Potential of Extracted Locusta Migratoria Protein Fractions as Value-Added Ingredients

Abstract

Although locusts can be sustainably produced and are nutrient rich, the thought of eating them can be hard to swallow for many consumers. This paper aims to investigate the nutritional composition of Locusta migratoria, including the properties of extracted locust protein, contributing to limited literature and product development opportunities for industry.Locusts sourced from Dunedin, New Zealand, contained a high amount of protein (50.79% dry weight) and fat (34.93%), which contained high amounts of omega-3 (15.64%), creating a desirably low omega-3/omega-6 ratio of 0.57. Three protein fractions including; insoluble locust fraction, soluble locust fraction, and a supernatant fraction were recovered following alkali isoelectric precipitation methodology. Initially, proteins were solubilised at pH 10 then precipitated out at the isoelectric point (pH 4). All fractions had significantly higher protein contents compared with the whole locust. The insoluble protein fraction represented 37.76% of the dry weight of protein recovered and was much lighter in colour and greener compared to other fractions. It also had the highest water and oil holding capacity of 5.17 mL/g and 7.31 mL/g, possibly due to larger particle size. The high supernatant yield (56.60%) and low soluble protein yield (9.83%) was unexpected and could be a result of experimental pH conditions chosen.

Characteristics, Functional Properties, and Antioxidant Activities of Water-Soluble Proteins Extracted from Grasshoppers,Patanga succinctaandChondracris roseapbrunner

“…e protein content of those grasshoppers was lower than that previously reported in the whole freeze-dried locust and alkali-extracted defatted locusts (65.87 and 82.26% dry weight, respectively) [26]. Clarkson et al [25] reported that crude protein content of L. migratoria was 50.79% (dry weight). e extraction efficiency of WSPP and WSPC were calculated to be 48.77 and 42.86%, indicating high efficacy of protein extraction.…”

“…e yields of the resultant freeze-dried counterparts called WSPP and WSPC were 7.35 ± 0.19 and 7.49 ± 0.19% (wet weight basis), respectively. Clarkson et al [25] found that protein yield in soluble locust fraction from L. migratoria was 9.83%. e difference in extraction yield was probably due to different preparations and extraction procedures.…”

“…e WSPC had a higher value than the WSPP for L * and b * , but lower values for a * , indicating more light green color in WSPC than WSPP. e green coloration could be due to a common green pigment identified in insects called insectoverdin [25]. Goodwin [27] postulated a mixture of two chromoproteins, one yellow component from carotenoids and the other a bile component (blue), creating the green color in the locust.…”

Subacute Oral Toxicity Evaluation of Freeze-Dried Powder of Locusta migratoria

“…Ethanol extract of L. migratoria has been investigated for its anti-inflammatory effects on BV-2 microglial cells ( Lee et al, 2018 ), inhibitory effect on osteoblast differentiation ( Baek et al, 2019 ), and osteoblastogenic activity ( Baek et al, 2018 ). In addition, the nutritional value of L. migratoria as a novel food has been established ( Clakson et al, 2018 ; Mohamed 2015a ; Mohamed 2015b ). With regard to the nutritional content of L. migratoria , 100 g of dry L. migratoria is comprised of 50.42±2% crude protein, 19.62±0.8% crude fat, 4.78±0.74% carbohydrates, 15.65±1.7% crude fiber, 6.24±0.5% ash, and 3.8±0.2% moisture ( Mohamad, 2015a ).…”

Comparative Analysis of Nutrients and Hazardous Substances in Locusta Migratoria from Host Plants

“…이외 에도 최근 풀무치의 추출물이 신경모세포 생성 및 조골세포 분화에도 효과가 있는 것으로 나타났다 [8,9]. 또한 풀무치의 영양성분 관련 문헌에 따르면 조단백질 50.42%, 조지방 4.78%, 탄수화물 15.65%, 조섬유 6.24%로 구성되어 있으며 지방산에는 포화지방산(팔미트산, 스테아르산)과 불포화지방 산(올레산, 리놀레산, 오메가-6, 오메가-3 지방산)을 포함하는 것으로 확인되었다 [10][11][12] (Fig. 1, Fig.…”