Tenebrio molitor L. 1758 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae): análise cienciométrica e avaliação do desenvolvimento sob diferentes densidades de substrado

Abstract

This research reviews the use of Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera:Tenebrionidae) as a source of protein for human and animal nutrition, based on articles from 1995 to 2023. 631 articles were analyzed, showing growth in publications since 2010, especially in 2019 and 2022. Italy leads with 100 publications, followed by South Korea and China. English is the predominant language. The main journals include PLOS ONE and Food Chemistry, and the most cited authors are Gasco L. and Schiavone A. The research also highlights the use of T. molitor in food and its growth performance. The experimente with five substrate density treatments showed that higher density T4 (125g) and T5 (150g) accelerate development, while lower density T1 (50g) and T2 (75g) prolongs the larval cycle. T3 density balances substrate consumption and productivity. The integration between theoretical aspects such as Scientometrics that reveals global trends regarding the object of study T. molitor insect protein for animals and humans and the experimental part of the creation of T. molitor under different substrate densities shows the challenges and opportunities in using insects as a source of protein and their creation in insect biology, consumption and development time. Through scientometric analysis, it was possible to identify global trends, such as the growing adoption of insects in the food market, while the experimental study brought practical contributions, helping to refine breeding and management parameters.