Insects as food and medicine: a sustainable solution for global health and environmental challenges

Aidoo, Owusu Fordjour; Osei-Owusu, Jonathan; Asante, K.O.; Dofuor, Aboagye Kwarteng; Boateng, Belinda Obenewa; Debrah, Shadrack Kwaku; Ninsin, K. D.; Siddiqui, Shahida Anusha; Chia, Shaphan Yong

doi:10.3389/fnut.2023.1113219

Cited by 21 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 125 publications

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“…The concept of insects as food and medicine being a sustainable solution for global health and environmental challenges is a trending topic in the current society 84 and, consequently, investments and research are required to fully understand their potential to promote their consumption in a challenging market in which the diversity of food sources is increasing exponentially.…”

Section: Future Perspectives and Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Edible insects as a source of biopeptides and their role in immunonutrition

Rivero-Pino,

Gonzalez-de la Rosa,

Montserrat-de la Paz

2024

Food Funct.

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Section: Future Perspectives and Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Edible insects as a source of biopeptides and their role in immunonutrition

Rivero-Pino,

Gonzalez-de la Rosa,

Montserrat-de la Paz

2024

Food Funct.

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“…The use of artificial diets has contributed to the determination and comparison of biological parameters of different insects in a standardised way. Studies using artificial diets to feed these organisms help maintain populations, mass production of insects for studies with natural enemies and insecticide products, studies of biology and ecology, and even a sustainable font for human food and medicine (Aidoo et al 2023;Cohen 2015;Parra 2009;Schneider 2009). a Silva et al (1968).…”

Section: Biological Parametersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Green cutworm Anicla ignicans (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Identity, geographical distribution, immature morphology, host plants and biology in controlled conditions

Piovesan,

Orlandin,

Carneiro

et al. 2024

Austral Entomology

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The subgenus Anicla, commonly known as green cutworms, harbours some of the owlet moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuinae), whose larvae are notable for their economic importance. Knowledge of the immature stages for this group is available for three of the nine described species. Anicla infecta Ochsenheimer, 1816 is widely distributed in the Americas and is especially abundant in agricultural ecosystems. However, in the Neotropics, its economic damage can be confused with sympatric species, including Anicla ignicans (Guenée, 1852), whose distributions overlap in most parts of the American continent. In this sense, here, the identity of A. ignicans is investigated through its geographical distribution, based on molecular and morphological data. Additionally, the morphological and behavioural traits of immature stages were described in detail, information about its geographical distribution and larval host plants was gathered, and the species' biological parameters from larvae reared on an artificial diet were determined. Anicla ignicans is distributed throughout the Neotropical region, preferably in areas with xeric and/or grass‐dominated ecosystems. The eggs present valuable characters to distinguish A. ignicans from other owlet moth species, such as the reduced number of ribs, the way the micropyle openings are arranged and the shape of the aeropyles. However, the larvae show very similar chromatic polymorphisms to other Anicla species. Although A. ignicans prefer to feed on grasses, it was observed that more than 85% of the larvae that were fed with a modified bean‐based Greene diet survived. Additionally, the percentage of time for each phase of development obtained here is very similar for the different species of Anicla, regardless of the temperature or feeding of the larvae.

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“…Novel foods including edible insects are categorised as food or ingredients that had not been consumed by humans within the European Union before May 15th, 1997, as specified by European Union legislation (Pali-Schöll et al, 2019;Imathiu, 2020). Insects are intriguing as ingredients in food and feed because they are resource-efficient, have a circular economy, and can combat climate change (Gasco et al, 2020;Aidoo et al, 2023). The antiquated food and feed rules that cover the usage of insects are a hindrance to this industry's expansion.…”

Section: Regulatory Aspects Of Black Ant Smith (Carebara Vidua) Consu...mentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Siddiqui,

Ho,

Adimulam

et al. 2024

J. Insects Food Feed

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Meeting food security is one of the major global challenges to ensure sufficient supply of food for current and future generations, considering increasing population growth and climate change issues. Consequently, the consumption of edible insects as an alternative food source has recently gained global attention for combating global food insecurity. The present review aims to provide information on the recent progress in consumption of edible black ant Smith, particularly Carebara vidua, as the main focus. The global consumption record of edible black ant Smith and consumer acceptance as well as the strategies used to increase consumer acceptance of eating edible black ant smith were proposed. In addition, the bioecology of black ant Smith was covered in this review. Further, details are provided in this review on the benefits to health, economy, and environment of practicing eating edible insects such as black ant Smith. Focus on the potential uses of Carebara vidua as a food ingredient in culinary cuisine and their safety concerns from rearing until processing were highlighted. The SCOPUS database was analysed using bibliometric software to understand the connections between recent scientific outputs and ant as human food thoroughly. BioRender software was used to create scientific figures. It is noteworthy to highlight that black ant smith contains high protein and micronutrient, especially iron and zinc are higher than that of plant-, animal-based food, and seafood that contribute significantly to meeting the daily protein and mineral intake amount for human. Moreover, the exhibition of antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of edible black ant smith suggests that it can be used as a future functional ingredients for food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics purposes. Hence, edible black ant smith is promising as an alternative and potential source of food or medicine for sustainable food security.

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Insects as food and medicine: a sustainable solution for global health and environmental challenges

Cited by 21 publications

References 125 publications

Edible insects as a source of biopeptides and their role in immunonutrition

Edible insects as a source of biopeptides and their role in immunonutrition

Green cutworm Anicla ignicans (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Identity, geographical distribution, immature morphology, host plants and biology in controlled conditions

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

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