How about a tray of roasted crickets? [06.07.21]
At the bus station in Kampala (Uganda) and other African cities, this is a common travel snack and nothing to write home about. In times of climate change and rising demand for sustainably produced and protein-rich foods, insect proteins are becoming a trend even in temperate climates. As an alternative to fish and meat proteins, insects capture also the attention of food scientists. A recently published study by Prof Lutz Fischer's group and business partners investigates the taste of insect proteins and possible aroma tuning.
Picture Credit: https://www.dolomitenstadt.at/2013/01/11/senene-ein-knuspriger-heuschrecken-snack/
Original Article
Kora Kassandra Grossmann 1, Michael Merz 2, Daniel Appel 2, Maria Monteiro De Araujo 2, Lutz Fischer 1 (2021) New insights into the flavoring potential of cricket (Acheta domesticus) and mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) protein hydrolysates and their Maillard products. Food Chemistry, Volume 364, 1 December 2021, 130336doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.130336
- Institute of Food Science and Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology and Enzyme Science, University of Hohenheim, Garbenstrasse 25, D-70599 Stuttgart, Germany
- Nestlé Product and Technology Centre Food, Lange Strasse 21, D-78224 Singen, Germany
Highlights
• Enzymatic hydrolysis of insect proteins develops savory and diverse taste profiles.
• Insect proteins hydrolysates and Maillard products show different sensory profiles.
• Identified odor-active molecules are also present in meat and seafood products.
• Insect proteins have potential for savory flavoring.
Abstract
Insect proteins have an earthy-like flavor and have not shown great flavor potential for food applications so far. In this study, insect proteins of cricket Acheta domesticus and mealworm Tenebrio molitor larvae were first enzymatically hydrolyzed using two peptidase preparations (Flavourzyme1000L and ProteaseA “Amano”2SD). Xylose was then added to facilitate Maillard reactions (30 min, T = 98 °C, 1% (w/v) xylose). A comprehensive sensory evaluation showed that both the hydrolysis and the Maillard reactions changed the flavor description of the samples significantly to more complex and savory-like taste profiles (27 descriptors for cricket and 39 descriptors for mealworm protein). In addition, 38 odor-active molecules were identified using gas chromatography–olfactometry (1 alcohol, 5 acids, 11 aldehydes, 5 ketones and 16 heterocyclic compounds). The results showed impressively that the flavoring potential of insect proteins was significantly enhanced with respective processing.
 | PI: Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Lutz FischerFg. Biotechnologie und Enzymwissenschaft |
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