This study aimed to improve the visual aspects and chemical, techno-functional and rheological characteristics of Gryllus bimaculatus cricket powder through the use of different solvents, with the objective of using it as a protein source in food production. Four treatments (pH 5 aqueous solution, ethanol 20%, ethanol 99.5%, and hexane) were applied to the powder, and analyses were conducted to assess changes in the previously mentioned parameters. The results showed that the treatments led to an increase in protein concentration (from 55.4 to 72.5%) and a decrease in fat concentration (from 33.0 to 6.8%) in ethanol 99.5% treated powder, as well as a reduction in anti-nutritional compounds concentration, such as tannins (from 13.3 to 5.9 g/kg), in pH 5 treated powder, which is important for the nutritional value of the final product. The color of the powders was improved, being lighter after hexane and ethanol 99.5% treatments due to the removal of melanin with the defatting process. Flowability, water, and oil holding capacity were also improved in the defatted powders. All the results suggest that the main composition of the powder directly influences the analyzed parameters. These findings suggest that cricket powder treated with solvents can be used as a protein source in different food applications.
Keywords: Gryllus bimaculatus; alternative proteins; insects; solvent treatment.