ARTICLE Alternative Proteins Magazine April 2024 53 studies provide valuable insights, more research is needed to understand how these findings translate to real-world applications, such as food preservation or medical uses. Overall, while there is evidence to suggest that edible insects may possess antimicrobial properties, further research is necessary to fully understand the mechanisms involved and to explore their potential applications in various fields, including food science, medicine, and agriculture. Hermetia llucens is a species which is often highlighted as a species whose body and feces are rich in antimicrobial peptides, new molecules with great potential in pharmaceutical and biomedical fields. This species is especially standing out in this field as the progressive misuse of antibiotics has unfortunately favored the selection and spread of resistant populations of bacterial agents. The development of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains and the reduced availability of effective antibiotics, a need to identify new molecules in which insect species have their spotlight, to be used for the development of alternative therapies. Recent studies have also highlighted the potential antimicrobial activity of some H. illucens AMPs against Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. CONCLUSION The exploration of the medicinal properties of edible insects reveals a promising avenue for both food science and healthcare. Delving deep into their potential as sources of anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial compounds unveils a wealth of bioactive molecules within these often looked as an exclusive, alternative protein food source. However, while the initial findings are promising, further research is necessary to fully elucidate the mechanisms of action, optimize extraction methods, and assess the safety and efficacy of these compounds for animal and human use. Additionally, considerations such as species variability, life stage, diet, and processing methods must be taken into account to harness the full therapeutic potential of edible insects. References 1. Aguilar-Toalá, E., Cruz-Monterrosa, G., Liceaga, A. (2022): Beyond Human Nutrition of Edible 2. Insects: Health Benefits and Safety Aspects. Insects. 13, 1007. https://doi.org/10.3390/ 3. Insects13111007 4. Di Mattia, C., Battista, N. Sacchetti, G., Serafini, M. (2019): Antioxidant Activities in vitro of 5. Water and Liposoluble Extracts Obtained by Different Species of Edible Insects and Invertebrates. Frontiers in Nutrition. 6, 106. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2019.00106 6. Flores, D., Casados, L., Velasco, S., Ramirez, A., Velázquez, G. (2020): Comparative study of composition,antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of two adult edible insects from Tenebrionidae family. BMC Chemistry. 14:55. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13065-020-00707-0 7. Elfar, S. Bahgat, I., Shebl, M., Lihoreau, M., Tawfik, M. (2023): Variation in hemolymph content and properties among three Mediterranean bee species. https://doi. org/10.1101/2023.12.22.573070 8. Nowakowski, A., Miller, A., Miller, E., Xiao, H., Wi, X. (2020): Potential health benefits of edible insects. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition. 3499-3508. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2020.1867053 9. Ringseis, R., Peter, L. Gessner, D., Meyer, S., Most, E. Eder, K. (2021): Effect of Tenebrio molitor larvae meal on the antioxidant status and stress response pathways in tissues of growing pigs. Archives of animal nutrition.75, 237250. https://doi.org/10.1080/1745039X.2021.1950106 10. Scieuzo, C., Giglio, F. Rinaldi, R., Lekka, M., Cozzolino, F., Monaco, V., Monti, M., Salvia, R., Falabella, P. (2023): In Vitro Evaluation of the Antibacterial Activity of the PeptideFractions Extracted from the Hemolymph of Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae). Insects. 14, 464. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14050464.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUxNjkxNQ==