Structural, physicochemical, and immune-enhancing properties of edible insect protein isolates from Protaetia brevitarsis larvae

Edible insects are promising future food resources globally. Herein, the structural, physicochemical, and biofunctional properties of edible insect protein isolates (EPIs) extracted from Protaetia brevitarsis larvae were investigated. The results showed that EPIs have a high total essential amino acid content; moreover, & beta;-sheet is the major secondary protein structure. The EPI protein solution was highly soluble and electrically stable and did not aggregate easily. In addition, EPIs exhibited immune-enhancing properties; EPI treatment of macrophages induced the activation of macrophages and consequently promoted the production of pro-inflammatory mediators (NO, TNF-& alpha;, and IL-1 & beta;). Moreover, macrophage activation of EPIs was confirmed to occur through the MAPK and NF-xB pathways. In conclusion, our results suggest that the isolated P. brevitarsis protein can be fully utilized as a functional food material and alternative protein source in the future food industry.