Salt-soluble protein extracts from Hermetia illucens and Bombix mori for high protein pasta production

Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens, HI) and silkworm (Bombyx mori, BM) are two promising insect species for possible novel food applications, currently undergoing safety evaluation by European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Aim of this research was to extract a protein fraction from defatted insect powders using phosphate-buffered saline and to manufacture pasta by replacing 15% semolina with salt-soluble insect protein extract, in order to achieve the claim “high protein”. Pasta samples were then analysed to evaluate their technological quality. The high-protein pastas showed darker colour (L*: 52.5 < 58.4 < 72.3, for HI, BM, and CP, respectively; p < 0.05), higher fracturability (5.68 and 5.49 > 7.06 N; p < 0.05) and water absorption index (171 and 172 > 149%; p < 0.05) than control pasta. However, pasta firmness and adhesiveness remained unchanged. Black soldier fly and silkworm provide protein extracts suitable for the production of high protein pasta with good technological quality; furthermore, they might have interesting potential for other food applications.