Protein fortification with mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) powder: Effect on textural, microbiological, nutritional and sensory features of bread

Properties of insect protein concentrate and potential application in seasoned rice noodles

In this study, we extracted proteins from four edible insect species (Acheta domesticus, Gryllus bimaculatus, Holotrichea sp., and Gryllotalpa orientalis), then evaluated their chemical and functional properties and used the extracts to prepare seasoned rice noodles. The four insect species contained 67-69% moisture, 13-18% protein, 6-10% fat, and 4-5% ash. The insect protein concentrate (IPC) contained 73-77% protein, and had high water solubility and emulsion stability (80-88%), moderate emulsion ability (56-65%), but low water- and oil-holding capacity (19% and 8-9%, respectively). The distinctive amino acid components in the IPC were glutamic acid and aspartic acid. In order to improve the nutritional and textural qualities of seasoned rice noodles, the IPC was added at rates of 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10% by weight of rice flour. The results showed that the cooking weight was not significantly different from plain rice noodles; however, the 8% IPC fortified rice noodles had the highest tensile strength, whereas the lightness, yellowness, and redness decreased with an increase in insect protein content. This study demonstrates success in using 2-8% of IPC in rice noodles as a stabilizing or thickening agent.

Could insects be an alternative food source? A comprehensive review

According to the United Nations, more than 800 million people are exposed to starvation. It is predicted that the world population will face much more serious starvation for reasons such as global warming, diseases, economic problems, rapid urbanization, and destruction of agricultural areas and water resources. Thus, there are significant hesitations about the sustainability of food resources, and the search for alternative food sources has increased. One of the leading alternative food sources is insects. Although the use of edible insects has been accepted in some areas of the world, entomophagy is not preferred in some countries due to sociocultural conditions, health concerns, neophobia, and entomophobia. Many people do not accept the direct consumption of raw insects, but insects can be transformed into more preferred forms by using different cooking techniques. Some ground edible insects are satisfactory in terms of nutritional value and have a reasonable level of acceptability when added to products such as bread, tortilla, and pasta in varying percentages. The world market value of edible insects was estimated to be US$3.2 million in 2021 and US$17.6 billion in 2032. In this review, the current and future situation of insects as an alternative food source is comprehensively discussed.

Wheat Bread Enriched with House Cricket Powder (Acheta domesticus L.) as an Alternative Protein Source

The house cricket (Acheta domesticus L.) is one of four edible insect species introduced to the EU market as a novel food and alternative protein source. Innovative products, such as cricket flour, are increasingly appearing on supermarket shelves and can offer an alternative to traditional cereals, while providing the body with many valuable nutrients of comparable quality to those found in meat and fish. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of using cricket powder as a substitute for wheat flour in the production of bread. The physicochemical properties of cricket powder were evaluated in comparison to wheat flour. As a result of technological studies, bread compositions with 5%, 10% and 15% replacements of wheat flour by cricket powder were designed and their quality characteristics (physicochemical, sensory and microbiological) were evaluated. Cricket powder was characterised by a higher protein (63% vs. 13.5%) and fat (16.3% vs. 1.16%) content and a lower carbohydrate (9.8% vs. 66%) and fibre (7.8% vs. 9.5%) content as compared to wheat flour. The tested preparations had a similar pH (6.9 and 6.8, respectively, for cricket powder and flour) and fat absorption capacity (0.14 vs. 0.27 g oil/g powder, respectively, for cricket powder and flour) but different water holding capacities and completely different colour parameters. All breads had good microbiological quality after baking and during 7 days of storage. In instrumental tests, the 10 and 15% replacements of wheat flour by cricket powder affected the darker colour of the breads and caused a significant increase in the hardness of the breads. The research has shown that the optimal level of replacement, which does not significantly affect the physiochemical and sensory characteristics, is 5% cricket powder in the bread recipe. Considering the results obtained and the fact that insects provide a sufficient supply of energy and protein in the human diet, are a source of fibre, vitamins and micronutrients, and have a high content of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, the suitability of cricket powder for protein enrichment of bakery products is confirmed.

Characterization of wheat dough and Chinese steamed bread using mealworm powder formulated with medium-gluten and whole wheat flour

BACKGROUND

Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae are nutritious edible insects and exhibit the potential to act as protein substitutes in food products. In this study, we added mealworm powder as a substitute to medium-gluten wheat and whole wheat flours to enhance the quality of baked products. We compared the pasting, farinograph and extensograph properties of medium-gluten wheat and whole wheat flours replaced with different concentrations of mealworm powder to explore the interactions between flour and mealworm powder.

RESULTS

Mealworm powder changed the pasting characteristics of medium-gluten wheat and whole wheat flours. After adding 20% mealworm powder, the pasting temperature of the medium-gluten wheat flour remained unchanged (approximately 89.9 °C), while the pasting temperature of whole wheat flour increased from 88.83 to 90.27 °C. Water absorption of medium-gluten and whole wheat flours exhibited a decreasing trend with increasing mealworm powder concentrations. Mealworm powder substitution resulted in stronger medium-gluten dough but exerted an opposite effect on the farinograph properties of whole wheat dough. Mealworm powder substitution decreased the stretching resistance of medium-gluten dough but increased that of whole wheat dough. With an increase in the concentration of mealworm powder, the specific volume of medium-gluten wheat steamed bread significantly increased from 1.69 mL g-1 (M0) to 3.31 mL g-1 (M10) whereas that of whole wheat steamed bread increased from 1.64 mL g-1 (M0) to 2.34 mL g-1 (M15). The addition of mealworm powder increased the protein, dietary fiber, lipid and sodium contents of steamed bread samples.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides a reference for the rheological properties of medium-gluten wheat and whole wheat flours substituted with mealworm powder and supports the addition of insects as a protein source in food products. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Quality and staling characteristics of white bread fortified with lysozyme-hydrolyzed mealworm powder (Tenebrio molitor L.)

