The Nutritional Quality of Commercially Bred Yellow Mealworm (<i>Tenebrio molitor</i>) Compared to European Union Nutrition Claims

Due to its potential as a sustainable protein source, the industrial relevance of <i>Tenebrio molitor</i>, known as yellow mealworm, is set to increase substantially. Given the novelty of its application in the food industry, knowledge is lacking regarding the nutritional quality of comm...

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Main Authors: Isabelle Noyens, Meggie Van Peer, Sarah Goossens, Carmen Ter Heide, Sabine Van Miert
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Insects
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/10/769
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author Isabelle Noyens
Meggie Van Peer
Sarah Goossens
Carmen Ter Heide
Sabine Van Miert
author_facet Isabelle Noyens
Meggie Van Peer
Sarah Goossens
Carmen Ter Heide
Sabine Van Miert
author_sort Isabelle Noyens
collection DOAJ
description Due to its potential as a sustainable protein source, the industrial relevance of <i>Tenebrio molitor</i>, known as yellow mealworm, is set to increase substantially. Given the novelty of its application in the food industry, knowledge is lacking regarding the nutritional quality of commercially farmed mealworms. This study investigated the nutritional composition of larvae from four different rearing facilities in Belgium and specifically investigated whether their nutritional profiles adhered to defined European nutrition claims (Regulation (EC) No. 1924/2006). In particular, the European nutrition claims “high in protein”, “high unsaturated fat”, “high in fibre” and “rich in P, Mg, K, Zn and Mn” were applicable for all mealworm samples on a dry matter basis. On a fresh matter basis, yellow mealworms were found to be “high in protein”, “high unsaturated fat” and “low in sugar”.
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series Insects
spelling doaj-art-b5861b7732af4bf3b8acff33326388092025-08-20T02:11:13ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502024-10-01151076910.3390/insects15100769The Nutritional Quality of Commercially Bred Yellow Mealworm (<i>Tenebrio molitor</i>) Compared to European Union Nutrition ClaimsIsabelle Noyens0Meggie Van Peer1Sarah Goossens2Carmen Ter Heide3Sabine Van Miert4Centre of Expertise Sustainable Biomass and Chemistry, Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, Kleinhoefstraat 4, 2240 Geel, BelgiumCentre of Expertise Sustainable Biomass and Chemistry, Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, Kleinhoefstraat 4, 2240 Geel, BelgiumCentre of Expertise Sustainable Biomass and Chemistry, Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, Kleinhoefstraat 4, 2240 Geel, BelgiumCentre of Expertise Sustainable Biomass and Chemistry, Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, Kleinhoefstraat 4, 2240 Geel, BelgiumCentre of Expertise Sustainable Biomass and Chemistry, Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, Kleinhoefstraat 4, 2240 Geel, BelgiumDue to its potential as a sustainable protein source, the industrial relevance of <i>Tenebrio molitor</i>, known as yellow mealworm, is set to increase substantially. Given the novelty of its application in the food industry, knowledge is lacking regarding the nutritional quality of commercially farmed mealworms. This study investigated the nutritional composition of larvae from four different rearing facilities in Belgium and specifically investigated whether their nutritional profiles adhered to defined European nutrition claims (Regulation (EC) No. 1924/2006). In particular, the European nutrition claims “high in protein”, “high unsaturated fat”, “high in fibre” and “rich in P, Mg, K, Zn and Mn” were applicable for all mealworm samples on a dry matter basis. On a fresh matter basis, yellow mealworms were found to be “high in protein”, “high unsaturated fat” and “low in sugar”.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/10/769yellow mealwormcommercial insect productionproteinfatnutritional profilenovel food
spellingShingle Isabelle Noyens
Meggie Van Peer
Sarah Goossens
Carmen Ter Heide
Sabine Van Miert
The Nutritional Quality of Commercially Bred Yellow Mealworm (<i>Tenebrio molitor</i>) Compared to European Union Nutrition Claims
Insects
yellow mealworm
commercial insect production
protein
fat
nutritional profile
novel food
title The Nutritional Quality of Commercially Bred Yellow Mealworm (<i>Tenebrio molitor</i>) Compared to European Union Nutrition Claims
title_full The Nutritional Quality of Commercially Bred Yellow Mealworm (<i>Tenebrio molitor</i>) Compared to European Union Nutrition Claims
title_fullStr The Nutritional Quality of Commercially Bred Yellow Mealworm (<i>Tenebrio molitor</i>) Compared to European Union Nutrition Claims
title_full_unstemmed The Nutritional Quality of Commercially Bred Yellow Mealworm (<i>Tenebrio molitor</i>) Compared to European Union Nutrition Claims
title_short The Nutritional Quality of Commercially Bred Yellow Mealworm (<i>Tenebrio molitor</i>) Compared to European Union Nutrition Claims
title_sort nutritional quality of commercially bred yellow mealworm i tenebrio molitor i compared to european union nutrition claims
topic yellow mealworm
commercial insect production
protein
fat
nutritional profile
novel food
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/10/769
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