Vitamin E in animal feeds is important for biological development and nutritional equilibrium. Insects are important protein sources for animal feed. The most widely used insects are Musca domestica (MD), Hermetia illucens (HI) and Tenebrio molitor (TM). The data of vitamin E content comparison among different animal feed insects are limited. High performance liquid chromatography was used to detect in vitamin E content of MD, HI and TM. The results showed that the content of vitamin E in larvae of MD, HI and TM was 616.5 ± 47.2, 614.6 ± 36.5 and 218.4 ± 12.0 µg/g, respectively. The ratio of tocopherol and tocotrienol changed in adults of MD and HI when compared to their own larvae stage. The larvae of MD and HI have a maximum value, that α- tocotrienol was nearly 200.0 µg/g. The proportion of isomer monomers in three insects was significantly different when compared with raw wheat bran. Interestingly, α- tocopherol was detected in larvae, pupae, and adults of MD, but only in larvae of HI and adults of TM. The content of vitamin E in wheat bran eaten by insects was significantly different with raw wheat bran. This indicates that insects have selective specificity in the absorption and accumulation of vitamin E isomers. Our results contributed to the development of insects derived vitamin E and the biological function of different isomers.
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13 November 2023
Comparison of Vitamin E Isomers Composition among Three Animal Feeds Containing the Insects Musca domestica, (Diptera: Muscidae), Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) and Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)
S. Zhang,
Z.Z. Tan,
J. Zhang,
S.Z. Li,
K.R. Qiu,
F. Zhu
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Entomological News
Vol. 130 • No. 5
August 2023
Vol. 130 • No. 5
August 2023
black soldier fly
housefly
mealworms
tocopherol
tocotrienol