Edible insects have a low environmental impact but are rich in nutrients and have been promoted as alternative protein sources. However, adding insect flour to bread negatively affects the overall quality, especially loaf volume and textural properties. Furthermore, relevant studies on chitin are limited. Therefore, this study examined chitin hydrolysis using lysozymes to enhance the quality characteristics in defatted mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) powder (DF-M)-supplemented bread. The chitin hydrolysis degree by lysozymes was evaluated using the 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid assay and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The amount of chitin oligomers increased with time, and no significant difference in the hydrolysis efficiency between water and 400 mM acetate buffer was observed. Enzymatic hydrolysis improved the DF-M water- and oil-binding and antioxidant capacities. In addition, chitin hydrolysis increased the volume and softened the texture of white bread. In particular, bread supplemented with DF-M hydrolyzed for 4 h at 10 % had the highest moisture content among the mealworm-added bread groups during storage for 5 days. Moreover, sensory evaluation showed a positive effect of chitin hydrolysis on acceptability. Our findings indicate that chitin hydrolysis can improve the quality of bread containing insect additives. In conclusion, this study provides novel insights into producing high-quality and functional bakery products from edible insects by the enzymatic hydrolysis of edible insect powders and could expand the applications of edible insects as food ingredients.

The Influence of Different Sustainable Substrates on the Nutritional Value of Tenebrio molitor Larvae

Every year, over 30% of food production is wasted. However, promoting a sustainable food supply not only fosters economic stability in agriculture and the food industry, but also safeguards precious natural resources and ensures universal food access and safety. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine how specific growth conditions (utilizing by-products: sprouted potatoes (1), wheat bran (2), brewers' spent grain (3), and a control sample with agar-agar gels (4)) affect the larvae of yellow mealworms (Tenebrio molitor). This includes their nutritional and energy value, consumer sensory profiling, and technological parameters of processing. The results have indicated that larvae reared on the substrate with wheat bran had the highest energy value, at 708.26 kcal. In larvae, the difference in protein content was not significant when changing the rearing conditions, and ranged between 48.54 and 59.18%. The larvae contained a significant content of fibers, with the highest amount detected in samples with brewers' spent grain. The data indicate that glucose and arabinose were distinctive to larvae. Our study has also revealed a statistical difference in ash content between larvae and the substrate, with higher levels of nitrogen, copper, and zinc detected in the larvae compared to the substrate. We have found that the salt was naturally occurring in the substrates, with the brewers' spent grain sample having the highest amount, at 1.83%. However, the control sample yielded the highest ratings, achieving a score of 7.30 for general smell acceptability. These findings emphasize the potential of utilizing various industrial and farm by-products as substrates for mealworms, transforming them into a sustainable and nutrient-rich food source. This contribution adds to the broader discourse on nutritional value and resource efficiency.

Consumption of edible insects and insect-based foods: A systematic review of sensory properties and evoked emotional response

Low consumer acceptance of edible insects and insect-based products is one of the main barriers to the successful implementation of entomophagy in Western countries. This rejection is mainly caused by consumers' negative emotional responses, psychological/personality traits, and attitudes toward food choices. However, as the role of intrinsic product characteristics on such food choices has not been adequately studied, a systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA method, to analyze studies that have assessed hedonic evaluations, sensory profiling, or emotional responses to edible insects or insect-based products. The majority of studies performed with whole insects and insect flour highlight that insect-based products are more negatively evaluated than control products. Although the sensory properties of insects are affected by species and processing conditions, they are generally negative across sensory dimensions. In particular, insects and insect-based products are generally associated with odor and flavor/taste attributes that are related to old/spoiled food. These negative attributes can be linked to the fat fraction of edible insects, with insect oils being very negatively evaluated by consumers. On the other hand, defatted fractions and deodorized oils are not associated with these negative attributes, further supporting the hypothesis that the fat fraction is responsible for the negative odor and flavor/taste attributes. However, there is still a lack of studies assessing the sensory profile of edible insects and insect-based products, as well as consumers' emotional responses to their consumption. Future studies should focus on the effects of different processing conditions, products incorporating insect fractions (namely protein concentrates/isolates and defatted fractions), and evaluation by target consumer groups.

Innovative Applications of Tenebrio molitor Larvae in Food Product Development: A Comprehensive Review

The utilization of alternative and sustainable food sources has garnered significant interest as a means to address the challenges of food security and environmental sustainability. Tenebrio molitor larvae, commonly known as mealworms, have emerged as a promising candidate in this context, as they are a rich source of nutrients and can be reared with relatively low resource input. This review article presents an in-depth analysis of the diverse range of food products developed using T. molitor larvae and the distinctive properties they bestow on these products. The review encompasses an exploration of the nutritional composition of the larvae, emphasizing their rich protein content, balanced amino acid profile, fatty acids with health benefits, vitamins, and minerals. It delves into how these attributes have been harnessed to enhance the nutritional value of a variety of food items, ranging from protein-rich snacks and energy bars to pasta, bakery goods, etc. Each of these applications is discussed with regard to how T. molitor larvae contribute to the nutritional content and sensory characteristics of the final product. Furthermore, this review sheds light on the innovative techniques and processing methods employed to incorporate T. molitor larvae into different food matrices. It addresses challenges related to taste, texture, and appearance that have been encountered and the strategies devised to overcome related problems. Overall, this comprehensive review elucidates the diverse food products that have been developed utilizing T. molitor larvae as a key ingredient. Highlighting the nutritional, sensory, and sustainability aspects of these products, this review offers valuable insights to harness the potential of this alternative protein source to meet the evolving needs of modern food systems.

