Nutritional Characteristics of Silkworm Pupae Protein En Peptides after Simulated Gastric and Simulated Intestinal Digestion In Vitro

This study evaluated the nutritional characteristics and percentage of released nitrogen (%) of silkworm pupae proteins and peptides after simulated gastric and intestinal digestion, with a view to use in animal feeds or human nutritional support. Distribution of molecular mass and amino acids in the processed protein were analysed and the amino acid score, chemical score, and essential amino acid index (EAAI) calculated. Differential scanning calorimetry and simulated in vitro gastrointestinal digestion were used to analyse the denaturation temperature and absorption characteristics of samples. The denaturation temperatures suggested that silkworm pupae proteins and peptides were stable at room temperature. Silkworm pupae proteins and peptides contained all amino acids required by humans, and the composition was reasonable. Simulated gastrointestinal digestion resulted in about 90% nitrogen release amount. All data indicate that this protein may be useful as an economic, high quality supplement in animal feeds and for human nutritional support.