Microbial dynamics and vertical transmission of Escherichia coli across consecutive life stages of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens).

Background: The black soldier fly (BSF, Hermetia illucens L.) is one of the most promising insects for bioconversion of organic waste, which often carry a high microbial load with potential foodborne pathogens. Although horizontal transmission (from rearing substrate to larvae) has been extensively studied, less is known about vertical transmission of microorganisms, and particularly of foodborne pathogens, across different BSF life stages.

In-depth biological characterization of two black soldier fly anti- peptides reveals LPS-binding and immunomodulating effects.

As effector molecules of the innate immune system, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have gathered substantial interest as a potential future generation of antibiotics. Here, we demonstrate the anti- activity and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding ability of HC1 and HC10, two cecropin peptides from the black soldier fly (). Both peptides are active against a wide range of strains, including drug-resistant clinical isolates.

Effect of heat treatment on microbiological safety of supermarket food waste as substrate for black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens).

Supermarket food waste, constituting 13% of global food waste, can be upcycled as substrate for black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) and converted into larval biomass. Since presence of food pathogens in supermarket food waste is likely, microbiological safety should be ensured when using waste as insect substrate. Heat treatment provides a suitable pre-treatment to reduce microbiological contaminations.

A Production and Fractionation Protocol for Polyvinyl Chloride Microplastics.

Concerns about the presence of microplastics in the environment has increased in recent years, prompting more attention from scientists. Thorough exposure studies using artificially produced microplastics containing additives are required to assess their potentially hazardous effects. Therefore, an efficient microplastic production and fractionation protocol was established using a cryogenic grinding and wet-sieving approach.

Optimizing the Rheological and Textural Properties of Chapatti Enriched with House Crickets () Flour Using Hydrocolloids by an I-Optimal Design.

The fortification of food with edible insect flour can improve its nutrition profile, but also affect its techno-functional characteristics. In this study, an I-optimal design was applied to improve the rheological and textural properties of wheat flour chapatti containing 10% cricket () flour. More specifically, the impact and optimal addition of hydrocolloids (carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, guar gum and xanthan gum) and water content were studied.

A simple, rapid and accurate method for the sample preparation and quantification of meso- and microplastics in food and food waste streams.

Plastics are produced and used in large quantities worldwide (e.g. as food packaging).

Rheological Characterization of Chapatti (Roti) Enriched with Flour or Paste of House Crickets ().

Addition of edible insects to food products may improve the nutritional status but can also influence their techno-functional properties. This study investigates the impact of supplementing wheat flour by cricket flour or paste at different levels (5-15%) on the rheological and textural properties of flour, dough, and baked chapatti. Addition of freeze-dried cricket flour resulted in the highest water absorption.

On the nitrogen content and a robust nitrogen-to-protein conversion factor of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens).

Currently, a broad discussion exists in the literature regarding insect protein analysis. At its core, main difficulties and uncertainties are the inconsistent use of analysis methods and nitrogen-to-protein conversion (k) factors. While the Kjeldahl and Dumas methods are both used in the literature, their result represents inherently different nitrogen fractions.

Enhancing the specificity of chitin determinations through glucosamine analysis via ultra-performance LC-MS.

As chitin is gaining an increased attention as feedstock for industry, quantification thereof is becoming increasingly important. While gravimetric procedures are long, not specific and highly labour-intensive, acidic hydrolysis of chitin into glucosamine followed by quantification of the latter is more performant. Even though several quantification procedures for the determination of chitin can be found in the literature, they give inconsistent results and their accuracy was not assessed due to the lack of certified analytical standards.

Protein films from black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens, Diptera: Stratiomyidae) prepupae: effect of protein solubility and mild crosslinking.

Background: This work evaluated the performances of protein-based bioplastics obtained from black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) prepupae. Protein films were synthesized by film casting, using both the whole proteins and their soluble fraction at pH = 10. The effects of glycerol as a plasticizer and of citric acid as a mild crosslinker on film properties were also evaluated.

Affordable Processing of Edible Orthopterans Provides a Highly Nutritive Source of Food Ingredients.

Edible orthopterans (grasshoppers, crickets, and locusts) are major delicacies, especially across sub-Saharan Africa. Their promotion as food ingredients is increasingly gaining momentum. This study evaluates the nutritional profiles of three widely consumed orthopterans: , , and after blanching and oven-drying.

Effect of heat processing on the nutrient composition, colour, and volatile odour compounds of the long-horned grasshopper Ruspolia differens serville.

Heat processing is commonly used to prepare edible insects for consumption. This study aimed at determining the effect of boiling and subsequent oven roasting on Ruspolia differens' nutrient composition, colour and odor compounds. Boiling leads to: a significant increase in protein and decrease in fat content on a dry matter basis; a minimal influence on its amino and fatty acids profile; a significant reduction in its ash content due to leaching of phosphorus, potassium and sodium; a significant increase in iron, zinc, copper, manganese and calcium content; and a fivefold reduction in the amount of vitamin B12.

Comparison of Six Commercial Meat Starter Cultures for the Fermentation of Yellow Mealworm () Paste.

In this study, six commercial meat starters, each consisting of a pure strain of a lactic acid-fermenting bacterium (including , , , and ), were tested for their ability to ferment a paste produced from the yellow mealworm (). During fermentation, microbial counts, pH, and the bacterial community composition were determined. In addition, UPLC-MS was applied to monitor the consumption of glucose and the production of glutamic (Glu) and aspartic (Asp) acid.

Nutrient composition of the long-horned grasshopper Ruspolia differens Serville: Effect of swarming season and sourcing geographical area.

This research investigates the effect of swarming season and sourcing geographical area on the nutrient composition of R. differens. On a dry matter basis, protein (34.

Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry for multi-residue screening of pesticides, (veterinary) drugs and mycotoxins in edible insects.

A generic extraction and UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap™-HRMS method was developed for four insect species (mealworm, grasshopper, house cricket and black soldier fly) analyzing a large spectrum of organic chemical contaminants, including pesticides (n = 25), (veterinary) drugs (n = 29), and mycotoxins (n = 23). To prove the method as 'fit-for-purpose', a successful validation was performed, both qualitatively, by determining the screening detection limit (SDL), selectivity and specificity, as well as semi-quantitatively, by assessing the within-day precision (relative standard deviation (RSD)) and recovery. For both the mealworm, grasshopper, house cricket and black soldier fly, 64, 61, 59 and 62 compounds were detected at the respective SDL levels (1-100 μg kg), predominantly below existing maximum residue limits for other edible matrices.

Influence of Freeze-Drying and Oven-Drying Post Blanching on the Nutrient Composition of the Edible Insect Ruspolia differens.

The longhorn grasshopper, (Serville), plays an important role as a food source across Sub-Saharan Africa, where it is consumed as a delicacy in both rural and urban areas. The effect of two drying methods (freeze-drying and oven-drying), employed after blanching, on the proximate, fatty acid and mineral composition of the two most common morphs was determined. grasshoppers were harvested in Uganda and Kenya from wild swarms during the rainy periods of November-December 2016.