TITLE:
Larvae of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) as European novel food
AUTHORS:
Ewa Siemianowska, Agnieszka Kosewska, Marek Aljewicz, Krystyna A. Skibniewska, Lucyna Polak-Juszczak, Adrian Jarocki, Marta Jędras
KEYWORDS:
Larvae Tenobrio molitor L.; Chemical Composition; Protein; Fat; Fatty Acid; Minerals
JOURNAL NAME:
Agricultural Sciences,
Vol.4 No.6,
June
27,
2013
ABSTRACT: For centuries,
insects have been used as food due to their availability and easiness in
raising that is much less burdensome for environment than animal husbandry
breeding. Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) is a store-pest of which larvae are consumed by people. The aim of the work
was to determine the nutritional value of larvae of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.). The material was a
three-month-old mealworm larva 25 -30 mmin length. Larvae were boiled for 3 min and next dried in 60℃. Contents of water, ash,
minerals, protein, fat and fat acids profile have been determined. Fresh larvae
contained 56% of water, 18% of total protein, 22% of total fat and 1.55% of
ash. High contents of minerals were found in the larvae: magnesium (87.5
mg/100g), zinc (4.2 mg/100g), iron (3.8 mg/100g), copper (0.78 mg/100g) and
manganese (0.44 mg/100g). The proportion of n-6/n-3 fatty acids was very
advantageous and amounted to 6.76. Larvae powder contained twice higher content
of protein, fat, ash and minerals. Larva of mealworm is a valuable source of
nutrients in amounts more profitable for human organism than traditional meat
food. Powdered larva is a high-grade product to be applied as a supplement to
traditional meals.