ULTRAVIOLET TREATMENT ON BEETLE LARVA OIL FOR VITAMIN D3 ENRICHEMENT

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a beetle oil enriched with vitamin D3 comprising a light treatment step in which at least one light source emits ultraviolet rays towards said beetle oil.

Description

Title of the invention: ULTRAVIOLET TREATMENT ON BEETLE LARVAE OIL FOR AN ENRI VITAMIN D3 SOURCE Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of the food industry.

[0002] The subject of the present invention relates more particularly to the preparation of an oil rich in vitamin D3 from fresh beetle larvae or beetle powder.

[0003] One of the objects of the present invention is the enrichment with vitamin D3 of an oil extracted from fresh larvae or powder of beetles.

[0004] The present invention will thus find numerous applications, particularly in the food industry, and in particular for human food or animal food (PetFood / PetCare / Food supplement). Prior art

[0005] Vitamin D3 has important properties for the body.

[0006] By vitamin D3 is meant here cholecalciferol.

[0007] In humans, this vitamin D3 helps maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. It strengthens the immune system and improves cognitive function.

[0008] Vitamin D3 also plays an essential role in maintaining skeletal muscles and bones in humans and pets like dogs.

[0009] For example, it is used as a supplement to calcium to prevent osteoporosis in the elderly.

[0010] In reptiles, vitamin D3 allows optimal assimilation of calcium and mineralization of bones.

[0011] In humans, we now know that 50% of healthy adults suffer from a vitamin D3 deficiency.

[0012] Daily requirements for vitamin D3 are 15 pg for adults and can increase to 20 pg in people over 70 years of age.

[0013] Traditionally, food sources containing vitamin D3 come mainly from fish, particularly through oils, fish fillets or livers. However, fish are a declining resource, which is therefore becoming increasingly expensive.

[0014] Vitamin D3 can also be found in the form of supplements, extracted from boreal lichen or synthesized from lanolin.

[0015] The demand for vitamin D3 is growing.

[0016] Food industry players are currently focusing a lot of energy on finding solutions to provide vitamin D3 in a sustainable and reasonable manner.

[0017] The use of beetle larvae is known in the food industry.

[0018] Such larvae can contain between 15 and 35% oil on dry weight. The oil extracted from these larvae can therefore be used to meet food needs.

[0019] However, naturally, beetle oil contains little or no vitamin D3.

[0020] The Applicant submits that there is currently no technology for enriching beetle oil with vitamin D3.

[0021] Summary and object of the present invention

[0022] The present invention aims to improve the situation described above.

[0023] The present invention aims more particularly to remedy the various inconveniences above-mentioned advantages by proposing a solution for enriching a beetle oil with vitamin D3, such oil to be consumable as food or food supplement for humans or animals.

[0024] To this end, the subject of the present invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a process for preparing a beetle oil enriched with vitamin D3 comprising a light treatment step during which at least one light source emits ultraviolet rays towards said beetle oil.

[0025] The applicant observes that the results obtained by UV treatment on beetle oil are very favorable and highlight an enrichment in vitamin D3 of the beetle oil. Such UV treatment in fact makes it possible to generate an oil nine times richer in vitamin D3 than cod liver oil, considered to be the oil richest in vitamin D3 (250 pg / 100 g, source: CIQUAL, Anses).

[0026] It should also be noted that the oil obtained by this process is not rancid; it has an acceptable oxidation rate (a peroxide index of less than 5, an anisidine index of less than 3 and a TOTOX index of less than 26). Such an oxidation rate constitutes an indicator of quality for consumption. With the above indices, it is understood that the oil obtained by the process is consumable by humans or animals.

[0027] Advantageously, the method according to the present invention comprises a preliminary phase of extraction of a beetle oil comprising:

[0028] - a lipid fraction (or oily fraction) comprising preferably extracted lipids either fresh live larvae, fresh frozen larvae, larvae that have been boiled between 50 and 120°C for at least 5 seconds, or dehydrated and / or powdered beetle larvae; or

[0029] - any lipid subfraction (or oily subfraction) extracted from said oily fraction.

[0030] Preferably, the oily fraction and / or subfraction comprises lipids of the sterol class.