Chemical Composition, Antioxidant Properties and Sensory Aspects of Sponge Cakes Supplemented with Edible Insect Flours

The chemical composition, antioxidant properties, and sensory aspects of sponge cakes with the addition of flours from edible insects (buffalo worm, cricket, and mealworm) were evaluated. The addition of edible-insect flours increased the protein, fat, and dietary fiber content in all cases. The utilization of edible insects demonstrated a notable augmentation in the phenolic compounds (especially protocatechuic acid and protocatechuic aldehyde, and syringic, ferulic, and sinapic acids). This resulted in an increase in the antioxidant activity measured against the ABTS radical cation, the DPPH radical, and ferric ions. The antioxidant potential, assessed by four different methods, unequivocally confirmed that the aforementioned polyphenolic compounds found in edible insects provide significant radical-scavenging and antioxidant activity in sponge cakes containing them. The polyunsaturated fatty acid contents were significantly lower in cakes with insect flour compared to the standard wheat cakes. Products and raw materials exhibited high values of the n - 6/n - 3 ratio, which may be associated with negative health effects, with a high oleic acid content. The amino acid score (AAS) for the essential amino acids exceeded 100% for all obtained products. The sponge cakes were accepted by consumers and the taste was the most important predictor for overall acceptability, whereas the structure and appearance had less impact.

Effect of Adding Different Commercial Propylene Glycol Alginates on the Properties of Mealworm-Flour-Formulated Bread and Steamed Bread

Mealworm-flour-formulated flour-based products have gained increasing attention; however, their textural properties need to be improved. Propylene glycol alginate (PGA) is a commercial food additive with excellent emulsifying and stabilizing capabilities. We evaluated the effects of adding three commercially available PGAs (0.3% w/w, as food additive) on the properties of 10% concentration of mealworm-flour-formulated bread and steamed bread. The results showed that, compared with the control (2.17 mL/g), three PGA brands (Q, M, and Y) significantly increased the specific volume of the bread to 3.34, 3.40, and 3.36 mL/g, respectively. Only PGA from brand Q significantly improved the specific volumes of bread and steamed bread. The color of the bread was affected by the Maillard reaction. The addition of PGAs also augmented the moisture content of the fresh bread crumbs and steamed bread crumbs. All three PGAs improved the textural properties of bread and steamed bread. During storage, PGA addition delayed the staling of bread and steamed bread. In summary, our study showed that the addition of 0.3% PGA from three different producers improved bread properties, with PGA from brand Q having the most substantial effect. PGA had a more substantial effect on bread than steamed bread. Our results provide a theoretical basis to guide the development of insect-formulated flour-based products.

Unravelling the nutritional and health benefits of wheat bread enriched with meat powder from laying hen fed diet with insect (Hermetia illucens) meal

Wheat bread is among stable foods that are nutritionally imbalanced, thus enrichment is crucial. We evaluated the nutritional impact of high-valued wheat bread enriched with varying levels of meat powder from hen fed diet with insect (Hermetia illucens)-based meal. Crude protein and ash in bread increased with increasing inclusion of meat powder. Limiting amino acids like lysine and threonine in enriched bread products increased by 3.0-4.5 and 1.8-3.1-folds, respectively. Omega 3 fatty acids were significantly enhanced in bread fortified with meat powder. Vitamins (retinol, nicotinic acid, and pantothenic acid) were significantly increased in supplemented bread products. Iron, zinc, and calcium increased by 1.1, 1.2 and 3.0-folds in enriched bread with 30% meat powder. Colour, flavour and overall acceptability of breads prepared with 25 and 30% meat powder were highly ranked. Our findings demonstrate that meat powder (i.e., from hen fed insect-based diets) enrichment would provide added health and nutritional benefits to bread products without having adverse effects on any functional or sensory properties. Thus, this could be a novel strategy and trend for improving bread products, that might generate increasing demand for a healthier consumer-oriented lifestyle.

Development of Fortified Breads Enriched with Plant-Based Bioactive Peptides Derived from the Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) Expeller

By-products from the industrialization of oilseeds, particularly chia, can be sustainably used for the development of new functional products. In this work, wheat breads supplemented with up to 10 mg of chia expeller hydrolysate/g of flour were prepared, obtaining fortified breads with acceptability for consumption, according to a preliminary consumer research study based on an affective test employing a five-point hedonic scale of global acceptance. In this context, protein hydrolysates of the chia expeller were produced using Alcalase, reaching a degree of hydrolysis of 54.3 ± 1.6% with an antioxidant activity of 55.8 ± 0.4% after 6 h incubation at 25 °C in the presence of the enzyme. These peptides showed appropriate techno-functional properties and chemical compositions suitable for the further development of bakery products. Taken together, our approach and the development of a fortified bread with plant-based bioactive peptides provide a novel and eco-friendly alternative for the recovery of nutrients from agro-industrial waste. More importantly, these enriched breads could exert beneficial effects on human health by exploiting the antioxidant properties of functional peptides derived from the chia expeller.

