We are what we eat: Implications of host plant suitability on sustainable production of silkworm pupae as novel ingredient with dietary and health benefits

Although, the impact of mulberry leaves on mortality of Bombyx mori [silkworm] and cocooning rates has been investigated, limited research has exploited the influence on the quality of B. mori pupae. This study evaluated the effects of four mulberry cultivars (Ichinose, Noi-EX-Thailand, Ex-Thika and Victory1) on the nutritional quality of B. mori pupae. The proximate composition, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals of different mulberry cultivars and silkworm pupae were analyzed using standard methods. Silkworms fed on Noi-EX-Thailand and Ex-Thika cultivars exhibited the highest crude protein (57.9%) and fat content (44.3%), respectively. Eight essential amino acids were identified in silkworm pupae, with histidine (6.02-7.12 μg/100mg) being the most abundant, followed by significant amounts of lysine (1.40-5.03 μg/100 mg), leucine (1.96-2.47μg/100 mg), and valine (0.89-2.03 μg/100 mg). Pupae raised on Noi-Ex-Thailand leaves had the highest total amino acid content (23.01 μg/100 mg). Potassium was the major mineral in pupae (505.62-665.30 mg/100 mg), with the highest levels observed in those fed on Noi-EX-Thailand. Vitamin C levels ranged from 28.84 to 61.88 mg/100 g, with pupae fed on Victory1 showing the highest concentration. There was a strong positive correlation between magnesium, crude protein and nitrogen-free extracts of mulberry leaves that mirrored the corresponding levels in silkworm pupae. These results underscore the importance of mulberry leaf composition in determining silkworm pupae quality, especially when considering their use as sustainable ingredient for the food, feed and pharmaceutical industry.