Physicochemical properties of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) powders manufactured by different industrial processes

The mealworm is a typical edible insect, and when mealworms are processed to powder form, their desirability to consumers may increase. To identify optimal conditions for producing mealworm powders, six conditions were tested and verified. First, spray-dried whole-fat powder and solvent-defatted powder ground with a cutter mill were prepared. In addition, four types of press-defatted powders were ground with a pin-, hammer-, jet-, or cutter-mill. In conclusion, whole-fat spray-dried powder had more round shape and showed high homogeneity of particle size, but there were many limitations in powder flowability. Mealworm powders had better flowability and other physical properties, such as emulsion and foaming activities, when the fat was removed. However, the solvent-defatted powders, which lacked fat, were less desirable to consumers due to their lack of flavor. Among the press-defatted mealworm powders, the one milled by a jet mill showed better flowability and physicochemical properties compared to the other powders.