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. 2020 Sep;62(5):741-752.
doi: 10.5187/jast.2020.62.5.741. Epub 2020 Sep 30.

Quality characteristics and protein digestibility of Protaetia brevitarsis larvae

Seonmin Lee  1 , Yun-Sang Choi  2 , Kyung Jo  1 , Tae-Kyung Kim  2 , Hae In Yong  2 , Samooel Jung  1
Affiliations

Quality characteristics and protein digestibility of Protaetia brevitarsis larvae

Seonmin Lee et al. J Anim Sci Technol. 2020 Sep.

Abstract

Herein, the in vitro protein digestibility of lyophilized Protaetia brevitarsis larvae flour with and without defatting using 70% ethanol was compared with beef loin. Proximate analysis showed that the defatted larvae contained the highest protein content (p < 0.05). The viable counts of total aerobic bacteria, Escherichia coli, and coliform bacteria decreased significantly after defatting the larval samples with 70% ethanol (p < 0.05). Measurement of α-amino group content and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) revealed higher amounts of low molecular weight proteins in the larvae compared to beef loin (p < 0.05). After in vitro digestion, the degree of protein hydrolysis of the digesta was higher for both larvae samples compared to beef loin (p < 0.05). No change was observed in the in vitro larval protein digestibility after defatting. These results highlight the excellent protein digestibility of P. brevitarsis larvae with high protein content. Defatting insect flour with 70% ethanol could enhance microbial safety while maintaining excellent protein digestibility.

Keywords: Beef loin; Edible insect; Protaetia brevitarsis; Protein digestibility.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) electrophoretogram of the samples.
IE, insect flour defatted with 70% ethanol; IF, insect flour; BF, beef flour.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) electrophoretogram of the in vitro gastrointestinal digesta.
IE, insect flour defatted with 70% ethanol; IF, insect flour; BF, beef flour.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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