han, 2006). In China, silkworm pupae are eaten as food and are also an important component of traditional Chinese medicines used to treat hypertension and fatty liver (Zhang & Zhang, 2001). With increasing demand

Silkworm Pupae: A Functional Food with Health Benefits for Humans

“…Allergy to silkworm pupae is now widely studied. The allergenicity of silkworm pupae has been extensively reported, and the key allergen is the silkworm pupae protein or peptide, such as 27-kDa glycoprotein, Chitinase precursor, Paramyosin, and Profilin [ 18 , 91 , 92 , 93 ]. Twenty-six protein-based allergens which can cause hives, dizziness, itchy skin, and even shock in some people who consume silkworm pupae have been identified [ 6 , 91 , 94 ].…”

“…The allergenicity of silkworm pupae has been extensively reported, and the key allergen is the silkworm pupae protein or peptide, such as 27-kDa glycoprotein, Chitinase precursor, Paramyosin, and Profilin [ 18 , 91 , 92 , 93 ]. Twenty-six protein-based allergens which can cause hives, dizziness, itchy skin, and even shock in some people who consume silkworm pupae have been identified [ 6 , 91 , 94 ]. Allergic reactions can limit the use of silkworm pupae in food or health products, so it is important to find ways in which allergens can be reduced.…”

Honey Bee (Apis mellifera L.) Broods: Composition, Technology and Gastronomic Applicability

“…The nutritional composition of other edible insects’ pupae is highly variable. Silkworm ( Bombyx mori ) pupae have 21.5% protein content [ 29 ], while the silkworm ( Samia ricini ) pupae and mealworm ( Tenebrio molitor ) pupae have 54.8% [ 30 ] and 51% [ 31 ], respectively. Regarding fat content, silkworm ( Bombyx mori ) pupae have 13% [ 29 ], eri silkworm ( Samia ricini ) have 26.2% [ 30 ], and mealworm ( Tenebrio molitor ) pupae have 32% [ 31 ].…”

Nutritional Composition of Bombyx mori Pupae: A Systematic Review

“…In this systematic review, we concentrated on analyzing and summarizing the literature on the nutritional composition of B. mori pupae (further called SP for “silkworm pupae”). There are reviews addressing silkworm composition [ 14 ], but a systematic review addressing silkworm pupa composition is lacking. The main distinction between this systematic review and other reviews is that it compares all the data that are currently available about SP published in the searched literature in the declared time interval, allowing us to understand the potential and restrictions of SP as a food.…”