Effect of Solvent Concentration on Antioxidant Activities in Tenebrio molitor Larvae Extracts

This study was conducted to determine the optimal extraction conditions and suitable solvent by verifying the maximum antioxidant mechanisms of defatted Tenebrio molitor larva extracts according to ethanol concentrations (99%, 50%, 0%). The Tenebrio molitor larva extracts were concentrated under vaccum pressure, dissolved in solvents, and used for experiments. Antioxidant activity was assessed through Extraction yield, total polyphenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), DPPH radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), ABTS⁺ radical scavenging activity, and Fe2+ Chelating activity. The extraction yield was significantly highest in 50% ethanol (p<0.05). The 0% ethanol (distilled water, DW) extract exhibited significantly higher total flavonoid content, FRAP, ABTS+ radical scavenging activity, and Fe2+ chelating activity compared to the 50% ethanol extract (p<0.05). Based on these findings, the optimal solvent concentration for maximum antioxidant activity of defatted Tenebrio molitor larvae is 0% ethanol (DW), and it is considered that this could be utilized in the food industry as a protein source with high antioxidant capacity in the future.