Toxicological Research

Korean Society of Toxicology & Korea Environmental Mutagen Society (한국독성학회)
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Evaluation of Genotoxicity and 28-day Oral Dose Toxicity on Freeze-dried Powder of Tenebrio molitor Larvae (Yellow Mealworm)

  • Han, So-Ri (Research Center for General and Applied Toxicology, Korea Institute Toxicology (KIT)) ;
  • Yun, Eun-Young (Department of Agricultural Biology, Applied Entomology Division, National Academy of Agricultural Science) ;
  • Kim, Ji-Young (Research Center for General and Applied Toxicology, Korea Institute Toxicology (KIT)) ;
  • Hwang, Jae Sam (Department of Agricultural Biology, Applied Entomology Division, National Academy of Agricultural Science) ;
  • Jeong, Eun Ju (Research Center for General and Applied Toxicology, Korea Institute Toxicology (KIT)) ;
  • Moon, Kyoung-Sik (Research Center for General and Applied Toxicology, Korea Institute Toxicology (KIT))
  • Received : 2014.06.23
  • Accepted : 2014.06.27
  • Published : 2014.06.30
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Abstract

The larval form of Tenebrio molitor (T. molitor) has been eaten in many countries and provides benefits as a new food source of protein for humans. However, no information exists regarding its safety for humans. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the genotoxicity and repeated dose oral toxicity of the freeze-dried powder of T. molitor larvae. The genotoxic potential was evaluated by a standard battery testing: bacterial reverse mutation test, in vitro chromosome aberration test, and in vivo micronucleus test. To assess the repeated dose toxicity, the powder was administered once daily by oral gavage to Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at dose levels of 0, 300, 1000 and 3000 mg/kg/day for 28 days. The parameters which were applied to the study were mortality, clinical signs, body and organ weights, food consumption, ophthalmology, urinalysis, hematology, serum chemistry, gross findings and histopathologic examination. The freezedried powder of T. molitor larvae was not mutagenic or clastogenic based on results of in vitro and in vivo genotoxicity assays. Furthermore, no treatment-related changes or findings were observed in any parameters in rats after 28 days oral administration. In conclusion, the freeze-dried powder of T. molitor larvae was considered to be non-genotoxic and the NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) was determined to be 3000 mg/kg/day in both sexes of SD rats under our experimental conditions.

Keywords

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