Study on Anti-Atopic Effects of Edible Insect-Derived Substances
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] The Gyeongsangnam-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services has discovered atopy relief effects in edible insects.
On the 27th, Gyeongnam Agricultural Research and Extension Services announced that it conducted a study with Dong-A University in which hydrolyzed substances from the larvae of the edible insect brown mealworm were administered to experimental mice induced with atopy for three weeks.
According to the provincial agricultural research institute, the study results showed a clear atopy relief effect comparable to that of prednisolone, a commercially available atopic dermatitis treatment.
Brown mealworm larvae, also called ‘mealworm,’ have mainly been raised as feed for companion animals, but due to their high protein and fat content, they are gaining attention as a future food resource.
They have been recognized as general food ingredients by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and the Rural Development Administration and are sold on the market under the product name ‘Gosoae.’
Based on the results of this study conducted with support from the Rural Development Administration’s regional specialized crop technology development project, the institute published a paper titled “Preclinical Results on the Atopy Relief Effects of Brown Mealworm Larvae Extract.”
This paper was indexed in the SCIE (Science Citation Index Expanded) international journal ‘Nutrients (IF 6.708).’
The research team plans to conduct further studies to identify the active ingredients responsible for the atopy relief effects based on the results of this paper.
Dr. Bae Seongmun, head of the Useful Insect Research Institute and the principal investigator, said, “Currently, edible insects are attracting attention as an alternative protein resource replacing conventional meat, and various biofunctional materials are being developed from edible insects to promote consumption.”
He added, “Based on the research results, we hope that brown mealworm larvae will be used for more diverse purposes, including general foods, MEDI-Food, senior-friendly foods, and prescription foods for companion animals.”
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