[0031] By lipids, we mean any molecules belonging to the following classes: fatty acid class, acylglycerol class, phosphoacylglycerol class, sterol class, sphingolipid class, polyketide class, phenol class and saccharo-lipid class.

[0032] Fresh larvae are beetle larvae containing at least 50% water.

[0033] Beetle powder means beetle larvae containing less than 10% water.

[0034] This extraction phase comprises one or more steps which allow the production of an oil having physicochemical characteristics allowing their use in human or animal food as an ingredient or food supplement.

[0035] Advantageously, the extraction phase comprises a step of hot or cold mechanical pressing of said beetle larvae.

[0036] Advantageously, the extraction phase comprises at least one centrifugation step. Said centrifugation step is preferably carried out on the larvae once crushed and / or pressed.

[0037] Such centrifugation facilitates the operation of recovering and extracting the oil.

[0038] Optionally, the extraction phase comprises a step of adding a solvent to promote extraction.

[0039] Preferably, the added solvent is selected from the following solvents: ethanol, water.

[0040] Advantageously, the at least one light source has a radiation power of between 13 and 125 Watts, preferably between 20 and 50 Watts.

[0041] Advantageously, the treatment step is carried out continuously for a treatment duration of between 10 minutes and 8 hours, preferably between 1 and 4 hours.

[0042] Such a treatment duration on the oil shows an optimization of the synthesis of vitamin D3. It is observed in fact that UV rays and oxygen act as an oxidation factor of fatty acids which limits the duration of exposure of the oil.

[0043] Advantageously, the beetle oil is placed during the treatment step in a receptacle and has a depth relative to the bottom of said receptacle of between 1 and 50 mm, preferably between 3 and 10 mm.

[0044] In other words, the oil layer has a height of between 1 and 50 mm, preferably between 3 and 10 mm.

[0045] Such depth (or height) makes UV treatment effective since the rays can pass through the entire oil layer to improve the performance of vitamin D3 synthesis.

[0046] Advantageously, the beetle oil is maintained in an environment having a substantially constant temperature of between 15 and 30°C, preferably between 21 and 24°C.

[0047] The Applicant observes here that the synthesis of vitamin D3 is optimized in the presence of a temperature above 20°C. However, heat is a factor in the oxidation of fatty acids, limiting the temperature range during light treatment.

[0048] Advantageously, the ultraviolet rays emitted by the at least one light source are of the UVB type and consist of electromagnetic radiation whose wavelength is between 280 nm and 320 nm.

[0049] Such rays included in the UV wavelengths and in particular UVB make it possible to activate and accelerate the synthesis of vitamin D3.

[0050] Such properties are known in humans and certain reptiles in particular. On the other hand, these properties had never been observed or exploited on beetle oil.

[0051] It should be noted here that the quantity of vitamin D3 synthesized is dependent on the quantity of UVB received per unit of time.

[0052] Preferably, it is envisaged, during the light treatment step, that the at least one light source is positioned at a determined distance from the beetle oil of between about 1 and 100 centimeters, preferably between about 5 and 20 centimeters.

[0053] Preferably, the intensity of the UV light sources decreases as one moves away from it.

[0054] Preferably, the beetles are selected from the following: Tenebrio molitor and / or Alphitobius diaperinus.

[0055] The subject of the present invention relates, according to a second aspect, to a beetle oil obtained by implementing a preparation process as described above, said oil comprising at least 300 μg of vitamin D3 per 100 grams of oil.

[0056] The subject of the present invention relates, according to a third aspect, to a food supplement comprising a beetle oil as described above for human or animal food.

[0057] Alternatively, the subject of the present invention relates, according to a fourth aspect, to an ingredient comprising a beetle oil as described above for human or animal food.

[0058] By the various technical characteristics above, and in particular a treatment light based on ultraviolet radiation on beetle oil, the present invention makes it possible to obtain a beetle oil containing a percentage of vitamin D3 much higher than beetle oil which has not undergone UV treatment, with an acceptable oxidation rate (for example with a peroxide index of less than 5, an anisidine index of less than 3 and TOTOX index of less than 26), while being industrializable. Figures

[0059] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description below, with reference to the appended figures 1 and 2 which illustrate an exemplary embodiment thereof without any limiting character and in which:

[0060] [fig.l]

[0061] [Fig.l] is a graph highlighting the enrichment of beetle oil as a function of light treatment.

