Edible Insects in Thailand: An Overview of Status, Properties, Processing, and Utilization in the Food Industry

Abstract

Edible insects have become increasingly popular in Thailand as a nutritious and appealing alternative food source. As the edible insect industry in the country expands rapidly, efforts are being made to transform it into an economically viable sector with substantial commercial potential. Some of the most consumed and sold edible insects in Thailand include locusts, palm weevils, silkworm pupae, bamboo caterpillars, crickets, red ants, and giant water bugs. With its strong growth, Thailand has the potential to emerge as a global leader in the production and promotion of edible insect products. Edible insects are an excellent source of protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. In particular, crickets and grasshoppers are protein-rich, with the average protein content of edible insects ranging from 35 to 60 g/100 g of dry weight or 10 to 25 g/100 g of fresh weight. This surpasses the protein content of many plant-based sources. However, the hard exoskeleton of insects, which is high in chitin, can make them difficult to digest. In addition to their nutritional value, edible insects contain biologically active compounds that offer various health benefits. These include antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-collagenase, elastase-inhibitory, α-glucosidase-inhibitory, pancreatic lipase-inhibitory, antidiabetic/insulin-like/insulin-like peptide (ApILP), antidiabetic, anti-aging, and immune-enhancing properties. The Thai food industry can process and utilize edible insects in diverse ways, such as low-temperature processing, including refrigeration and freezing, traditional processing techniques, and incorporating insects into products, such as flour, protein, oil, and canned food. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the status, functional properties, processing, and utilization of edible insects in Thailand, and it serves as a valuable resource for those interested in edible insects and provides guidance for their application in various fields.

Edible black ant Smith (Carebara vidua) as human food – A systematic review

“…Furthermore, In Thailand the application of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) especially in cricket faming, mark a crucial milestone for advancing the insect farming industry and accessing global markets (Krongdang et al, 2023). The edible insects' market in Thailand also emphasizes both importing and exporting flows which highlight the productivity of the edible insects.…”

“…The edible insects' market in Thailand also emphasizes both importing and exporting flows which highlight the productivity of the edible insects. For instance, between the year 2014-2022, certain edible insects namely crickets, grasshoppers, and bamboo caterpillars were traded internationally which imports to China and Myanmar exceeded US $800,000, whereas exports to the United States, Japan, and England totaled over US $200,000 in 2022 (Krongdang et al, 2023). Gahukar (2016) demonstrated that Thailand's silkworm farming involves 137,000 households which responsible for 80% of the country's total silkworm production.…”

“…According to Krongdang et al (2023), farmer in Thailand earn over 7,000 million Baht through economic insect production with the assistance of advancing technologies and contributes to enhancing the efficiency of farmers' insect production. For instance, a wholesaler in Talad Thai market (Bangkok), sells approximately 30-40 kg of waver ants per day and make a daily profit of around THB 2,000-2,500 (Hanboonsong et al, 2013).…”

“…Moreover, Pali-Schöll et al (2019) reported that edible insects and its products are recognised as novel food and also a promising alternative food source which gained substantial global attention due to its excellent nutritional and therapeutic qualities. Besides, the commercialization and promotion of edible insects are anticipated to create profitable opportunities as well as introducing the essential nutrients into the diets of vulnerable populations (Krongdang et al, 2023). Raheem et al (2019a) revealed that in Thailand, several insect food manufacturers play a crucial role as supply chain by supplying essential ingredients like insect flour to their business collaborators in order to yield food products including pasta, ramen noodle, bakery products, and protein supplements.…”

Chemical and Nutritional Fat Profile of Acheta domesticus, Gryllus bimaculatus, Tenebrio molitor and Rhynchophorus ferrugineus

“…It is widely known that edible insects are characterized by high nutritional value, influenced by their high protein content [ 1 , 2 ]. In addition, insects are a good source of vitamins (A, B 6 , and B 12 ) and minerals (Fe, Ca, Zn, and Se) [ 2 , 3 ]. They can, therefore, serve as an alternative to traditional protein sources, especially meat [ 2 , 4 ].…”