• Ultra-high pressure improved the emulsification performance of whitebait MP. • Ultra-high pressure induced molecular stretching of whitebait MP. • Ultra-high pressure enhanced the gel strength of whitebait MP. • Ultra-high pressure improved the digestibility of whitebait MP gel.

Tenbrio molitor (T. molitor) is a widely utilized feed ingredient, though it is deficient in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). To address this, dietary supplements containing EPA and DHA in ethyl ester and triglyceride forms were administered to investigate the lipid metabolism and bioenhancement potential of T. molitor. The larvae exhibited normal growth across all treatment groups. EPA/DHA levels were significantly elevated in T. molitor-enriched diets, with newly identified phospholipid species including phosphatidylcholine 18:1_20:5 (PC 18:1_20:5) and phosphatidylethanolamine 18:0_20:5 (PE 18:0_20:5). KEGG pathway analysis revealed that glycerol phospholipid metabolism (ko00564), endogenous cannabinoid signaling (ko04723), and cell division (ko04148) were the core pathways that promoted phospholipid synthesis and oxidative lipid conversion (such as peroxide value-phosphatidylcholine, POV-PC). T. molitor activates glycerophospholipid metabolism, converting EPA/DHA into more bioavailable medium- and short-chain phospholipids, thereby enhancing its nutritional value and providing a new strategy for the development of functional foods/feeds.

Neosalanx taihuensis (N. taihuensis) is an important freshwater fish species, rich in nutrients and proteins. However, myofibrillar proteins (MPs), as the major component of muscle, are prone to oxidative denaturation. Tea polyphenols (TPs), as natural antioxidants, have broad applications in the area of aquatic product manufacturing. The research examined the impacts of three typical catechins, namely epicatechin (EC), epigallocatechin (EGC), and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), on the structure and gel characteristics of MP from N. taihuensis under oxidative treatment conditions. In comparison to the oxidized group, all three TP compounds notably slowed down the oxidation process of MP and decreased the production of oxidative products. Additionally, TP addition induced changes in the MP structure, with further exposure of hydrophobic regions. Furthermore, TP treatment notably enhanced the functional properties of MP gels, including optimized gel strength, improved water holding capacity (WHC), and altered rheological properties. Among the three TP compounds, EGCG, due to its higher number of phenolic rings, formed complexes with MP that exhibited greater antioxidant activity. The research results indicated that the WHC of the EGCG group had increased by 17.06 % compared to the oxidized group, and the decrease in amino content reached as much as 40.09 %. Finally, molecular docking simulations were performed to explore the ways in which TP and MP interact. This study not only uncovers the relationship between polyphenol types and MP structure, but also confirms the enormous potential of TP as antioxidants in the improvement of N. taihuensis surimi products.

Due to their high nutritional value and a lower environmental impact, Tenebrio molitor (T. molitor) larvae are regarded as an alternative protein and lipid source in food industries, animal husbandry, and fishery. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ω-3 PUFA intake on the nutritional value and gut microbiota of T. molitor larvae. Tenebrio molitor (T. molitor) larvae were reared with wheat bran at 20–32 °C for 4 weeks to screen for a suitable temperature. EPA ethyl esters (EE), DHA ethyl esters (ED), DHA triglycerides (TG), and krill oil (KO) were supplemented in wheat bran to rear larvae for 4 weeks, and the compositions including moisture, carbohydrates, crude protein, and crude fats were analyzed. Gut microbiome was analyzed using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Larvae reared on wheat bran showed optimal growth at 28 °C. ω-3 PUFA supplements increased crude protein (1.07–1.16 fold) and crude fat (1.12–1.22 fold) contents without affecting survival. Gut microbiota composition shifted significantly in all ω-3 supplemented groups, altering over 10 genera. Bacteria with changed abundance (e.g., Clostridium), known for roles in protein/lipid metabolism, likely contributed to the enhanced nutritional contents. These findings demonstrate the benefits of ω-3 PUFA supplementation in T. molitor rearing and identify associated gut bacteria.