Simultaneous Analysis of Primary Metabolites in European House Cricket (Acheta domesticus) Using LC-MS/MS

While the practical use of insect-based diets has garnered significant attention in recent years, research on the nutritional aspects of edible insects remains in its early stages. Although there have been investigations focusing on proteins, peptides, and lipids, analysis on primary metabolites have not been conducted. In this study, simultaneous analysis of 200 primary metabolites was investigated using LC-MS/MS to identify distinctive components in European House Cricket (Acheta domesticus). Multivariate analysis revealed that inosine and other metabolites are characteristic constituents of crickets. Inosine plays a crucial role in cellular energy supply and possesses immunostimulatory and antiviral properties; however, caution is advised against excessive intake. Additionally, compounds such as carnitine and Acetyl-L-carnitine, which promote fatty acid metabolism, were identified as beneficial dietary components. Furthermore, our investigation into the nutrient content of insects from different origins revealed variations, suggesting that external factors influence the chemical composition of insects. Consequently, elucidating cricket-specific constituents and understanding the factors affecting them is expected to enhance the potential utilization of crickets as both food and feed.