Comparative Analysis of Functional Compounds of Bombyx mori Varieties at Different Developmental Stages

Bombyx mori (silkworm) has long been utilized for silk production, but its rich composition of proteins, fatty acids, and diverse secondary metabolites has recently attracted attention as a potential edible and functional material.This study quantitatively evaluated the variation patterns of phenolic acids, flavonoids, carotenoids, and chlorophylls in two domestically bred silkworm strains, Daehwangjam and Dodam, at days one, three, and seven of the fifth instar using high-performance liquid chromatography, and compared strain-and developmental stage-dependent differences.An analysis of silkworms and their primary diet, mulberry leaves, showed that phenolic acids and flavonoids reached their highest levels at day three in both strains.Dodam exhibited relatively higher levels of rutin and isoquercitrin, whereas Daehwangjam showed a higher carotenoid content.Chlorophyll was detected only transiently at day three and declined markedly by day seven.These findings suggest that dietary compounds derived from mulberry leaves are not simply accumulated but are dynamically regulated through processes of absorption, transformation, and utilization in accordance with the developmental stage.Overall, the silkworm strain and the developmental stage were identified as key factors influencing the observed patterns of functional compounds.This study provides a basis for selecting silkworm strains and optimizing rearing conditions to enhance bioactive compound levels for applications in functional foods and nutraceuticals.