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Solvent-Dependent Biological Activities of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts From Edible Insect Larvae
Min-Cheol Kang1, Seung Tae Im1, Tae-Kyung Kim1
1Research Group of Food Processing Korea Food Research Institute Wanju Republic of Korea.
Food Science & Nutrition
|May 6, 2026
Summary
Edible insect extracts show varied biological activities based on the solvent used for extraction. Different insect species and extraction methods yield unique antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic properties for sustainable food ingredients.
Area of Science:
- Food Science
- Biotechnology
- Sustainable Agriculture
Background:
- Growing demand for sustainable protein sources.
- Edible insects are recognized as potential multifunctional food ingredients.
- Solvent extraction methods can influence the bioactivity of natural products.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of solvent-dependent extraction on the biological activities of edible insect larval extracts.
- To evaluate and compare the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, ACE inhibitory, and anti-adipogenic potentials of aqueous and ethanolic extracts from three insect species.
- To determine the solvent-dependent functional activity profiles of edible insect larval extracts.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of aqueous and ethanolic extracts from larvae of Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis (PBS), Tenebrio molitor (TM), and Allomyrina dichotoma (AD).
- In vitro evaluation of antioxidant activity using HepG2 hepatocytes and human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells.
- Assessment of anti-inflammatory effects by measuring nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages.
- Evaluation of anti-allergic potential by measuring β-hexosaminidase release in mast cells.
- Measurement of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity.
- Assessment of lipid accumulation reduction in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.
Main Results:
- Aqueous extracts of AD and PBS demonstrated significant antioxidant activity.
- Most extracts exhibited anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing nitric oxide production.
- All larval extracts showed anti-allergic potential by inhibiting β-hexosaminidase release.
- Protein-rich extracts displayed stronger ACE inhibitory activity.
- Polyphenol-rich ethanolic extracts were more effective in reducing lipid accumulation in adipocytes.
Conclusions:
- Solvent choice significantly influences the biological activity profile of edible insect larval extracts.
- Different insect species yield extracts with distinct functional properties.
- Edible insect extracts possess diverse bioactive potentials, supporting their use as sustainable ingredients.
- Findings highlight the importance of optimizing extraction methods to harness specific bioactivities from edible insects.
Keywords:
Allomyrina dichotomaProtaetia brevitarsis seulensisTenebrio molitoredible insect larvaemultifunctional food resourcesolvent‐dependent extraction
