The Impact of Drying Methods on the Quality of Blanched Yellow Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) Larvae
Type
Journal article
Language
English
Date issued
2024
Author
Bogusz, Radosław
Bryś, Joanna
Onopiuk, Anna
Pobiega, Katarzyna
Rybak, Katarzyna
Nowacka, Małgorzata
Faculty
Wydział Nauk o Żywności i Żywieniu
Journal
Molecules
ISSN
1420-3049
Web address
Volume
29
Number
15
Pages from-to
art. 3679
Abstract (EN)
The growing world population necessitates the implementation of appropriate processing technologies for edible insects. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of distinct drying techniques, including convective drying at 70 °C (70CD) and 90 °C (90CD) and freeze-drying (FD), on the drying kinetics, physical characteristics (water activity, color), chemical characteristics (chemical composition, amino acid profile, oil properties, total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity, mineral composition, FTIR), and presence of hazards (allergens, microorganisms) of blanched yellow mealworm larvae. The freeze-drying process results in greater lightness and reduced moisture content and water activity. The study demonstrated that the freeze-dried insects exhibited lower contents of protein and essential amino acids as compared to the convective-dried insects. The lowest content of total polyphenols was found in the freeze-dried yellow mealworm larvae; however, the highest antioxidant activity was determined for those insects. Although the oil isolated from the freeze-dried insects exhibited the lowest acid and peroxide values, it proved to have the lowest PUFA content and oxidative stability. All the samples met the microbiological criteria for dried insects. The results of the study demonstrate that a high temperature during the CD method does not result in the anticipated undesirable changes. It appears that freeze-drying is not the optimal method for preserving the nutritional value of insects, particularly with regard to the quality of protein and oil.
License
CC-BY - Attribution
Open access date
August 3, 2024