Designing nutrition-sensitive agriculture (NSA) interventions with multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA): a review

Despite the efforts to end malnutrition through intensive agriculture of caloric crops, micronutrient deficiencies and other forms of malnutrition persist in vulnerable communities worldwide. Nutrition-sensitive agriculture (NSA) interventions are recognized as chances to address the causes of malnutrition. In this work, the different types of NSA interventions were explored, as well as the pathways through which they can improve nutrition (e.g., increasing biofortified crops and income generation via agricultural sales for a positive impact on access to nutritious foods, and simultaneously involving nutrition education to improve care practices and eventually nutritional status). Some NSA interventions focus on one pathway. Well-designed interventions, however, should follow multi-pathway approaches targeting the underlying causes of undernutrition within the selected population. The circumstances in which certain indicators should be used to measure the impact of an NSA intervention in each stage of the full pathway were also explained, as well as the need of enhancing the design of such interventions. Multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) has been employed to solve agriculture-related issues, but it has not been used to identify the optimal types of NSA interventions, metrics, and indicators based on the context of the community, priorities and objectives of the project managers and designers, etc.

Aroma characterization and consumer acceptance of four cookie products enriched with insect (Ruspolia differens) meal

This research aims to advance knowledge on the impact of four processing methods on volatile compounds from insect-based baked products (cookies) to provide insights on consumer acceptance. Samples were exposed to double step enzyme digestive test, volatiles characterized through headspace analysis, while semi-trained panelists were recruited for the sensory test. Blanched and boiled samples of R. differens had considerably higher digestibility (83.42% and 81.61%, respectively) (p < 0.05) than toasted and deep-fried samples. Insect-based cookie products integrated with blanched and boiled R. differens meal expressed higher digestibility (80.41% and 78.73%, respectively) that was comparable to that of commercial cookie products (control cookies-CTRC with 88.22%). Key volatile compounds common between the various cookie products included, nonanal, octanal, methyl-pyrazine, hexanal, tetradecane, 2-pentylfuran, 2-heptanone, 2E-octenal, 2E-heptenal and dodecane. Among the volatile compounds, pleasant aromas observed were 2E,4E-dodecadienal, pentanal, octanal, methyl pyrazine, furfurals, benzaldehyde, and 2-pentyl furan, which were more pronounced in cookies fortified with boiled, toasted and deep-fried R. differens meal. There was a greater resemblance of sensory characteristics between control cookies and those fortified with deep-fried R. differens. These findings underscore the significant influence of aroma compounds on consumer acceptability and preference for insect-based baked food products, which allows for future process-modification of innate aromas of insect-based meals to produce high-valued pleasant consumer driven market products.

It tastes OK, but I don't want to eat it: New insights into food disgust

To better understand food-disgust, we investigated the long-standing theory that disgust towards a food causes it to taste 'bad'. To induce disgust, participants were served cookies labelled as containing crickets (Study 1); or served whole crickets versus novel (leblebi) and familiar (peanuts) control foods (Study 2). Participants (Study 1: N = 80; Study 2: N = 90) tasted the foods and rated taste pleasantness, desire to eat, disgust and, in Study 1, 16 taste attributes (e.g., nuttiness). Latency to eat and food intake were included as behavioural indicators of disgust. In both studies disgusting foods were presumed to taste bad, but this was disconfirmed after tasting - disgust did not cause the food to taste bad. Nonetheless, the taste attribute results suggested increased attention towards cricket flavours/textures. Furthermore, desire to eat and intake results suggested that disgust, but not novelty, was associated with reduced food wanting. Even if a disgust-inducing food tastes OK, people do not 'want' to consume it. By offering novel insights into our understanding of disgust, these results may stimulate progress in new avenues of emotion research, as well as informing the development of methods to reduce disgust and increase the acceptance of novel, sustainable, foods. For example, interventions should encourage tasting to overcome negative expectations of taste pleasantness and should tackle low levels of wanting, e.g., by normalising consumption of the target food.

Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Composition of Nut Bars with Addition of Various Edible Insect Flours

Edible insects represent a new functional source of nutrients that can contribute to solving nutritional deficiency problems. The antioxidant potential and bioactive compounds of nut bars with the addition of three edible insects were evaluated. Acheta domesticus L., Alphitobius diaperinus P. and Tenebrio molitor L. flours were used. A 30% share of insect flour in the bars resulted in significantly greater antioxidant activity (TPC increased from 190.19 for standard bars to 309.45 mg catechin/100 g for bars with 30% addition of cricket flour). Insect flour contributed significantly to an increase in 2,5-dihydrobenzoic acid (from 0.12 for bars with a 15% share of buffalo worm flour to 0.44 mg/100 g in the case of bars with a 30% share of cricket flour) and chlorogenic acid in all bars (from 0.58 for bars with a 15% share of cricket flour to 3.28 mg/100 g for bars with a 30% addition of buffalo worm flour), compared to the standard. The highest content of tocopherols was found in bars with cricket flour, compared to standard bars (43.57 and 24.06 mg/100 g of fat, respectively). The dominant sterol in bars enriched with insect powder was cholesterol. The highest amount of it was found in cricket bars, and the lowest in mealworm bars (64.16 and 21.62 mg/100 g of fat, respectively). The enrichment of nut bars with insect flours raises the levels of valuable phytosterols in the final product. The addition of edible insect flours reduced the perception of most sensory attributes of the bars, compared to the standard bar.

