Evaluation of biological activity and amino acid profile of protein from Thai edible insects

Insects are one of the sources of protein for future foods. In some cultures, insects have been used as a component of traditional medicine. Moreover, some proteins from insects have also shown biological activities related to human health, such as non-communication disease treatment. In this study, the protein content, amino acid profile, and inhibitory activity against a-glucosidase, a-amylase, acetylcholinesterase, and tyrosinase of soluble protein from six species of Thai edible insects were investigated. The protein from six Thai edible insects, including Gryllus bimaculatus De Geer (Sample 1), Omphisa fuscidentalis (Sample 2), Bombyx mori L. (Sample 3), Brachytrupes portentosus (Lichtenstein 1796) (Sample 4), Acheta domesticus L. (Sample 5), and Patanga succincta (Linnaeus) (Sample 6), was extracted and evaluated for its content and biological activity. The results indicated that sample 1 yielded the highest protein content of 84.23±5.15 g/100 g which is more than the protein content of meat and dairy products. A total of eight essential amino acid contents (EAA) were found in all six edible Thai insects. The highest total EAA was obtained from Sample 2 with 37.21±1.82 g/100 g, higher than the criteria established by FAO/WHO/UNU.1985. Sample 3 yielded the highest inhibition percentage of soluble protein from edible insects against α-glucosidase. The same was true for Sample 4 for α-amylase, Sample 1 for acetylcholinesterase, and Sample 2 for tyrosinase. These results indicated the quality and functional properties of protein from six species of Thai edible insects, which may be helpful in their future exploration and application