Advances on amino acid metabolism in edible insects

Amino acids are crucial nutrients in insects; and as a food source, edible insects can provide humans with various essential and non-essential amino acids. This review aims to outline the key factors influencing the metabolism and transformation of amino acids in edible insects, clarify their regulatory mechanisms, and provide a theoretical basis for systematic research on amino acid metabolism in edible insects. Through literature review, this paper summarizes and analyzes the effects of multiple factors-including environment, species, growth stage, feeding, and gut microbiota-on amino acid metabolism in insects. It also examines the factors regulating amino acid levels and related signaling pathways in edible insects. The metabolism of amino acids in insects is influenced by various factors such as environment, species, growth stage, feeding, and gut microbiota. These factors directly or indirectly regulate amino acid metabolism and synthesis in insects by modulating amino acid concentrations or through the regulation of certain signaling pathways. This review summarizes recent research progress on how environmental conditions, species, developmental stages, feeding, and gut microbiota affect the metabolism and transformation of amino acids in edible insects. It provides a theoretical reference for future studies on amino acid metabolism in edible insects and promotes the efficient utilization of edible insects in nutritional resource development.