Pseudovitamin B12 and factor S are the predominant corrinoid compounds in edible cricket products.

In this study, we determined the vitamin B12 content of commercially-available edible insect products using a bioassay based on Lactobacillus delbrueckii ATCC 7830. Although the vitamin content of giant water bug, bee larva, grasshopper, and weaver ant products was low, we found that diving beetle and cricket products contained relatively high amounts of vitamin B12 (approximately 89.5 and 65.8 µg/100 g dry weight, respectively). In the cricket products most widely circulated as foods, specific corrinoid (vitamin B12) compounds were extracted and identified using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Despite the bioassay detecting high vitamin B12 content (approximately 50-75 µg/100 g dry weight) in these cricket products, UPLC-MS/MS analysis indicated that pseudovitamin B12 and 2-methylmercaptoadenyl cobamide (also known as factor S) were actually the predominant corrinoid compounds (~74% and ~21%, respectively), with authentic vitamin B12 making up only 5% of total corrinoids.

[The efficacy of a health education activity for multi-risk workers persists in the medium run].

Recently, we reported the effectiveness of a health education activity for multi-risk workers. In this study, we investigated whether or not the efficacy of the 1-year health education program persists in the medium run. BMI, systolic blood pressure and triglyceride out of 5 items which improved significantly after a 1-year health education program, persisted after 3-5 years. Total cholesterol improved additionally while systolic blood pressure deteriorated. A gamma-GTP, which did not show betterment significantly, was enhanced after 3-5 years. The percentage of those who are following a good lifestyle regarding excise, alcohol and nutrition, increased after 3-5 years than before the education program. The efficacy of the health education activity for multi-risk workers continues in the medium run.

[An effective health education activity for multi-risk workers].

The health of factory workers is a resource of business activity. However, at present, the rate of positive findings in the periodic medical checkups of factory workers is still increasing in Japan. After a 1-year health education program, we investigated the health awareness, a behavioral survey, and the data of the periodic medical checkups of factory workers. Most survey items of physical activities and mental health were significantly improved, and those of dietary habits and knowledge of lifestyle-related diseases also had a beneficial change. As an effective result, there was an improvement in most data of the physical examinations.