Researchers are exploring solutions to meet the growing demand for protein due to the expected increase in global population by 2050. Interest in alternative protein sources like insects has risen, driven by concerns about environmental impact and the need for sustainable food production. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the physicochemical properties of soy-protein-based burgers enriched with insect protein from Alphitobius diaperinus. Three formulations were developed: a control (B0) and burgers with 5% (B5) and 10% (B10) insect protein-Whole Buffalo Powder (WBP). The results showed that adding insect protein decreased the burger analogue\'s pH. A clear trend was observed of increasing total lipids and saturated fatty acids (SFA) and decreasing monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) as the WBP concentration increased from 0% to 10%. No significant differences with increasing WBP concentration in the protein content of the burger analogue, as well as the cooking yield, were noted. The WBP addition had a notable effect on the color change, especially a decrease in brightness (L*). It was shown that as the WBP concentration increased, there were no significant differences in the texture profile of the burger analogues. The formulation with 5% WBP concentration was the most acceptable in sensory analysis.

This study analyzes the nutritional properties of edible insects, specifically Tenebrio molitor and Alphitobius diaperinus, and explores the potential of 3D printing technology to introduce a nutritious and tasty alternative to essential nutrients for Western consumers. An original formulation for the printing of snacks with microalgae was adapted to incorporate edible insects. Concentrations of 10% of edible insects, both isolated and mixed, were incorporated into the developed ink-doughs. Stress and frequency sweeps were performed on the doughs to understand the rheology and the impact on the internal structure to better adapt these materials to the 3D printing process. The nutritional profile of the developed snacks was assessed, revealing a significant amount of protein, enough to claim the snacks as a \"source of protein\", as well as an increased mineral profile, when compared to the control snack. The antioxidant profile and total phenolic content were equally assessed. Finally, a sensory analysis test was performed, comparing the control snack to three other samples containing 10% T. molitor, 10% A. diaperinus and 5% + 5% of T. molitor and A. diaperinus, respectively, resulting in a preference for the A. diaperinus and for the combination of the two insects. Considered as a \"novel food\", foods incorporating edible insects represent, in fact, the reintroduction of foods used in the West before the Middle Ages, when the Judeo-Christian tradition began to consider insects as not kosher. Educating consumers about the transition to novel foods can be helped by 3D printing food, as an innovative process that can be used to design creative rich animal protein snacks that make final products more appealing and acceptable to consumers.

In the present study, we explored the effects of displacement directionality in mating behavior (i.e., lateralized and non-lateralized movements) on mating success (i.e., copulation occurs) and efficiency (i.e., time length at which copulation is achieved), and its association with sex and sexual experience in A. diaperinus. To do so, we carried out mating experiments and recorded the behavior of the mating pair during the whole mating sequence (i.e., precopulatory and copulatory phases). During the precopulatory phase, independently of sex and sexual experience, all beetles performed non-lateralized (i.e., backside or frontside) approaches; however, only sexually experienced beetles showed lateralized approaches (i.e., right-side and left-side). Notably, experienced males exhibited greater mating success than virgin males. After the approach, both virgin and experienced males displayed lateralized and non-lateralized mounts on the females with distinct mating success. Regardless of their sexual experience, 100% of successful mating attempts were achieved when males mounted from the females\' right side. Furthermore, the development of lateralized approaches and mounts reduces the time of mating sequence span compared with non-lateralized behaviors. We highlight the importance of lateralization in mating behavior and sexual experience to achieve higher mating success, addressing a potential learning ability of beetles based on experience.

Use of edible insects as an alternative source of proteins in food and feed is increasing. These last years, numerous companies in Europe have started producing insects for food and feed purposes. In the European Union, the use of edible insects for human consumption falls within Regulation (EU) No. 2015/2283 on novel foods. For feed, Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/893 authorizes seven insect species as processed animal proteins for aquaculture. Methods of authentication are required to check the conformity of the products. In this study, we propose a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for the specific detection of the lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus), one of the species included in the shortlist of authorized insects. The selected target is the cadherin gene with a single-copy (per haploid genome) illustrated by our experimental evidence. The PCR test amplified a 134-bp fragment of the cadherin gene. The qualitative method was assessed toward several performance criteria. Specificity was checked against 54 insect species next to other animal and plant species. The sensitivity, efficiency, robustness, and transferability of the PCR assay were also successfully tested. Finally, the applicability of the test was assessed on real-life processed samples (industrial meals) of A. diaperinus. The study also showed that there seems to be a huge confusion on the correct labeling of the marketed mealworms. We did not succeed to get Alphitobius laevigatus samples. They all appeared to belong to the A. diaperinus taxon.

