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Research Article

Effects of blanching and washing on microbial safety, acid value, and peroxide value in drone pupae as a safe food ingredient
Seung-Hee Baek2
,
Chang-Geun Lim1
,
In-Sik Nam13*
1School of Animal Life Convergence Science, Hankyong National University, Anseong 17579, Republic of Korea
2Research Center for Environment Friendly and Quality Livestock Production Technology, Hankyong National University, Anseong 17579, Republic of Korea
3Institute of Applied Humanimal Science, Hankyong National University, Ansung, 17579, Korea
*Corresponding Author
31 March 2025. pp. 10-18
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Abstract

This study investigated the effects of washing and blanching on the microbiological characteristics of male pupae, as well as their impact during storage. Additionally, the feasibility of incorporating these processes into male pupae production was evaluated. Male pupae collected from apiaries were assessed for hygiene indicator bacteria (quantitatively), pathogenic microorganisms (qualitatively), and oxidative stability through acid value and peroxide value measurements. The initial total aerobic bacterial count of male pupae was 2.88 ± 1.28 log CFU/g, while the fungal count was 2.35 ± 0.59 log CFU/g. After washing, these values decreased to 1.99 ± 0.28 log CFU/g, and following blanching, they further declined to 1.76 ± 0.08 log CFU/g, with no fungi detected. Pathogenic microorganisms, including Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus, were not detected at any stage of processing. Oxidative stability analysis showed that the acid value reached a maximum of 4.13 ± 0.70 mg/g, while the peroxide value peaked at 37.63 ± 4.42 mg/kg. These values remained within regulatory standards for edible insect products even under high-temperature storage conditions. Therefore, proper pretreatment and storage conditions are crucial for ensuring the industrial viability and food safety of drone pupae, making them applicable to food processors and beekeepers. However, the absence of a comparative control group limits the ability to evaluate the effects of specific factors. Further research is needed to enhance the reliability of these findings and to examine quality changes under various processing methods and storage conditions.

Keywords
Apis mellirera
Acid value
Drone pupae
Peroxide value
Sanitary indicator microorganisms
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Information
  • Publisher :Journal of Humanimal Sciences
  • Publisher(Ko) :한경국립대학교 휴머니멀응용과학연구소
  • Journal Title :Journal of Humanimal Sciences
  • Journal Title(Ko) :휴머니멀과학학술지
  • Volume : 1
  • No :1
  • Pages :10-18
  • Received Date : 2025-02-13
  • Revised Date : 2025-02-18
  • Accepted Date : 2025-02-19
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.23341/jhas.2025.1.1.10
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