Bioaccessibility and antioxidant activity of edible-insect protein digests from Tenebrio molitor and Zophobas atratus in an in vitro digestion model
Jae Hoon Lee, Yea‐Ji Kim, Min‐Cheol Kang, Min Kyung Park, Yun‐Sang Choi
Abstract
With the increasing global demand for sustainable protein sources, edible insects are receiving increasing attention because of their nutritional value and environmental benefits. The present study examined the bioaccessibilities and antioxidant activities of peptides from the digesta of edible-insect proteins ( Tenebrio molitor and Zophobas atratus larvae) and used an in vitro digestion model to explore their interactions with myeloperoxidase. These proteins exhibited bioaccessibilities superior to that of soy protein and produced digesta with high antioxidant activities. The 10 active peptides present in these digesta were sequenced and shown to strongly bind to myeloperoxidase using molecular docking analysis. Thus, this study demonstrates that edible-insect proteins are highly bioaccessible and produce bioactive peptides with potent antioxidant properties upon digestion, highlighting their potential as functional food ingredients. • In vitro digestion model for the bioactivity assessment of insect proteins. • Edible insects are prospective sources of nutritional and bioactive proteins. • Insect protein digesta have better antioxidant activity than soy protein digesta. • The insect-derived proteins are digested into peptides smaller than 3 kDa.