The poultry pathogen Histomonas meleagridis is transmitted by chicken cecal worms (Heterakis gallinarum) and is potentially transmitted by second order insect vectors and paratenic hosts. Darkling beetles (Alphitobius diaperinus) are poultry farm pests that infest barns. An outstanding question is the degree to which darkling beetles transmit both Heterakis and Histomonas. In this study we monitored populations of darkling beetles and assessed their positivity for both Heterakis and Histomonas by PCR. Uniquely, this study was conducted during the scheduled deconstruction of Auburn University\'s Poultry Research Farm. Therefore, we were able to monitor beetle and litter infection status months and years after bird depopulation. The duration of our monitoring continued through three seasons. We show that environmental DNA from both Heterakis and Histomonas persist in the environment long after prior infections, even in the absence of living Heterakis and its hosts. Finally, in an intensive search for live Heterakis, we discovered reniform nematodes (plant parasitic nematodes) residing in the soil floor of poultry farms.

We have determined the second mitochondrial genome of Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer, 1797 collected in Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea. The circular mitogenome of A. diaperinus is 15,512 bp long which is slightly longer than that of the previous mitogenome of A. diaperinus. It includes 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and 22 transfer RNAs. The base composition was AT-biased (72.4%). Intraspecific variation between two mitogenome of A. diaperinus was investigated: one SNP and one INDEL were identified, presenting the low level of intraspecific variations on mitochondrial genome.

Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer, 1797 is a major pest in poultry production and easily observed in poultry litter. We have determined mitochondrial genome of A. diaperinus collected in Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea. The circular mitogenome of A. diaperinus is 15,511 bp long which is longer than that of Z. atratus but shorter than that of T. obscurus. It includes 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and 22 transfer RNAs. The base composition was AT-biased (72.4%). Phylogenetic tree displays that tribe Alphitobiini is clustered with tribes Helopini and Diaperini with enough supportive values of three phylogenetic trees.

The lesser mealworms (Alphitobius diaperinus) constitute a common cosmopolitan pest in poultry flocks and may colonize the litter in adult and larval forms. Previous studies have documented their potential as carriers of enteric pathogens. In this context, S. enterica constitutes a prioritized zoonotic agent in the poultry industry due to the sanitary risks and economic losses associated with its presence. The aim of this study is to describe the presence of S. enterica strains in larval and adult forms of A. diaperinus collected from poultry litter belonging to industrial farms located in the central zone of Chile. A total of 403 specimens (203 adults and 200 larvae) were sampled from three farms and 25 flocks. For bacteriological isolation, beetles were processed to differentiate external and internal contamination. Then, isolates were serotyped according to the Kauffman-White scheme and antimicrobial resistance phenotypes were determined using the disk diffusion method. Gene sequences from the megaplasmid pESI were identified through a PCR based test. These procedures led to the detection of 15 S. enterica isolates, belonging to serotypes Infantis (14) and Livingstone (1), from both adults (6) and larval (9) specimens, with a similar external (7) and internal (8) distribution. Furthermore, all S. Infantis isolates showed antimicrobial resistance and evidence of megaplasmid pESI carriage, with all possessing multidrug-resistant phenotypes. Our results confirm that A. diaperinus constitutes a potential reservoir of zoonotic Salmonella strains of sanitary and economic concern for the industry and for public health.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of starch granules enriched with carvacrol and mixed with straw pellets (as poultry litter) on the mortality of larvae and adults of the lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer, a cosmopolitan pest inhabiting chicken houses in vast numbers worldwide. Additionally, the effect of starch granules on the growth parameters and survival of broiler chickens exposed to treated litter was examined. In this study, granules containing 3, 5, and 10% carvacrol was used. In a simulated chicken house bioassay, this material was mixed with pellets in three different proportions: 30/70%, 40/60%, and 50/50% (granules/pellets, respectively). On this medium, young larvae (approximately 10 days old), older larvae (last stage before pupa), and unsexed 7-10 days old adults of the lesser mealworm, with access to food, were colonized. Experiments were performed at 29°C in the dark. The study shows that poultry litter with the addition of starch granules enriched with 10% of carvacrol in the proportion of 40:60% (granules:pellets) appears to be the optimal medium applicable to broiler houses for A. diaperinus control. In this environment, all larvae and adults died within 3-4 days and the overall development of the experimental chickens was similar to that of the control. However, the feed conversion rate was slightly higher in the treated group (1.72) than in the control group (1.56). The average final body weight in the treated group was 100 g lower than that in the control group (the differences were not statistically significant).

Darkling beetle homogenates (DBH) were prepared from beetles collected from seven premises (farms). DBH were shown to contain myriad infectious organisms including bacteria (e.g., Salmonella), viruses (e.g., reovirus), and Eimeria (the causative agents of intestinal coccidiosis). The present study establishes the fact that darkling beetles serve as vectors for common avian pathogens. Darkling beetles must be considered on a list of other vectors known to transmit common poultry pathogens. The risk posed by beetles with respect to dissemination of diseases is of immense importance to the poultry industry. The possibility of severe adverse economic impact as a result of these diseases should not be overlooked or casually dismissed.