[0062] [fig.2]

[0063] [Fig.2] is a graph showing the oxidation rate (peroxide value and anisidine value) of beetle oil enriched with vitamin D3. Detailed description

[0064] The following description is provided as a simple illustration of the invention, with respect to which it is not limiting in any way.

[0065] For the record, the invention which will be described here aims to develop a technique for significantly increasing the level of vitamin D3 in beetle oil.

[0066] For the sake of clarity and conciseness, in the remainder of the description, the term beetles refers to the following species: Tenebrio molitor and / or Alphitobius diaperinus.

[0067] The Applicant submits that nothing in the prior art or even in the general knowledge of those skilled in the art would allow one to envisage that it was possible to enrich beetle oil to such a level by UVB treatment.

[0068] In the example described here, provision is made for implementing a method for enriching beetle oil comprising a light treatment step during which at least one light source emits ultraviolet rays towards the beetle oil.

[0069] In other words, beetle oil is understood here to mean:

[0070] - the oily fraction comprising all the lipids preferentially extracted either fresh live larvae, fresh frozen larvae, larvae that have been boiled between 50 and 120°C for at least 5 seconds, or dehydrated and / or powdered beetle larvae; and / or

[0071] - any lipid subfraction extracted from this oily fraction, preferably an oily subfraction comprising lipids of the sterol class.

[0072] By extraction is meant all the extraction processes which allow the production of an oil having physicochemical characteristics allowing their use in human or animal food as an ingredient or food supplement.

[0073] The extraction process may involve a hot or cold mechanical pressing step.

[0074] The extraction process may involve one or more centrifugation steps.

[0075] The extraction process may involve the use of solvents.

[0076] It will be noted here that the phase of extraction of the oily fraction is not described in detail in this present document because the invention relates mainly to UV treatment.

[0077] Fresh larvae are beetle larvae containing at least 50% water.

[0078] Beetle powder means beetle larvae containing less than 10% water.

[0079] In this example, the ultraviolet rays emitted by the at least one light source towards the beetle oil during the light treatment step are of the UVB type and consist of electromagnetic radiation whose wavelength is between 280 nm and 320 nm.

[0080] Light rays within the UV wavelengths and in particular UVB are known to trigger the synthesis of vitamin D3 in humans and certain reptiles in particular.

[0081] In this example, it is envisaged, during the light treatment step, that the at least one light source is positioned at a determined distance from the beetle oil of between about 1 and 100 centimeters, preferably between about 5 and 20 centimeters.

[0082] The intensity of UV light sources decreases as one moves away from them. The amount of vitamin D3 synthesized is dependent on the amount of UVB received per unit of time.

[0083] In this example, at least one light source has a radiation power of between 13 and 125 Watts, preferably between 20 and 50 Watts.

[0084] Advantageously, it is envisaged that, during the light treatment step, the at least one light source emits ultraviolet rays towards the beetle oil according to treatment ranges of between 10 minutes and 8 hours continuously, preferably between 1 and 4 hours. UV and oxygen are known to be a factor in the oxidation of fatty acids, which limits the duration of exposure of the oil.

[0085] In this example, it is envisaged that, during all or part of the light treatment step, the beetle oil is maintained in an environment having a substantially constant temperature of between 20 and 30°C, preferably between 21 and 24°C.

[0086] Vitamin D3 synthesis is optimized in the presence of temperatures above 20°C. However, heat is a factor in the oxidation of fatty acids, limiting the temperature range during light treatment.

[0087] The applicant submits that the present invention allows enrichment of beetle oil with vitamin D3.

[0088] The tests carried out in this example and the results of which are illustrated in [fig.l] highlight the importance of UV treatment.

[0089] On sample 1 corresponding to a Tenebrio molitor oil, no UV treatment was applied.

[0090] Sample 2 concerns an oil of Tenebrio molitor placed 20 cm from the UV light source (UVB200 Exoterra lamp, 25W) on a layer 5 mm thick for 90 minutes (N=2).

