Unravelling the Influence of Extraction Techniques on Protein Yield and Nutritional Value in Lesser Mealworm Larvae.

ABSTRACT: In the present work, chemical and enzymatic assisted techniques were compared for protein extraction from lesser mealworm larvae (LM, Alphitobius diaperinus), recently approved as a novel food in the European Union. All extracts showed appreciable nutritional quality, with quantities of essential amino acids above the reference standard. Conventional alkali extraction allowed the isolation of only 73% of the protein, preserving the amino acid composition but potentially causing denaturation or racemisation. The "stepwise" method, following the Osborne fractionation, improved protein recovery to 91% by isolating four fractions with different solubility properties. Additionally, enzymatic hydrolysis using Bacillus licheniformis proteases was also tested, and it provided hydroly

SUBMITTER: Fuso A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11397012 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature