Structural, physicochemical, and immune-enhancing properties of edible insect protein isolates from Protaetia brevitarsis larvae

• Published in: Food Chemistry: X 2023-06, Vol.18, p.100722-100722, Article 100722
• Main Authors: Lee, Jae Hoon, Kim, Tae-Kyung, Kim, Yun Jeong, Kang, Min-Cheol, Song, Kyung-Mo, Kim, Bum-Keun, Choi, Yun-Sang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Edible insect protein; Immune-enhancing property; Physicochemical properties; Protaetia brevitarsis; Structural property
• ISSN: 2590-1575; 2590-1575
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fochx.2023.100722

•Edible insects are potential alternative protein sources to supplement the supply of food.•Edible insect protein isolates (EPIs) have high essential amino acid content.•EPIs promote nitric oxide production by increasing the expression of iNOS.•EPIs increase the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β).•EPIs enhance immunity by macrophage activation through MAPK and NF-κB pathways. Edible insects are promising future food resources globally. Herein, the structural, physicochemical, and bio-functional properties of edible insect protein isolates (EPIs) extracted from Protaetia brevitarsis larvae were investigated. The results showed that EPIs have a high total essential amino acid content; moreover, β-sheet is the major secondary protein structure. The EPI protein solution was highly soluble and electrically stable and did not aggregate easily. In addition, EPIs exhibited immune-enhancing properties; EPI treatment of macrophages induced the activation of macrophages and consequently promoted the production of pro-inflammatory mediators (NO, TNF-α, and IL-1β). Moreover, macrophage activation of EPIs was confirmed to occur through the MAPK and NF-κB pathways. In conclusion, our results suggest that the isolated P. brevitarsis protein can be fully utilized as a functional food material and alternative protein source in the future food industry.