ARTICLE 52 Alternative Proteins Magazine April 2024 • Inhibition of inflammatory enzymes: Some insect-derived bioactive compounds may inhibit the activity of enzymes involved in the production of inflammatory mediators, such as cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX). By blocking these enzymes, insect meals can suppress the synthesis of pro-inflammatory prostaglandins and leukotrienes. • Gut microbiota modulation: Insect meals may influence the composition and activity of the gut microbiota, which plays a crucial role in immune regulation and inflammation. By promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria and inhibiting pathogenic microbes, insect meals can help maintain intestinal barrier integrity and reduce inflammation in the gut. • Modulation of cytokines: Insect meals may contain bioactive compounds that regulate the production and activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β). By inhibiting the expression of these cytokines, insect meals can attenuate the inflammatory response. T. molitor and Z. morio full-fat meals, as functional feed additives, increased the growth performance of broiler chickens and changed traits of their immune system (Benzertiha et al. 2020), while defatted Z. morio larvae meals can lead to immunomodulation in the gilthead seabream Sparus aurata (Henry et al. 2022). ANTI CANCEROGENIC ACTIVITY Wide range of research aims to prove that different types of edible insects, their exoskeleton, hemolymph, have a negative impact on cancer cell growth. Although the research dealt with human lines of cancer cells it is worth mentioning that insects will have a significant role in the future as a potential novel pharmaceutical. Last 40 years of research mostly shined light on the Hymenoptera species as a source of anti-cancer pharmaceutical, thus testing Apis mellifera, Chalicodoma siculum, and Xylocopa pubescens hemolymph on human liver cancer (HepG2) and human cervical cancer (HeLa) cells, where all hemolymph extracts resulted in inhibition of cell viability against the tested cancer cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Experiments related to the approved edible insect species like house cricket showed that its Chitin and its degraded products such as chitosan have been shown to exert anticancer and antimicrobial properties. ANTI MICROBIAL ACTIVITY Research in this area is ongoing, specifically focusing on the antimicrobial activity of edible insects, some studies have shown promising results. Several factors may contribute to the antimicrobial potential of edible insects: • Chitin: Insects are rich in chitin, a polysaccharide that forms their exoskeleton. Chitin and its derivatives have been studied for their antimicrobial properties, particularly against bacteria and fungi. • Peptides and proteins: Insects produce various peptides and proteins as part of their immune response to pathogens. Some of these peptides have demonstrated antimicrobial activity against a wide range of microorganisms. • Secondary metabolites: Edible insects, like other organisms, produce secondary metabolites that may possess antimicrobial properties. These compounds could be present in various tissues, such as the gut, fat body, or hemolymph. • Microbial composition: The gut microbiota of insects might produce antimicrobial substances that could influence the overall antimicrobial activity of the insect. Research has shown that extracts from certain edible insects exhibit antimicrobial effects against common foodborne pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus. For example, extracts from mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) and crickets (Acheta domesticus) have shown inhibitory effects against these bacteria in laboratory studies. However, it's important to note that the antimicrobial activity of edible insects can vary depending on factors such as species, life stage, diet, and processing methods. Additionally, while laboratory
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