Metabolomic screening for therapeutic potential in Mimela sp., an edible insect of the Arunachal Pradesh region

Aim: Mimela sp. a small coleopteran beetle is rich in proteins, essential amino acids, fatty acids, some vitamins and minerals. It contains nutritional and therapeutic values. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the bioactive compounds of aqueous and ethanol extracts of Mimela sp. to understand its pharmacological/therapeutic importance. Methodology: The biologically active metabolites were analysed using Agilent Quadrupole time of flight mass analyser (Q-TOF-MS). Chromatographic separations were performed using 5 ul of aqueous and ethanolic sample injected onto an Agilent ultra high performance liquid chromatography system. Elution was carried out using solvent A(0.1 % Formic acid in water) and solvent B (90% Acetonitrile +10% H20+ 0.1% Formic acid) at aflow rate of 300 ulmin"1 for 30 min. Analysis of both aqueous and ethanol extracts of Mimela sp. showed the presence of important chemical compounds like alpha amino acids (L-Omithine, (R)-(+)-2-Pyrrolidone-5-Carboxylic acid), monoesters (Ethyl hydrogen sulphate, Carboxylic acid (Benzoic acid), monoterpenoids (Linaylphenylacetate), Cyclic polyols (D-Pinitol), phenols (Vanillic acid, Phyllohydroquinone) and polyphenols (Gentisic acid), which have immunological, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antiviral properties. Interpretation: Mimela sp. contain appreciable number, of bioactive compounds which can be further isolated and developed as drugs for modern medicines.