Tissue distribution of minerals and antinutrients of Clanis bilineata tsingtauica Mell larvae based on different methods of consumption

Mineral deficiencies result in a variety of health issues in humans, and alternative sources of minerals are greatly needed to address this problem. Clanis bilineata tsingtauica larvae are nutrient-rich and are prepared using several different cooking methods in China. In this study, the concentrations of ten different mineral elements were determined in the larvae of C. bilineata tsingtauica. The guts of larvae that had wriggled in soil contained abundant macro- and micronutrients at 4,800 and 271.68 mg/kg, respectively. Larvae that wriggled in soil contained high levels of phytic acid (1707.07 μg/g) and had the lowest mineral bioavailability. Expression studies indicated that genes related to phytic acid highly expressed in the hemolymph of larvae that had not wriggled in soil. This study shows that C. bilineata tsingtauica larvae are vital sources of minerals and that long-established dietary habits have a scientific basis, thus providing insight into the use of this alternative food source to improve human health.