Dietary entomophagy with silkworm pupae (Bombyx mori) and its effect on personalized gut microbiome and host health: A comparative analysis with beef and fish diets

초록

In various part of the world, insects especially silkworm pupae (SWP) are consumed as part of the diet, yet their effects on human gut microbiota remain underexplored. They are a good source of protein and may also support gut health differently than other animal-based diets such as red meat and white meat. In this study, we evaluated the impact of dietary intake of SWP on the human gut microbiome using an in vitro digestion and colonic fermentation model. Simultaneously, the effects were also compared to two conventional animal diet: beef and fish. Food samples (SWP, beef, and fish) were digested following the standardized INFOGEST protocol and fermented using fecal microbiota from healthy donors under strict anerobic conditions. The diet-induced gut microbial composition and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) levels were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and gas chromatography, respectively. In addition, diversity in their protein profiles was studied using SDS-PAGE (Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis), which showed the presence of distinct proteins in SWP compared to the others. Compared to other animal-based diets (beef and fish), SWP treatment resulted in a distinct microbial profile characterized by an increased abundance of beneficial genera such as Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium, while decreasing potential pathogens like Sutterella and Bilophila. SCFA analysis showed significantly higher levels of SCFA (acetate, propionate, butyrate) in SWP-treated samples compared to beef and fish. Furthermore, functional analysis revealed that SWP promoted pathways involved in NAD+ salvage, L-valine biosynthesis, and degradation of arginine and ornithine, processes crucial for maintaining gut and cellular health. The analysis also highlighted that L-valine biosynthesis induced by the SWP diet is primarily contributed by Faecalibacterium, whereas in the beef diet, Faecalibacterium is mainly involved in L-methionine biosynthesis. In addition, the SWP-induced microbiome network was also found to be more resilient and functionally stable. Equipped with Methanobrevibacter, it may effectively dispose of excessive hydrogen, which can support the host's health better than a beef and fish diet. These findings underscore the potential of SWP as a sustainable diet that supports gut microbial diversity and enhances metabolic functionality, offering a promising alternative to traditional animal-based diets for promoting host health.

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