Vol. 11, Special Issue 2 (2022)

Author(s):
Arti Sharma, Rakesh Kumar Gupta, Palvi Sharma, Duwa, Kapil Attri, RS Bandral and Kamlesh Bali

Abstract:
Silkworm is a lepidopteran holometabolous economic insect, that completes its life cycle by undergoing into four stages i.e. egg, larvae, pupa and adult. From the nutritional point of view silkworm larval and pupal stage enjoys the privilege of being edible insect and consumed by the peoples of China, Japan, Korea, Thailand and Northeastern India. Silkworms are the only identified insects that provide food, fiber, and have biomedical significance. Silkworm pupae have a proportionate nutrient profile, making them appropriate as human food. Fried pupae make a good edible dish. Pupal proteins received more attention in the food industry owing to its high protein, minerals and vitamin contents. Silkworm pupal oil, chitin and chitosan have immense applications in various fields such as food industry, cosmetics, agriculture, water treatment, biomedicine, textile, biotechnology, wound healing agents etc. This review primarily focus silkworm as an edible insect by viewing its nutritional and medicinal applications.