Antioxidant activities of Tenebrio molitor larvae and Protaetia brevitarsis larvae water extracts

This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activities of Tenebrio molitor L. (TM) and Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis L. (PB). Water extracts of TM and PB were prepared at concentrations of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 mg/mL. Cell viability assays were performed to evaluate the cytoprotective effects of TM and PB water extracts. Antioxidant activities were measured using ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging assays and the reducing power. The cell viability of TM and PB water extracts significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner, with TM exhibiting superior efficacy compared to PB. TM and PB water extracts exhibited high ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activities. The Reducing power showed higher values in TM than that of PB. These findings suggest that TM and PB have the potential to inhibit reactive oxygen species, supporting their use in developing antioxidants derived from edible insects.