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Nutritional Composition of Edible Insects Consumed in Africa: A Systematic Review.

ABSTRACT: Edible insects are an important protein rich natural resource that can contribute to resilient food security. Edible insects not only play an important role in traditional diets, but are also an excellent source of protein in traditional dishes in Africa. We systematically searched Web-of-Science and Google Scholar from year 2000-2019 for studies on the consumption of insects and their nutritional composition in Africa, resulting in 98 eligible papers, listing 212 edible insect species from eight orders. These insects were rich in protein, fats, and fibre. The highest protein content was reported for Lepidoptera (range: 20-80%). Coleoptera had the highest carbohydrate content (7-54%), while Lepidoptera had the highest fat content (10-50%). Considering the excellent source of nutrition, and potential socio-economic benefits, from edible insects, they can contribute strongly to improved food security, and rural development in developing countries. In addition, edible insects can be used as a sustainable food source to combat food shortages in the future, for example, providing resilience during times of drought or other climate stressors.

SUBMITTER: Hlongwane ZT

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7551454 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Nutritional Composition of Edible Insects Consumed in Africa: A Systematic Review.

Hlongwane Zabentungwa T ZT Slotow Rob R Munyai Thinandavha C TC

Nutrients 20200911 9

Edible insects are an important protein rich natural resource that can contribute to resilient food security. Edible insects not only play an important role in traditional diets, but are also an excellent source of protein in traditional dishes in Africa. We systematically searched Web-of-Science and Google Scholar from year 2000-2019 for studies on the consumption of insects and their nutritional composition in Africa, resulting in 98 eligible papers, listing 212 edible insect species from eigh ...[more]

PMID: 32933038

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Project description:Simple Summary The search of new sustainably produced protein sources for food and feed is vigorously under investigation. One promising possibility is to increase the use of edible insects as a part of our diet. The nutrient content of edible insects, in particular, a high content of good quality protein and unsaturated fatty acids with essential fatty acids, is an important health aspect when screening the most potential insect species for human consumption. Based on this review, the substrate affects the nutrient content of insects. Moreover, our correlation calculations demonstrated that the fatty acid content of the substrate influences the nutritional value of insects. In general, high content of unsaturated fatty acids in the substrate increased the amount of unsaturated fatty acids in insects. For example, the content of essential fatty acids, linoleic and alpha linolenic acids, can be raised by feeding insects with modified substrate. Thus, edible insects can be a healthy protein source to ease the increased demand for high quality food. Abstract Demand for new food sources and production methods is increasing due to overall population growth, as well as the aim towards more sustainable use of natural resources and circular economy. Edible insects already used in many parts of the world have recently attracted interest as a new protein source in Europe, and novel food acceptance procedures are ongoing in the European Union for several insect species. In this paper, the effects of substate on the nutritional value, especially the fatty acid composition, of edible insects were reviewed and correlation calculations performed. The nutritional value of edible insects is an important health aspect, in particular, a high content of good-quality protein and unsaturated fatty acids with essential fatty acids, and an optimal fatty acid n6/n3 ratio. On the basis of our findings, the nutrient content of insects can be modified by using a feed substrate carefully designed for each individual insect species. In addition, our correlation calculations demonstrated that the contents of linoleic and alpha linolenic acids in insects reflected the contents of these acids in the substrate. In conclusion, optimizing the composition and structure of the substrate and rearing conditions and duration for each insect species might also aid standardization of the nutritional composition of edible insects.

