Sub-chronic toxicity determination of powdered Tenebrio molitor larvae as a novel food source

Tenebrio molitor larvae are the first insect species to be given a favorable assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) as a novel food source, enabling consumption of whole insect larvae or larvae that have been powdered and processed into a variety of food products. Pressure from economic hardships and increase in population growth have paved a way for the realization of an alternative food source in Zimbabwe. This study focused on determining the potential toxicity of Tenebrio molitor larvae powder as an alternative food source for humans. To determine the sub-chronic toxicity of Tenebrio molitor, the powder was administered daily by oral gavage to Sprague-Dawley rats at dose levels of 0, 300, 1000 and 3000 mg/kg for 70 days. A toxicological assessment which included mortality, appearance of clinical symptoms, food consumption, organ and body weight changes were performed. There were no treatment-related mortalities, clinical signs, changes in food consumption, body and organ weights observed during the treatment period. The study's findings suggest Tenebrio molitor larvae to be a good alternative as it did not appear to affect the rats' normal physiological and metabolic processes hence can be considered safe for human consumption. However, further studies on hematological, histological and biochemical markers may be necessary for confirmation of these current results.