Bioactive food-derived peptides for functional nutrition: Effect of fortification, processing and storage on peptide stability and bioactivity within food matrices

New challenges in food production and processing are appearing due to increasing global population and the purpose of achieving a sustainable food system. Bioactive peptides obtained from food proteins can be employed to prevent or pre-treat several diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, inflammation, thrombosis, cancer, etc. Research on the bioactivity of protein hydrolysates is very extensive, especially in vitro tests, although there are also tests in animal models and in humans studies designed to verify their efficacy. However, there is very little published literature on the functionality of these protein hydrolysates as an ingredient in food matrices, as well as the effect that thermal or non-thermal processing, and storage may have on the bioactivity of these bioactive peptides. This review aims to summarize the published literature on protein hydrolysates as a functional ingredient including processing, storage and simulated gastrointestinal digestion regarding the bioactivity of these peptides inside food matrices.

Use of a Thermodynamic Sensor in Monitoring Fermentation Processes in Gluten-Free Dough Proofing

Dough fermentation in gluten-free bakery products is problematic due to the absence of gluten, which provides advantageous rheological properties. A thermodynamic sensor (TDS) system combined with an electronic nose was tested as an alternative to conventional methods monitoring dough development based on mechanical properties. In the first part, the configuration of the sensors in the thermodynamic system and their response to different heat-source positions, which significantly affect the output signal from the measurement system, were investigated. The practical contribution lies in the application of the measurements to the example of gluten-free doughs with and without edible insect enrichment. An optimized configuration of the thermodynamic system (one sensor on the inner wall of the container at the bottom and another in the middle of the container closer to the top of the dough) in combination with an experimental electronic nose was used for the aforementioned measurement. In some cases, up to 87% correlation between the signal from the TDS and the signals from a professional rheofermentometer Rheo F-4 (Chopin) was demonstrated. The differences between the results can be explained by the use of different techniques. Using a combination of sensor systems in one place, one time and one sample can lead to more comprehensive and robust results. Furthermore, it was shown that the fermentation activity increased in corn dough with the addition of insects compared to dough without the addition. In rice flour dough with the addition of edible insects, fermentation activity was similar to that of the flour without the addition.

Consumer Attitudes and Acceptability of Wheat Pancakes with the Addition of Edible Insects: Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor), Buffalo Worm (Alphitobius diaperinus), and Cricket (Acheta domesticus)

The aim of this study was to determine the degree of acceptability of wheat pancakes with the addition of 10%, 20%, and 30% meal from three edible insect species (Alphitobius diaperinus, Tenebrio molitor, Acheta domesticus, respectively). Both consumer attitudes and the acceptability of the test samples were analysed. The study results show that the amount of additive had a statistically significant effect on all of the organoleptic evaluation's distinguishing features, while the type of additive did not have such a significant effect on the level of consumer acceptability. Both the type and amount of the additive only had a statistically significant effect on the structure of the pancakes. Of all the variants, the sample with the addition of 30% crickets (Pref-2.51) was given the lowest score. An increase in the insect meal content of the products resulted in decreased scores for all the parameters under assessment. The key element that influenced the overall preference was the flavour. Even though the respondents declared positive attitudes towards the idea of consuming pancakes with the addition of insects and entomophagy in general, they were still reluctant to include insects in their diets.

Effect of Mealworm Powder Substitution on the Properties of High-Gluten Wheat Dough and Bread Based on Different Baking Methods

Mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) are protein-rich edible insects that have been regarded as novel food ingredients. In this study, high-gluten wheat flour was formulated with dried mealworm powder at various levels (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) to study its influence on the pasting, farinograph, and extensograph properties and microstructure of the dough. A subsequent decrease in the pasting parameters was observed due to starch dilution. The water absorption, dough development time, and dough stability time decreased gradually from 71.9% to 68.67%, 13.6 min to 10.43 min, and 14.1 min to 5.33 min, respectively, with the increase in the substitution of mealworm powder from 0% to 20%. The farinograph characteristics corresponded to a weak gluten network formed through the dilution of gluten by the replacement of wheat flour with a non-gluten ingredient. The stretch ratio of the high-gluten dough increased gradually from 4.37 (M0) to 6.33 (M15). The increased stretching resistance and extensibility of the dough with 5% and 10% mealworm powder indicated that mealworm powder can act as a plasticizer in the gluten network, which might contribute to the decreased strength and increased elasticity and flexibility of the dough network. The bread made with three different baking methods showed similar increases in specific volume and decreased hardness up to the 10% substitution level, owing to the increased elasticity and flexibility of the dough. The GB/T 35869-2018 Rapid-baking method, GB/T 14611-2008 Straight dough method, and automatic bread maker method exhibited the highest specific volumes of 3.70 mL/g, 3.79 mL/g, and 4.14 mL/g when the wheat flour was substituted with 10% mealworm powder. However, 15% and 20% mealworm powder substitution markedly reduced the bread quality owing to the dilution effect and mealworm powder phase separation. These results provide a perspective on the relationship between the rheological properties of mealworm powder-substituted high-gluten dough and application suggestions for insect food development in the food industry.

