Entomophagy: Insects as Food

Abstract

Due to the increasing cost of animal proteins, food and feed insecurity, population growth, and increasing need for protein-rich food in the developed and less developed countries, alternative sources of protein-rich food are highly needed. Scientific research has shown that edible insects are a very rich source of proteins and other nutrients. Hence, insect consumption might help revolutionaries' food and feed insecurity and thus replace the conventional animal source. This work assesses the potential of insects as food for humans and feed for animals and gathers existing information and research on edible insects. The assessment is based on the most recent and complete data available from various sources and experts around the world, because lack of a complete data on edible insects reduces consumer confidence and limits integration of edible insect consumption with other food sources. Considering the nutritional, economic, and ecological advantages of edible insects over conventional livestock, much attention should therefore be given to their method of collection as this will help improve their availability. This could be achieved by improved conservation or by raising them as a minilivestock. Considering the economic, nutritional, and ecological advantages of this traditional food source, its promotion deserves more attention both from national governments and assistance programs.

Nutritional Quality and Safety of Complementary Foods Developed from Blends of Staple Grains and Honey Bee Larvae (Apis mellifera)

“…However, these plant diets are inadequate in terms of protein quality hence the need to include animal proteins [ 4 ]. Also, due to the increasing cost of animal proteins, food insecurity, population growth, and increasing need for protein-rich food [ 5 ], there should find another alternative.…”

Human Consumption of Insects in Sub-Saharan Africa: Lepidoptera and Potential Species for Breeding

“…Although a 100 g portion of insects is not enough to ensure the daily vitamin needs for humans (e.g., A and C), they also contribute different vitamins (depending on species) (e.g., thiamine/B1, riboflavine/B2, pyridoxine/B6, pantothenic acid, niacin) and minerals (e.g., K, Ca, Mg, Zn, P, Fe). Their bioavailability provides a means of combating malnutrition in Africa and preventing metabolic diseases [ 4 , 22 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 ]. Because of their high nutritional value, caterpillars are sometimes mixed with flour to prepare a porridge at breakfast to combat malnutrition in children, frail people, and pregnant women [ 4 , 45 , 53 , 54 ].…”

“…Their bioavailability provides a means of combating malnutrition in Africa and preventing metabolic diseases [ 4 , 22 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 ]. Because of their high nutritional value, caterpillars are sometimes mixed with flour to prepare a porridge at breakfast to combat malnutrition in children, frail people, and pregnant women [ 4 , 45 , 53 , 54 ].…”

“…This is because demographic growth in these countries will be coupled with increasing urbanization, and a rise in the middle classes [ 1 ]. In a context of increasing scarcity of natural resources and agricultural land, the use of alternative and ecologically sustainable protein sources, including insects (e.g., Tenebrio molitor ), algae (e.g., Arthrospira platensis ), and edible mushrooms (e.g., Psathyrella tuberculate ), seems to be vital to facilitate an increase in world food production [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has identified edible insects as one key solution to food insecurity [ 6 ].…”

Entrepreneurial Potentials of Insect Farming in Nigeria

“…Insect being a candidate of the aforementioned listed properties, is blessed with a lot of untapped resources. Insect is tipped worldwide has a recognized food (Tiencheu and Womeni, 2017;Van Huis et al, 2013;Van Huis, 2015;Dobermann et al, 2017), But here in Africa, insect eating has been part of our menu for centuries (Van Huis, 2003;Adeoye et al,2014;Ebenebe and Okpoko, 2015), also insect is used has feed formulation for domestic animals ; (Karigidi, 2018) and pets (Bosc et al, 2014). The sudden awareness generated by insect as food is due to its nutritional benefit (Khalaf and Elansary, 2018)and environmental qualities (Huis and Oonincx, 2017).…”