[Green] Edible insect 'flower bengi' extract improves immunity

The Rural Development Administration and Kyungpook National University have proven that the extract of the edible insect "Kkotbaengi" is effective in improving immunity.

The Rural Development Administration explained that as a result of treating the Kkotbaeng extract to macrophages, one of the white blood cells, the amount of nitric oxide (NO) secreted when macrophages are activated increased by six times, and the expression of cytokines increased, confirming the immune induction effect.

Kkotbaengi (white-spotted flower radish caterpillar), which has been called kkotbaengi and used as herbal medicine since ancient times, was listed in the Food Fair as a general food raw material in 2016.

The flower beetle contains a large amount of vitamins and minerals, including protein, unsaturated fatty acids, and carbohydrates.

Recently, various effects such as anti-thrombosis, anti-inflammatory, and anti-osteoporosis have been confirmed.

The researchers confirmed the activation of macrophages and analyzed immune induction-related indicators and functional polysaccharide structures to reveal the immunity-boosting effect of the flower bean extract.

The human immune system is divided into innate immunity and acquired immunity, and leukocyte cells such as neutrophils and macrophages are involved in innate immune responses.

In particular, macrophages remove bacteria (antigens) invading from the outside and interact between cells to help the immune response in which cytokines, which are immune proteins, are expressed.

It has been shown that Kkotbaengi extract activates macrophages because membrane proteins (TLR4) and their sub-signaling pathways (JNK, NF-κB) are involved.

Byun Young-woong, head of the insect sericulture industry division at the Rural Development Administration, said, "This study has laid the groundwork for the use of flower buds in health functional foods. We will continue to show the effectiveness of edible insects through various studies to help increase farm household income and improve public health."