Chemical Composition, Nutritional Value, and Acceptance of Nut Bars with the Addition of Edible Insect Powder

Six types of nut-based bars with the addition of edible insect flour were obtained. Flours made from three different insects (Tenebrio molitor L., Acheta domesticus L., Alphitobius diaperinus P.) were used at two different additive levels (15% and 30%) in relation to the weight of the nuts. The addition of insect flour significantly increased protein content and the insoluble fraction of dietary fiber. The largest amount of these compounds was found in bars with 30% cricket flour, 15.51 g/100 g and 6.04 g/100 g, respectively, in comparison to standard bars, 10.78 g/100 g and 3.14 g/100 g, respectively. The greatest consumer acceptance was found in relation to bars with buffalo worm flour. The overall acceptance of these bars was 6.26-6.28 points compared to 6.48 for standard bars. Bars and raw materials were characterized by the high biological value of the protein. Cis linoleic acid dominated among unsaturated fatty acids. The percentage of this compound was in the range of 69.56%, for bars with a 30% addition of buffalo worm flour, to 73.88%, for bars with 15% cricket flour. Instrumental analysis of taste and smell compounds showed the presence of compounds such as 3-methylbutanoic acid, hexanal, and 2,3-pentanedione.

Innovation in Alternative Food Sources: A Review of a Technological State-of-the-Art of Insects in Food Products

Insects present great potential for the food industry due to their easier rearing conditions and high nutritional value, in comparison with traditional livestock. However, there is a lack of evaluation of the technological status of food products developed with edible insects. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the emergent technological and scientific applications of edible insects in the food industry through a prospective study of patent documents and research articles. Espacenet was used as a research tool, applying the terms Insect, Pupa, Larva, or Nymph and the codes A23L33 and A23V2002. A total of 1139 documents were found-341 were related to the study. Orbit^® was used to evaluate technological domains and clusters of concepts. Scopus database research was performed to assess the prevalence of insect research, with the term "edible and insect*". The main insects used were silkworms, bees, beetles, mealworms, crickets, and cicadas. Protein isolates were the predominant technology, as they function as an ingredient in food products or supplements. A diverse application possibility for insects was found due to their nutritional composition. The insect market is expected to increase significantly in the next years, representing an opportunity to develop novel high-quality/sustainable products.

Effect of Grafted Insect Protein with Palatinose on Quality Properties of Phosphate-Free Meat Emulsion

Due to concerns about the negative effects of phosphate on human health, the development of phosphate substitutes is an active area of research. Among the various methods, the structural modification of proteins has previously been established. In this study, we used grafting technology. Extracted insect protein was grafted with palatinose (GI), and 0.1 and 0.15% of GI were added to a phosphate-free meat emulsion mixed with 0.1% of eggshell powder (ES). The pH, myofibrillar protein solubility, and apparent viscosity increased with the addition of GI and ES (p < 0.05). Color values were also affected by GI and ES addition (decreased CIE L* and CIE a* and increased CIE b*; p < 0.05), while cooking loss was only improved by the addition of ES and not GI. Although the total fluid separated more than negative control (p < 0.05), the addition of ES improved emulsion stability and total expressible fluid separation and the fat separation reduced with addition of GI and ES (p < 0.05). Lipid oxidation was inhibited by the addition of GI and ES (p < 0.05). Moreover, the protein molecular weight distribution under 20 kDa was modified by the addition of GI, and the hardness and springiness of treatments decreased. In conclusion, the addition of GI and ES might be used to improve cooking loss, emulsion stability, and antioxidants, while the textural properties should be further researched.

Will It Cricket? Product Development and Evaluation of Cricket (Acheta domesticus) Powder Replacement in Sausage, Pasta, and Brownies

Insect powders used in food products may lower the overall quality when compared to conventional counterparts. This preliminary study was used to develop and evaluate insect-based food products and to utilize them in a future consumer test. Pork sausage, dried pasta, and chocolate brownie formulations were developed to either contain NO cricket powder (Control) or have cricket powder (CP). The products were evaluated for proximate composition and product-dependent parameters. The protein content increased in the CP pasta and brownies (p < 0.05) while no changes were found in the sausage (p > 0.05). Fat content increased in both the CP pasta and brownies while it decreased in the CP sausage (p < 0.05). The CP sausage had a higher carbohydrate content than the Control (p < 0.05). Overall, this may be attributed to cricket powder being high in protein and fat while also containing dietary fiber. Cricket powder replacement may lead to noticeable color differences by increasing green and blue coloring in sausage and pasta (p < 0.05). Changes in textural properties (p < 0.05) may be attributed to cricket powder affecting protein solubility and emulsion stability in sausage while gluten formation may be interfered with in the brownies. Overall, cricket powder replacement had improved nutritional content with minor changes in quality parameters.

