Quality Evaluation and Bioactive Properties of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)-Acha (Digitaria exilis) Cereal Blends Enriched with Cricket (Brachytrupes membranaceus) Protein Derivatives

¹Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria

²Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina, Nigeria

³Federal University of Technology, Owerri. Nigeria

*Corresponding author: Ochelle Paul Ohini, Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina, Nigeria, Phone: 08029383858, E-mail: [email protected]

Received Date: November 03, 2025

Publication Date: December 05, 2025

Citation: Peace Ogomegbunam A, et al. (2025). Quality Evaluation and Bioactive Properties of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)-Acha (Digitaria exilis) Cereal Blends Enriched with Cricket (Brachytrupes membranaceus) Protein Derivatives. Nutraceutical Res. 4(2):16.

Copyright: Peace Ogomegbunam A, et al. © (2025).

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the bioactive properties of sorghum-acha cereal blends enriched with cricket protein derivatives. Whole cricket meal (WCM), defatted cricket meal (DCM), and cricket protein hydrolysate (CPH) were incorporated (10%) into sorghum-acha flour (80:10). Blends (SAWCM, SADCM, SACPH), analyzed for in vitro antioxidant (DPPH, FRAP, ORAC), antidiabetic (α-amylase/α-glucosidase inhibition) activities, alongside in vivo effects in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. SACPH exhibited superior antioxidant activity (34.9% DPPH, 0.34% superoxide scavenging) compared to sorghum-only control (32.5%, 0.23%). Cricket-enriched blends showed moderate enzyme inhibition (38.5–52.5% α-amylase; 31.5–42.7% α-glucosidase) versus acarbose (90.5%, 85.5%). In vivo, treated rats displayed improved lipid profiles (TC, TG, LDL, HDL) and liver biomarkers (ALT, AST, ALP) versus diabetic controls. Results suggest cricket-fortified blends possess nutraceutical potential to mitigate diabetes, oxidative stress, and liver dysfunction, while addressing malnutrition in resource constrained environment.

Keywords: Antidiabetic, Antioxidants, Functional Properties, Protein Hydrolysates, Sensory Evaluation.