[0091] Sample 3 concerns an oil of Tenebrio molitor placed 20 cm from the UV light source (UVB200 Exoterra lamp, 25W) on a layer 5 mm thick for 180 minutes. N=2.

[0092] Sample 4 concerns cod liver oil.

[0093] Concentration analyses were carried out on each of the samples by a COFRAC-certified analysis laboratory; the results of these analyses are shown in [fig.l] and show that, for sample 1, the vitamin D3 concentration is very low, and that, for samples 2 and 3, the oil has a vitamin D3 concentration up to nine times richer in vitamin D3 than cod liver oil, considered to be the oil richest in vitamin D3 (250 pg / 100 g, source: CIQUAL, Anses).

[0094] The peroxide index and anisidine index results in [fig.2] were obtained on samples 2. The oxidation analyses were carried out by a COFRAC certified laboratory.

[0095] Analyses of peroxide and anisidine indices on beetle oil having received UV treatment show acceptable levels of oxidation, respectively 2 ± 0.5 and 1 ± 0.3.

[0096] For comparison, for the peroxide index, according to the STAN 33-1981 codex, the maximum value is 20 for virgin olive oil and 5 for refined olive oil. The TOTOX (Total Oxidation) index gives a representation of the oxidation state by aggregating the results of the two measurements (TOTOX index = 2 x peroxide index + anisidine index). Quality oils generally have a value TOTOX less than 10.

[0097] It is commonly accepted that the value of this TOTOX index for an oil must be less than 26. The TOTOX index obtained after the treatment of the present invention shows values ​​well below this threshold value, which makes the oil obtained according to the process perfectly consumable.

[0098] It should be noted that this detailed description relates to a particular embodiment of the present invention, but that in no case does this description have any limiting character with respect to the subject of the invention; on the contrary, its objective is to remove any possible imprecision or misinterpretation of the claims which follow.

[0099] It should also be noted that the reference signs placed in parentheses in the following claims are in no way limiting; these signs have the sole purpose of improving the intelligibility and understanding of the following claims as well as the scope of the protection sought.

Claims

Claims

1. A process for preparing a beetle oil enriched with vitamin D3 comprising a preliminary phase of extraction of a beetle oil during which is extracted: - an oily fraction; and / or - an oily sub-fraction extracted from said oily fraction, which comprises a light treatment step during which at least one light source emits ultraviolet rays towards said beetle oil.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said oily fraction and / or subfraction comprises lipids of the sterol class.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said oily fraction comprises lipids extracted from: - fresh live larvae; and / or - fresh frozen larvae; and / or - larvae previously boiled between 50 and 120°C for at least 5 seconds; and / or - dehydrated and / or powdered beetle larvae.

4. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the extraction phase comprises a step of hot or cold mechanical pressing of said beetle larvae.

5. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the extraction phase comprises at least one centrifugation step.

6. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the extraction phase comprises a step of adding a solvent to promote extraction.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said added solvent is selected from the following solvents: ethanol, water.

8. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one light source has a radiation power of between 13 and 125 Watts, preferably between 20 and 50 Watts; and wherein the ultraviolet rays emitted by said at least one light source have a light intensity which decreases as one moves away from it.

9. A method according to any preceding claim, in in which the treatment step is carried out continuously for a treatment duration of between 10 minutes and 8 hours, preferably between 1 and 4 hours.

10. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the beetle oil is placed during the treatment step in a receptacle and has a depth relative to the bottom of said receptacle of between 1 and 50 mm, preferably between 3 and 10 mm.

11. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the beetle oil is maintained in an environment having a substantially constant temperature of between 15 and 30°C, preferably between 21 and 24°C.

12. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said ultraviolet rays emitted by the at least one light source are of the UVB type and consist of electromagnetic radiation whose wavelength is between 280 nm and 320 nm and, wherein said at least one light source is positioned at a determined distance from the oil beetles of between 1 and 100 centimeters, preferably between 5 and 20 centimeters

13. Beetle oil obtained by carrying out a preparation process according to any one of the preceding claims, said oil comprising at least 300 pg of vitamin D3 per 100 grams of oil.

14. Food supplement comprising a beetle oil according to claim 13 for human or animal consumption.

15. An ingredient comprising a beetle oil according to claim 13 for human or animal food.

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