IS X-RAY IRRADIATION A SUITABLE STRATEGY TO AFFECT THE TECHNO-FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF DEFATTED TENEBRIO MOLITOR FLOUR?

The increasing demand for nutritious and sustainable food ingredients has stimulated the incorporation of edible insects into novel food formulations. Among them, Tenebrio molitor is one of the most extensively studied edible insects due to its high nutritional value and the techno-functional potential of its proteins for food applications. However, information regarding the effects of X-ray irradiation on these functional properties remains limited. This study investigated the centesimal composition of defatted T. molitor flour and evaluated the effects of X-ray irradiation on its techno-functional properties. The centesimal composition of the flour revealed 53.41% protein, 1.53% lipids, 8.55% moisture, 4.24% ash, and 32.27% carbohydrates. Defatted flour samples were irradiated at 1, 5, and 10 kGy using a RadSource RS-420 XL self-shielded X-ray irradiator. Water Holding Capacity (WHC), Oil Holding Capacity (OHC), Foaming Capacity (FC), Foaming Stability (FS), Emulsifying Activity Index (EAI), and Emulsifying Stability Index (ESI) were determined, and the results were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's multiple comparison test (p < 0.05). X-ray irradiation reduced WHC and modified OHC according to the irradiation dose, while higher irradiation doses increased the FC, indicating improved foaming performance. In contrast, FS, EAI, and ESI remained unaffected, demonstrating that most techno-functional properties were preserved after irradiation. Overall, X-ray irradiation represents a promising nonthermal processing strategy to enhance the foaming performance of defatted T. molitor flour while maintaining most of its techno-functional properties. The improved FC highlights its potential application in aerated food systems, such as cakes and bakery products, where efficient foam formation is essential for product quality. NearInfrared (NIR) and Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy will be employed to investigate the structural changes induced by X-ray irradiation and their relationship with the techno-functional properties of insect proteins.