Entomophagy in traditional healthcare practiced by indigenous communities: potential, implications and constraints

Abstract

<jats:p>Several insect species including termites, honey bees, American cockroach, grasshoppers, stink bugs, aquatic bugs, silkworms and mopane caterpillars are popularly consumed by indigenous and tribal communities in South America, sub-Saharan Africa, South-east Asia and the Pacific. Different life stages of the insects were found effective in therapeutic treatment against health disorders and life-threatening diseases. In entomophagy (process of insect eating), allergy, content of anti-nutrients, contamination of micro-organisms, chemicals and biochemical compounds, and parasitic infection are major constraints for wide adoption of entomophagy. An urgent attention of policymakers, people’s organizations and researchers is therefore needed. This review is focused on worldwide utilization of selected edible insects for therapeutic treatment wherever modern medical facilities are not readily available or indigenous people prefer traditional healers. Certain practical safety measures against anticipated health risk are also elaborated. </jats:p>

Edible Insects Processing: Traditional and Innovative Technologies

“…Entomophagy is practiced on a large scale by the tribal communities of northeastern India. More than 82 insect species in nine different orders form a major component of their main nutrient intake and are reported as a normal part of the diet (Gahukar, ).…”

Edible insects as a source of alternative protein. A review

“…The methanol extract (1 mg/ml) of muga silkworm (Antheraea assamensis Helfer) pupae with the high content of phenolic acid (11.2 mg catechin/g) and flavonoid (5.12 mg quercetin/g) shows the antioxidant and anti-genotoxic activites and provides protection against H2O2-induced DNA damage. The main functional component of the mulberry silkworm extract powder is the alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, which has the blood sugar-lowering effect and a potential in hyperglycemia inhibition in patients with diabetes [36].…”

“…In addition, they have the lipid binding function in the human gastrointestinal tract and, therefore, reduce lipid absorption in the intestine. They decrease the level of cholesterol and triglycerides in plasma and improve the HDL/total cholesterol ratio [36].…”

“…Hypothesis trying to explain the Western beliefs are varied from psychological associations between insects and diseases, death, dirtiness [36] and food contamination to neophobia. An effect of Western taboo is such that the consumer perception is the main obstacle for the entomophagy development in Western cultures [19].…”