Nutritional Characteristics of Selected Insects in Uganda for Use as Alternative Protein Sources in Food and Feed

Abstract

Insects are potential ingredients for animal feed and human food. Their suitability may be influenced by species and nutritional value. This study was aimed at determining the nutritional profile of four insects: Dipterans; black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens Linnaeus) family stratiomyidae and blue calliphora flies (Calliphora vomitoria Linnaeus) family Calliphoridae; and orthopterans; crickets (Acheta domesticus Linnaeus) family Gryllidae and grasshoppers (Ruspolia nitidula Linnaeus) family Tettigoniidae to establish their potential as alternative protein sources for animals (fish and poultry) and humans. Gross energy, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, carbohydrates, and total ash were in the ranges of 2028.11–2551.61 kJ/100 g, 44.31–64.90, 0.61–46.29, 5.075–16.61, 3.43–12.27, and 3.23–8.74 g/100 g, respectively. Hermetia illucens had the highest energy and ash content; C. vomitoria were highest in protein and fiber content, R. nitidula were highest in fat, whereas A. domesticus had the highest carbohydrate content. All insects had essential amino acids required for poultry, fish, and human nutrition. The arginine to lysine ratios of H. illucens, C. vomitoria, A. domesticus, and R. nitidula were 1.45, 1.06, 1.06, and 1.45, respectively. The fatty acids comprised of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and saturated fatty acids (SFAs). Palmitic acid (23.6–38.8 g/100 g of total fat) was the most abundant SFA, exception R. nitidula with 14 g/100 g stearic acid. Linoleic acid (190–1,723 mg/100 g) and linolenic acid (650–1,903 mg/100 g) were the most abundant PUFAs. Only C. vomitoria had docosahexaenoic acid. The study indicates that the insects studied are rich in crude protein and other nutrients and can potentially be used for human and animal (fish and poultry) feeding.

Nutrient composition and bioaccumulation of an edible aquatic insect,Pantalasp. (Odonata: Libellulidae) from the rice field

“…Table 4 summarizes 22 fatty acids from three different categories, namely saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), and polyunsaturated (PUFA). Palmitic acid (C16:0) is the most abundant fatty acid in Pantala sp., which is consistent with data from the black soldier fly [40]. The second most abundant fatty acid is stearic acid (C18:0), followed by cis-9-oleic acid (C18:1n-9) and linolenic acid (C18:2n-6).…”

“…Linoleic acid was discovered in this species at a concentration of 363.33 mg/100g, which is much higher than that found in a commonly edible insect such as crickets (Acheta domesticus Linnaeus) [40]. These LA fatty acids are extremely important to humans because LA is the precursor of AA (C20:4n-6), which is the precursor of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which is also known as eicosanoids and is involved in the regulation of gene expression.…”

The Effect of Substrate on the Nutrient Content and Fatty Acid Composition of Edible Insects

“…Finally, the nutrient content of insects varies considerably between species [ 47 , 48 ]. In addition, processing methods, such as freezing, heating, or drying, but also packing, storage time, and storage conditions, can affect the chemical composition of insects [ 4 , 49 , 50 , 51 ].…”

First insights into the occurrence of pesticide residues in edible insects from sub-Saharan African countries

“…In addition, product usage and handling as prescribed by the manufacturers are often not complied with, leading to the misunderstanding of safety guidelines and the consequent direct and indirect exposure of applicators and individuals and families living adjacent to agricultural sites, respectively [7] . The population can ultimately be extensively exposed to minor quantities of pesticides through food and water, making it imperative to monitor the levels of various pesticides in foods to safeguard consumers' wellbeing [8] .…”