Adding Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) Powder to Wheat Bread: Effects on Physicochemical, Sensory and Microbiological Qualities of the End-Product

Entomophagy, that is, the consumption of insects, is gaining more and more popularity. The research carried out so far on the use of edible insects in the food industry has shown that they are a valuable source of protein, and do not significantly affect the functional and sensory properties of food. Edible insects also contribute to sustainable, environment friendly food production. Taking the above into account, the influence of adding insect powder on the physicochemical properties, sensory characteristics, and microbiological qualities of wheat bread was evaluated. This study aimed to partially replace wheat flour (5, 10, and 15%) in bread with mealworm powder (T. molitor) to produce protein-fortified bread. Bread containing mealworm powder showed similar density and water activity compared to the control wheat bread. The addition of mealworm powder did not negatively affect the properties of bread. The total color difference increased significantly (p < 0.05) with the insect flour share in bread formulation and ranged between 2.27 for M5, 4.00 for M10, and 4.50 for M15. The protein content in bread fortified with 5−15% mealworm powder increased by 15−59% compared to the control bread, whereas fat content increased by 35% to 113%. Results of sensory evaluation revealed that modification of the recipe, depending on the mealworm powder addition level, significantly (p < 0.05) affected bread color, odor, flavor, and overall sensory quality. The research showed that the optimal enrichment level is using 5% mealworm flour in the bread recipe. Moreover, the obtained variants of bread were characterized by good microbiological quality after baking. In bread M10, no yeasts and molds were found during a period of 2 days of storage. The number of yeasts and molds in the other bread variants was relatively low. To conclude, the results confirmed the usefulness of insect powder in making protein-fortified bread of good quality comparable to traditional wheat bread.

Protein Ingredients in Bread: Technological, Textural and Health Implications

The current lifestyle and trend for healthier foods has generated a growing consumer interest in acquiring bread products with a better nutritional composition, primarily products with high protein and fiber and low fat. Incorporating different protein sources as functional ingredients has improved the nutritional profile but may also affect the dough properties and final characteristics of bread. This review focuses on the incorporation of different animal, vegetable, and mixed protein sources, and the percentage of protein addition, analyzing nutritional changes and their impact on dough properties and different texture parameters, appearances, and their impact on bread flavor and health-related effects. Alternative processing technologies such as germination and sourdough-based technologies are discussed. Using fermented doughs can improve the nutritional composition and properties of the dough, impacting positively the texture, appearance, flavor, and aroma of bread. It is essential to innovate alternative protein sources in combination with technological strategies that allow better incorporation of these ingredients, not only to improve the nutritional profile but also to maintain the texture and enhance the sensory properties of the bread and consequently, increase the effects on consumer health.

Effect of Partial Substitution of Flour with Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) Powder on Dough and Biscuit Properties

Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) is a type of edible insect rich in protein that has become popular as a protein-alternative ingredient in flour-based products to improve the nutritional properties of baking products. The mealworm powder substitution affected the pasting, farinograph, extensograph properties of wheat flour and the texture, nutritional, and sensory properties of the resulting soda biscuit. The pasting parameters (peak viscosity, trough viscosity, breakdown viscosity, final viscosity, and setback viscosity) and the water absorption decreased with the increased mealworm powder substitution level, which was ascribed to the dilution effect of mealworm powder. The farinograph parameters remained similar up to 15% substitution level. The extensograph results showed that mealworm powder substitution decreased the elastic properties of wheat dough as indicated by the consistently decreased extensibility, stretching energy, and stretching resistance, resulting in a significantly decreased baking expansion ratio of the soda biscuit. The protein, lipid, and dietary fiber content of the biscuits increased accordingly with the increased mealworm powder substitution level. The protein content of the soda biscuit was gradually increased from 9.13/100 g for the control (M0) to 16.0/100 g for that supplemented with 20% mealworm powder (M20), accompanied with the significantly increased essential amino acid content. Meanwhile, the fat and dietary fiber content of M20 exhibited 20.5 and 21.7% increase compared to those of M0. The score of the sensory attributes showed no significant difference up to 15% substitution level. The results demonstrated the 15% mealworm powder substitution level would not significantly affect the farinograph property, microstructure of wheat dough, and sensory acceptability.

Satiety of Edible Insect-Based Food Products as a Component of Body Weight Control

Among the many aspects determining the nutritional potential of insect-based foods, research into the satiating potential of foods is an important starting point in the design of new functional foods, including those based on edible insects. The aim of this study was to assess the satiating value of products with the addition of freeze-dried insect flour. The test material included wheat pancakes in which corresponding proportions of wheat flour were substituted with 10% Mw, 0% Mw, and 30% Mw of flour from freeze-dried Tenebrio molitor, 10% Bw, 20% Bw, and 30% Bw of flour from Alphitobius diaperinus, and 10% Cr, 20% Cr, and 30% Cr of flour from Acheta domesticus. The study included the characterisation of physico-chemical properties and their effect on the satiating potential of the analysed pancakes. A total of 71 healthy volunteers (n = 39 women, n = 32 men) with no food phobias were qualified for the study. Each subject rated the level of hunger and satiety before and after ingestion at 30 min intervals over the subsequent 180 min on two separate graphical scales. The rating was done on an unstructured 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS). A portion intended for testing had a value of 240 kcal. The highest average satiety values were noted for the pancakes with an addition of 30% Alphitobius diaperinus (Bw) and with the addition of 20% and 30% addition of Acheta domesticus flour (Cr). The Tenebrio molitor-based products were the least satiating. However, the largest addition of 30% of an insect flour for each variant considerably increased the satiating potential as compared to the control sample. Satiety was influenced the most by the protein content in the test wheat pancakes. The results support the idea of a possible usage of insect-based food products in the composition of obesity treatment diets, carbohydrate-limiting diets, and as alternative sources of protein.

