Junkui Huang

Mito-nuclear coadaptation is a fundamental evolutionary process linking genomic interactions to metabolic performance and organismal fitness. Although mito-nuclear incompatibility is known to impair mitochondrial function and contribute to hybrid breakdown, its effects on metabolic coordination between cellular organelles remain poorly understood, particularly in insects. Here, we used the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.) as an experimental model and established a mito-nuclear incompatibility system by introducing heterologous mitochondrial genomes into a common nuclear background. Integrating genomic, transcriptomic, metabolomic, and functional analyses, we found that mito-nuclear mismatch disrupted not only mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation but also peroxisome biogenesis and fatty acid metabolism. We identified the peroxisomal acyl-CoA oxidases ACOX1 and ACOX3 as important components associated with mito-nuclear incompatibility-induced disruption of mitochondria–peroxisome metabolic coordination. Functional knockdown of acyl-CoA oxidase (ACOX) genes recapitulated major metabolic and fitness-related phenotypes associated with mito-nuclear mismatch, including energy deficiency, oxidative stress, delayed larval development, and reduced adult reproductive performance. Moreover, restoration of redox and energetic homeostasis partially rescued ACOX expression, whereas reinstating ACOX expression alleviated lipid metabolic defects in mismatched lines. Together, these findings support a model in which mito-nuclear incompatibility disrupts mitochondrial function and peroxisomal metabolic homeostasis, with reduced ACOX-dependent fatty acid metabolism representing an important component of broader mitochondria–peroxisome metabolic dysregulation. Our findings reveal a previously underappreciated role of mito-nuclear interactions in coordinating mitochondrial–peroxisomal metabolism and provide a mechanistic framework for understanding how genomic compatibility influences metabolic integration across cellular organelles.

As sales have increased in recent years, enhancing production processes and quality has emerged as a significant challenge for the cricket industry. In this study, we investigated the impact of supplementing feed with black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) on the yield, nutritional characteristics, and protein digestibility of Acheta domesticus. In addition, the bioactivity of house cricket proteins was compared. The results demonstrated that incorporating BSFL into feed improved the yield and nutritional characteristics of house cricket, such as crude protein levels and total phenolic content. Alterations in amino acid and fatty acid profiles also enhanced their nutritional value. In addition, 5% BSFL and 10% BSFL were more readily digested, and the protein hydrolysate of the groups fed BSFL demonstrated stronger antioxidant activity. The findings of this study can offer valuable insights into house cricket farming, protein processing, and the development of new food products.

This research emphasizes the application of ultrafine grinding technologies to optimize the extraction process of chitin from house crickets (Acheta domesticus), aiming to establish a more sustainable and efficient production method. This study evaluates the extraction efficiency of two advanced ultrafine grinding techniques: (1) fluidized bed jet milling (FBJM) and (2) graded impact milling (GIM), alongside a traditional hand sieving method. A comprehensive analysis of the chemical composition of the extracted chitin was performed, measuring critical parameters such as moisture content, residual ash, and protein levels, while also assessing its physicochemical properties. The results demonstrate that the implementation of ultrafine grinding methods significantly enhances both the yield and purity of chitin, while also reducing raw material consumption. This highlights the potential of house crickets as a sustainable source of biomaterials. The findings provide essential theoretical insights and practical guidance for the future development and application of chitin derived from insects.