Effect of Tenebrio molitor Larvae Fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae M1 (KACC 93023) on Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver-induced Rats

In this study, Tenebrio molitor (brown mealworm) larvae powder was fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae M1 (KACC 93023). The fermented and non-fermented powders were subsequently administered to rats with induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease to compare the degree of improvement. The rats exhibited abnormal lipid metabolism due to orotic acid, and the group that were fed the fermented larvae powder showed similar weight to normal rats. AST, ALT, ALP, and LDH activities, all known indicators of liver health, and various other lipid-related indicators appeared positive, suggesting improvement. The lipid peroxide and glutathione content in the liver tissue and serum were similar to or better than those of the normal group. Finally, morphological observations of liver tissue using H&E and oil red O stainings revealed that the fermented powder group showed markedly reduced fat along with normal hepatocyte shape and arrangement. To summarize, it was confirmed that dietary brown mealworm larvae improve non-alcoholic fatty liver function, and, when fermented with yeast, most indicators showed positive improvements to almost normal levels. As such, the fermented powder can be considered to improve non-alcoholic fatty liver, suggesting that it may be used as a material for various products in the future.