Enhancing the Nutritional Profile of <i>Tenebrio molitor</i> Using the Leaves of <i>Moringa oleifera</i>

Nowadays, more and more research is being carried out on various feeds of <i>Tenebrio molitor</i> larvae, in order to increase their nutritional value and render them a valuable component of the human diet. In this study, <i>Moringa oleifera</i> leaves were used in different...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Konstantina Kotsou, Theodoros Chatzimitakos, Vassilis Athanasiadis, Eleni Bozinou, Christos I. Rumbos, Christos G. Athanassiou, Stavros I. Lalas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-07-01
Series:Foods
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/12/13/2612
Description
Summary:Nowadays, more and more research is being carried out on various feeds of <i>Tenebrio molitor</i> larvae, in order to increase their nutritional value and render them a valuable component of the human diet. In this study, <i>Moringa oleifera</i> leaves were used in different proportions (up to 50%) to substitute wheat bran (the usually employed feed), in order to evaluate their effect on the growth and development of the larvae, as well as on their composition in crude protein, fat and fatty acids, ash, vitamins, and antioxidants. It was found that the addition of <i>M. oleifera</i> leaves in the feed had no negative impact on the development and survival of the insects, while an increase in their nutritional value was recorded. More specifically, an increase in the crude protein of up to 22.61% and vitamin C and A contents of up to 40.74% and 491.63%, respectively, was recorded. Therefore, the use of <i>M. oleifera</i> leaves as a feed additive is highly recommended for rearing <i>T. molitor</i> larvae to enhance the nutritional value of the insects.
ISSN:2304-8158