Changes in the Concentration of Certain Amino Acids in Homogenates of the Yellow Mealworm, Tenebrio molitor, During Aging1

A chromatographic study of amino acids separated from homogenates of adult yellow mealworms, Tenebrio molitor L., of different ages obtained from young and old parents showed that methionine, phenylalanine, tryptophane, and tyrosine decreased during aging in each parental age group. Except for methionine, the changes were greater in beetles from old, than in those from young, parents. The decreases in phenylalanine and tyrosine probably are associated with cuticular pigmentation, and in tryptophane with ommochrome pigments of the eye and other structures. Methionine may be converted to cysteine which may bind free radicals. Its decrease may be concerned with changes associated with aging. Alanine, lysine, proline, threonine, and valine did not show changes which could be associated with aging or with parental age.