Consumers' acceptance of the first novel insect food approved in the European Union: Predictors of yellow mealworm chips consumption

Climate and environmental-related challenges are high on the agenda of the European Union (EU). One priority is to redesign the existing food system into a more sustainable one, where the link between healthy people and a balanced environment is considered. The EU bets on the role of insect farming in supporting the transition toward healthier and future-proof diets. Following this orientation, we investigated consumers' attitude toward yellow mealworm chips (YMC) and identified the predictors of YMC consumption. The causal relationships between constructs were explored using the structural equation modeling (SEM) based on partial least squares (PLS) using SmartPLS software. The perceived lower environmental impact of YMC compared to meat was the most appreciated characteristic of YMC. The study identified five predictors of YMC consumption, among which the perceived characteristics of YMC have the strongest influence on the consumption probability. Against the expectations of the authors, disgust with the accidental encounter of insects in foods did not influence the probability of eating YMC. Age was another predictor of YMC consumption. It is known that food preferences and eating behaviors are mainly developed during childhood and tend to manifest in adult life. Consequently, it can be inferred that acceptance and preference for insect-based foods (IBF) should be stimulated from early childhood. Finally, practical implications are advanced as possible solutions to overcome the obstacles toward YMC consumption.

Application of edible insects as novel protein sources and strategies for improving their processing

Insects have long been consumed by humans as a supplemental protein source, and interest in entomophagy has rapidly increased in recent years as a potential sustainable resource in the face of environmental challenges and global food shortages. However, food neophobia inhibits the widespread consumption of edible insects, despite their high nutritional and functional value. The own characteristics of edible insect protein such as foaming properties, emulsifying properties, gelling properties and essential amino acid ratio can be improved by drying, defatting, and extraction. Although nutritional value of some protein-enriched bread, pasta, and meat products, especially essential amino acid components was increased, replacement of conventional food with edible insects as a novel food source has been hindered owing to the poor cross-linking properties of edible insect protein. This deterioration in physicochemical properties may further limit the applicability of edible insects as food. Therefore, strategies must be developed to improve the quality of edible insect enriched food with physical, chemical, and biological methods. It was presented that an overview of the recent advancements in these approaches and highlight the challenges and prospects for this field. Applying these strategies to develop insect food in a more familiar form can help to make insect-enriched foods more appealing to consumers, facilitating their widespread consumption as a sustainable and nutritious protein source.

Rheological Characterization of Chapatti (Roti) Enriched with Flour or Paste of House Crickets (Acheta domesticus)

Addition of edible insects to food products may improve the nutritional status but can also influence their techno-functional properties. This study investigates the impact of supplementing wheat flour by cricket flour or paste at different levels (5–15%) on the rheological and textural properties of flour, dough, and baked chapatti. Addition of freeze-dried cricket flour resulted in the highest water absorption. The storage modulus increased at higher level (10–15%) of supplementation to wheat flour indicating an increased dough consistency. Similarly, biaxial extension of the dough showed an increased resistance to extension and decreased extensibility at higher level of supplementation due to a reduced strength of the gluten network. Uniaxial extension of baked chapatti showed less extensible and harder chapatti with the addition of a higher amount of cricket flour or paste. At lower level (5%), incorporation of cricket flour resulted in chapatti with textural properties comparable to the reference. Oven dried cricket powder is suggested as the best option for incorporating in chapatti dough to improve food security in Asian Countries.

Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor): Potential and Challenges to Promote Circular Economy

Simple Summary

The main objective of this review is to analyse the potential of insects from the perspective of circular economy, focusing our attention on mealworm larvae. After pointing out the key concepts of circular economy and describing the use of insects in bioconversion processes, we discuss the most relevant uses of the mealworm in different industries, which show the great contribution this insect can make within circular productive systems. This topic has attracted a lot of attention due to its implications from an economic and environmental point of view. Recently, mealworm larvae were positively assessed by European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) as a safe novel food. As a matter of fact, the mealworm is the first edible insect to achieve this important milestone in the EU. Due to this new scientific opinion, considerable expectations arise on mealworms and their potential in different fields, which will surely lead to market developments in the following years.

Abstract

Over the last few years, the concept of Circular Economy (CE) has received a lot of attention due to its potential contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially by reconciling economic growth with the protection of the environment through its grow-make-use-restore approach. The use of insects in circular production systems has been a good example of this concept as insects can transform a wide range of organic waste and by-products into nutritious feedstuffs, which then go back into the production cycle. This paper explores the potential of mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) in circular production systems by reviewing their use and applicability in several industries such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food, etc. Despite the high versatility of this insect and its potential as a substitute source of nutrients and other valuable components, there are still many legislative and behavioural challenges that hinder its adoption and acceptance.

Investigating edible insects as a sustainable food source: nutritional value and techno-functional and physiological properties

This work is aimed to evaluate the nutritional composition, and the techno-functional and in vitro physiological properties of flours made using six different insect species and the sensorial feasibility of including them in bakery products. The insect flours exhibited high protein and fat contents as their main components, highlighting the presence of chitin in ant samples. The techno-functional properties showed high oil holding, swelling, and emulsifying capacities in all the analysed insect flours, whereas their bulk density, hydration properties, and foaming capacity showed average values and no gelation capacity. Moreover, these edible insect flours exhibited effective hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia properties, which together with their high antioxidant capacity are associated with beneficial in vitro physiological effects. The beetle and caterpillar flours stand out in these properties, and thus were selected to make a cupcake. The sensory evaluation confirmed that the edible beetle powder can be successfully included in baked goods to provide excellent sensory properties and very high acceptance. Thus, these insect flours may be of great interest to the food industry as a healthy source of protein, exerting a positive impact on functional and sensory food properties, and with a potential role in the prevention of diseases associated with hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia.