A comprehensive evaluation of the fatty acid and mineral composition of Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (sago grub powder, SGP), pre-treated to meet New Zealand import biosecurity requirements, was investigated. Palmitic acid (42.5% FA), oleic acid (39.0% FA), and linoleic acid (1.02% FA) were the most abundant saturated fatty acid, monounsaturated fatty acid, and polyunsaturated fatty acid, respectively. Lipid nutritional indices of SGP fats were ω6/ω3 (2.17), hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic acid ratio (0.88), atherogenicity index (1.01), thrombogenicity index (1.65), and health-promoting index (0.99). Although there are no established recommended values for these dietary indicators, including them in a balanced diet may be advised to reduce the risk of adverse health effects. The mineral analysis profile of the SGP found 11 essential and 29 non-essential minerals, and 4 heavy metals. SGP was rich in important minerals such as potassium (1657 mg/kg DW), magnesium (805.3 mg/kg DW), iron (23 mg/kg DW), manganese (8.8 mg/kg DW), calcium (477 mg/kg DW), and phosphorus (2950 mg/kg DW). However, the Ca:P ratio (0.16:1) of SGP samples was lower than the recommended Ca:P ratio (1.3:1) needed for optimum bone health. Heavy metals such as arsenic (0.17 mg/kg DW), cadmium (0.04 mg/kg DW), lead (0.56 mg/kg DW), and vanadium (0.01 mg/kg DW) were detectable in SGP but were below acceptable toxicity limits. These findings indicate that SGP pre-treated for export is safe for consumption and contains appreciable nutrients, especially minerals. However, the nutritional and health implications of the elevated saturated fatty acid levels, low polyunsaturated fatty acid contents, and low Ca:P ratio of SGP should be considered when choosing sago grubs as a food source.

Edible insects have huge potential as an important alternative food and feed, and research in this area has developed considerably over the past few decades. In this study, a bibliometric analysis was conducted for the first time to provide a quantitative and visualization analysis of the trends in the edible insect research landscape. Documents on 'edible insects' OR 'insects as food' OR 'entomophagy' published from 1953 until 2021 were retrieved from the Scopus database and analyzed in terms of publication output, active journals and countries, leading authors, and institutes, and main keywords. The VOSviewer program was used to visualize trends in the bibliographic information. A total of 1376 documents were published in this time duration on the topic. Meyer-Rochow, Van Huis; Journal of Insect as Food and Feed; and Wageningen University and Research were respectively the top publishing authors, leading journals, and research institutes. Keywords analysis and categorization of studies highlighted 'food security', 'food neophobia', 'functional properties', 'food processing', and 'sustainability' as some of the main areas of interest and research trends, and that research on 'edible insects' is highly multidisciplinary. We have surmised potential 'hotspot' areas of developing research and key players and activities that can drive the research and development of edible insects for use as food. International collaborations to bridge knowledge and habit of entomophagy in many developing countries with the skills and facilities of developed countries could lead to accelerated utilization and commercialization of this food source. Graphical abstract

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