Nutritional Value of Mealworm, Tenebrio molitor as Food Source

Nutrition value of mealworm, Tenebrio molitor was analyzed due to increasing demand of usage as a protein source for domestic animals and even further for human consumption. The purpose of the present work was to determine the chemical compostion of the Tenebrio molitor larvae, adult that were maintained under standard condition for further usage of mass-rearing system and its exuvium, and excreta. Tenebrio molitor, larvae, adult, exuvium and excreta contained 46.44, 63.34, 32.87, and 18.51% protein respectively, suggested that even excreta could be used as an additional supplement in food recycling process. This protein was also rich in amino acids such as Isoleucine, leucine and Lysine which all met the nutritional value recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization. Fatty acid composition was detected with high component of oleic acid (C18:1), along with linoleic acid (C18:2) and palmitic acid (C16) in all adult, larvae, exuvium and excreta. These oleic acid (C18:1), linoleic acid (C18:2) and palmitic acid (C16) components were the same or even highly contained in excreta of mealworm 22.29, 47.19 and 19.17% respectively. Longer chains of unsaturated fatty acids consisted of two to three double bonds are known as healthy product was recognized in large amount. These results show new ways to consume mealworms and its waste for animal and human consumption.