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Dietary fatty acids influence the growth and fatty acid composition of the yellow mealworm Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

  • Original Article
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Lipids

Abstract

Fat is the second most abundant component of the nutrient composition of the mealworm Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) that represents also an interesting source of PUFA, especially n-6 and n-3 fatty acids, involved in prevention of cardiovascular diseases. This study investigated the possibility of modifying the fat content and the FA composition of yellow mealworms through feeding and how this would be influenced by developmental stages, pupal sex, and generation with the future aim of applying this coleopteran as a diet supplement for human health. Growth rate and cumulative mortality percentage on the different feeding substrates were also evaluated to select the optimal conditions for a mass-raising of this insect species. Despite the different fat content in the six different breeding substrates used, T. molitor larvae and pupae contained a constant fat percentage (>34% in larvae and >30% in pupae). A similar total fat content was found comparing larvae and male and female pupae of the second generation to those of the first generation. On the contrary, FA composition differed both in larvae and pupae reared on the different feeding substrates. However, the exemplars reared on the diets based on 100% bread and 100% oat flour showed SFA, PUFA percentages, and an n-6/n-3 ratio more suitable for human consumption; the diet based on beer yeast, wheat flour, and oat flour resulted in a contemporary diet that most satisfied the balance between a fat composition of high quality and favorable growth conditions.

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Abbreviations

DHA:

Docosahexaenoic acid

EPA:

Eicosapentaenoic acid

FA:

Fatty acid(s)

FAME:

Fatty acid methyl ester(s)

FID:

Flame ionization detection

MUFA:

Monounsaturated fatty acid(s)

PUFA:

Polyunsaturated fatty acid(s)

SFA:

Saturated fatty acid(s)

UFA:

Unsaturated fatty acid(s)

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Acknowledgements

Research carried out under the project “The insects and prevention cardiovascular diseases-INSECT CARD” funded by the Tuscany Region-Public Call for Research Projects in the Nutraceutical Industry. Executive Decree No. 4741 of 21 October 2014; No. 5418 of 17 November 2014. We thank Iuni Margaret Trist PhD for helping with the manuscript writing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, via A. Moro, 53100, Siena, Italy

    Elena Dreassi, Assunta Zanfini, Lara Materozzi & Maurizio Botta

  2. Lead Discovery Siena Srl, via Vittorio Alfieri 31, Castelnuovo Berardenga, 53019, Siena, Italy

    Maurizio Botta

  3. Consiglio per la ricerca e la sperimentazione in agricoltura, Research Centre for Agrobiology and Pedology, Cascine del Riccio, Via di Lanciola 12/a, 50125, Florence, Italy

    Annarita Cito & Valeria Francardi

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  1. Elena Dreassi
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  2. Annarita Cito
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Correspondence to Elena Dreassi.

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Dreassi, E., Cito, A., Zanfini, A. et al. Dietary fatty acids influence the growth and fatty acid composition of the yellow mealworm Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). Lipids 52, 285–294 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-016-4220-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-016-4220-3

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