Proximate Composition of Thai and Cambodian Ready-to-Eat Insects

Abstract

Samples of ready-to-eat snacks based on Lethocerus indicus, Gymnogryllus vietnamensis, Tarbinskiellus portentosus, Teleogryllus mitratus, Bombyx mori, Omphisa fuscidentalis, and Cybister limbatus were purchased in Cambodia and Thailand, and their proximate chemical composition (including Na and Cl) was analysed. Comparing the results with the few existing references from the literature (based on unprocessed specimens), marked differences occurred. This was expected as the insect chemical composition varies strongly intra- and interspecifically due to taxon, feeding, instar, and processing, among others. In general, the insects mainly consisted of fat (35 to 60%) and protein (25 to 38%), with 2 to 16% nitrogen-free extract, 2 to 15% fibre, 3 to 5% ashes, 0.4 to 1.6% Na, and 0.6 to 1.4% Cl (dry matter base). In this way, this contribution adds to the compositional knowledge about traditional insect-based foodstuffs. The combination of high fat and protein with low carbohydrates makes them suitable to combat nutrition disorders.

The Fatty Acid Compositions, Irritation Properties, and Potential Applications of Teleogryllus mitratus Oil in Nanoemulsion Development

“…These findings were in line with a previous study by Udomsil et al (2019), which reported that G. bimaculatus yielded a higher fat content than A. domesticus, with a lipid content of 23.4 ± 0.1% and 10.4 ± 0.1% dry matter, respectively [26]. In addition, the findings about the yield of T. mitratus oil were also related to a previous study by Grabowski et al (2021), which reported a crude fat content range of 22.71% to 24.32% of dry matter for T. mitratus [27]. However, the fat yield of crickets could be varied depending on various factors, such as diet, rearing environment, and extraction methods [28][29][30].…”

Production Performance and Nutrient Conversion Efficiency of Field Cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus) in Mass-Rearing Conditions

“…However, there is still a need for further study to prove this hypothesis for crickets. This high rate of fat deposition into the cricket bodies would lead to being an appropriate food as ketogenic diets for reducing obesity [ 10 ].…”

“…Within the Orthoptera order, crickets are the most consumed insects across the globe [ 6 , 7 ]. Nowadays, there are many publications [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ] related to their nutritive values, properties for improving health, social benefits, and valuable roles in contributing to the economies of many countries and livelihoods.…”