Project description:BackgroundWild edible herbs have historically been used as local nutritional and medicinal sources. These plants grow spontaneously, depending on the season. They adapt well to different edaphoclimatic conditions, generating a diversity constituent beneficial to health. They impart compounds needed in the human diet in regard to macro and micronutrients. When consumed raw, they keep their properties intact and provide health benefits. Five undervalued edible plants: Stellaria media (L.) Vill, Tropaeolum majus L., Sonchus oleraceus L., Chenopodium album L. and Diplotaxis erucoides (L.) DC are characteristic of the autumn-winter season in the Valencian coastal region and could have new sustainable agro-ecological potential for the local commercial sector. However, little information is available from the nutritional quality and bioactive composition viewpoint for these species. Concurrently, the volatiles compounds profiles describing the characteristic flavors are unknown.MethodsNutritional characteristics, bioactive compounds, and other chemical components of the fresh leaves were analyzed. In addition, the volatiles composite profile was performed. The analyzed species come from the soil reservoir; their wild growth is adjusted to the autumn season. The proximate analysis was carried out by Association of Official Analytical Chemists methods. Total antioxidants were measured as 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrzyl hydrate (DPPH) and total polyphenols content via the Folin-Ciocalteu procedure. Volatiles profile was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The vegetative part analyzed was the tender leaves with edible potential.ResultsA high variability has been obtained in the composition of the species studied. The proximate analysis found a considerable content of fiber (1.22-5.4 g·100 g-1), potassium (157.7-1,250.6 mg·100 g-1), iron (0.6-2.0 mg·100 g-1), and a low caloric value (16.1-43.02 kcal·mg·100 g-1). In bioactive compounds analysis, a high level of antioxidants was highlighted (1,604.3-4,874.6 μmol·100 g-1), followed by chlorophylls. Volatiles profile revealed that the species were rich in benzenoids (33.8-89.9%) as the majority family. The pyrazines class was characteristic only in D. erucoides L.DiscussionFresh edible leaves of the undervalued plants show considerable nutritional potential and a high bioactive components level, which highlight the antioxidant capacity. Leaves of C. album L. stand out due to their higher concentration of nutritional compounds, while D. erucoides L. is noted for its higher antioxidant capacity. Aromatic descriptor of pyrazines detected in the leaves of D. erucoides L. is associated with the slightly spicy flavors that characterize this species. Results suggest that studied species could be of great relevance in introducing these five edible herbs as a source of new grown material, postulating them as healthy food ingredients with attractive flavors for the gourmet cuisine industry.

Project description:Background: Undernutrition is a prevalent, serious, and growing concern, particularly in developing countries. Entomophagy-the human consumption of edible insects, is a historical and culturally established practice in many regions. Increasing consumption of nutritious insect meal is a possible combative strategy and can promote sustainable food security. However, the nutritional literature frequently lacks consensus, with interspecific differences in the nutrient content of edible insects generally being poorly resolved. Aims and methods: Here we present full proximate and fatty acid profiles for five edible insect species of socio-economic importance in West Africa: Hermetia illucens (black soldier fly), Musca domestica (house fly), Rhynchophorus phoenicis (African palm weevil), Cirina butyrospermi (shea tree caterpillar), and Macrotermes bellicosus (African termite). These original profiles, which can be used in future research, are combined with literature-derived proximate, fatty acid, and amino acid profiles to analyse interspecific differences in nutrient content. Results: Interspecific differences in ash (minerals), crude protein, and crude fat contents were substantial. Highest ash content was found in H. illucens and M. domestica (~10 and 7.5% of dry matter, respectively), highest crude protein was found in C. butyrospermi and M. domestica (~60% of dry matter), whilst highest crude fat was found in R. phoenicis (~55% of dry matter). The fatty acid profile of H. illucens was differentiated from the other four species, forming its own cluster in a principal component analysis characterized by high saturated fatty acid content. Cirina butyrospermi had by far the highest poly-unsaturated fatty acid content at around 35% of its total fatty acids, with α-linolenic acid particularly represented. Amino acid analyses revealed that all five species sufficiently met human essential amino acid requirements, although C. butyrospermi was slightly limited in leucine and methionine content. Discussion: The nutritional profiles of these five edible insect species compare favorably to beef and can meet human requirements, promoting entomophagy's utility in combatting undernutrition. In particular, C. butyrospermi may provide a source of essential poly-unsaturated fatty acids, bringing many health benefits. This, along with its high protein content, indicates that this species is worthy of more attention in the nutritional literature, which has thus-far been lacking.

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Nutritional Composition of Edible Insects Consumed in Africa: A Systematic Review.

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Nutritional Composition of Edible Insects Consumed in Africa: A Systematic Review.

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