Abstract:

Regulating effects of edible insects on blood glucose and lipid levels was investigated by feeding mice the high-lipid and high-carbohydrate diet in addition of 3% freeze-dried insect powder. Six edible insect varieties were selected in this experiment including Cryptotympana atrata Fabricius larvae, Clanis bilineata Walker larvae, Tenebrio molito L. larvae, Locusta migratoria Meyer imago, Brachytrupes portentosus Lichtenstein imago and the fifth instar silkworm larvae. Results revealed that the fifth instar silkworm larvae is able to remarkably reduce the levels of fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose, total serum cholesterol and triglycerides in mice. Meanwhile, Locusta migratoria Meyer imago notably lowers fasting blood glucose, while Cryptotympana atrata Fabricius larvae can decrease postprandial blood glucose effectively. All the test insects can reduce the levels of total serum cholesterol and triglycerides in mice at different degrees and among them, Cryptotympana atrata Fabricius larvae and silkworm larvae are the most efficient in regulate total cholesterol, while Brachytrupes portentosus Lichtenstein imago and silkworm larvae contribute more in controlling triglycerides.

Key words: edible insects, mice, blood glucose, blood lipid