The impact of polystyrene consumption by edible insects Tenebrio molitor and Zophobas morio on their nutritional value, cytotoxicity, and oxidative stress parameters. (30th May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zielińska, Ewelina; Zieliński, Damian; Jakubczyk, Anna; Karaś, Monika; Pankiewicz, Urszula; Flasz, Barbara; Dziewięcka, Marta; Lewicki, Sławomir
• Is Part Of: Food chemistry. Volume 345(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-05-30
• Subjects: Edible insects -- Mealworms -- Superworms -- Styrofoam utilization -- Polystyrene utilization -- Cytotoxicity; Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food -- Composition -- Periodicals; 664
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.128846
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0308-8146

Abstract

Highlights: There were no influence on the nutritional value of superworms fed on Stryrofoam. Mealworms fed with Styrofoam were determined to have a higher protein content. Eating Styrofoam by insects did not cause their cytotoxic properties. Styrofoam has no influence on the health status of gut cells in examined insects. Men would be more willing to eat insects fed on polystyrene than women. Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine of nutritional value, in vitro cytotoxicity, and oxidative stress parameters in cells of selected insect species ( Tenebrio molitor and Zophobas morio ) after 30 days of Styrofoam consumption. Furthermore, part of our research is also a consumer survey on the willingness to eat insects fed with Styrofoam (EPS 80). Mealworms fed with Styrofoam were determined to have higher protein (48.66 ± 0.92%) and ash content (4.81 ± 0.22%) with reduced fat (24.05 ± 0.55%) and carbohydrate content (2.95 ± 0.15%) than insects with a conventional diet (48.66 ± 0.92, 2.82 ± 0.12, 43.74 ± 0.77, and 4.78 ± 0.18, respectively) while in the case of superworms, no significant difference in nutrient composition was observed. Moreover, Styrofoam has no influence on the health status of gut cells in examined insects. Additionally, in studied concentrations of insects extracts standardized for protein replacement of the traditional insect diet with polystyrene foam did not increase the cytotoxic properties.