A systematic review of nutrient composition data available for twelve commercially available edible insects, and comparison with reference values

Trends in Food Science and Technology

Volumn 47, Issue , 2016, Pages 69-77

  Payne, Charlotte L R ^a,b   Scarborough, Peter ^b   Rayner, Mike ^b   Nonaka, Kenichi ^a  

^a RIKKYO UNIVERSITY   (Japan)

^b UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD   (United Kingdom)

Author keywords

Data quality; Edible insects; Micronutrients; Nutrient composition; Systematic review

Indexed keywords

AGRICULTURE; TRACE ELEMENTS;

DATA QUALITY; EDIBLE INSECTS; MICRONUTRIENTS; NUTRIENT COMPOSITION; SYSTEMATIC REVIEW;

NUTRIENTS;

EID: 84955392791     PISSN: 09242244     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1016/j.tifs.2015.10.012     Document Type: Note

References (66)

1. Adepoju O.T., Omotayo O.A. Nutrient composition and potential contribution of winged termites (Marcrotermes bellicosus Smeathman) to micronutrient intake of consumers in Nigeria. British Journal of Applied Science & Technology 2014, 4(7):1149-1158.
2. Banjo A.D., Lawal O.A., Songonuga E.A. The nutritional value of fourteen species of edible insects in southwestern Nigeria 2006.
3. Barker D., Fitzpatrick M.P., Dierenfeld E.S. Nutrient composition of selected whole invertebrates. Zoo Biology 1998, 17:123-134.
4. Bednářová M., Borkovcová M., Mlček J., Rop O., Zeman L. Edible insects-species suitable for entomophagy under condition of Czech Republic. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae et Silviculturae Mendelianae Brunensis 2013, 61(3):587-593.
5. Belluco S., Losasso C., Maggioletti M., Alonzi C.C., Paoletti M.G., Ricci A. Edible insects in a food safety and nutritional perspective: a critical review. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety 2013, 12:296-313.
6. Boutayeb A. The double burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases in developing countries. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2006, 100:191-199.
7. Bukkens S.G. The nutritional value of edible insects. Ecology of Food and Nutrition 1997, 36:287-319.
8. Chen P., Wongsiri S., Jamyanya T., Rinderer T., Vongsamanode S., Matsuka M., et al. Honey bees and other edible insects used as human food in Thailand. American Entomologist 1998, 44:24-29.
9. Christensen D.L., Orech F.O., Mungai M.N., Larsen T., Friis H., Aagaard-Hansen J. Entomophagy among the Luo of Kenya: a potential mineral source?. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition 2006, 57:198-203.
10. Collavo A., Glew R., Huang Y., Chuang L., Bosse R., Paoletti M. House cricket small-scale farming. Ecological implications of minilivestock: Potential of insects, rodents, frogs and snails 2005, 519-544.
11. Dossey A.T. Why insects should be in your diet 2013, The Scientist Magazine.
12. Durst P.B., Johnson D.V., Leslie R.N., Shono K. Forest insects as food: Humans bite back 2010, RAP PUBLICATION, URL:. http://www.fao.org/docrep/012/i1380e/i1380e00.pdf.
13. Dzerefos C.M., Witkowski E.T.F., Toms R. Comparative ethnoentomology of edible stinkbugs in southern Africa and sustainable management considerations. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2013, 9:20.
14. Edijala J.K., Egbogbo O., Anigboro A.A. Proximate composition and cholesterol concentrations of Rhynchophorus phoenicis and Oryctes monoceros larvae subjected to different heat treatments. African Journal of Biotechnology 2009, 8(10).
15. Ekpo K.E. Nutrient composition, functional properties and anti-nutrient content of Rhynchophorus phoenicis (F) Larva. Annals of Biological Research 2010, 1(1):178-190. Available online:. http://scholarsresearchlibrary.com/ABR-vol1-iss1/ABR-2010-1-1-178-190.pdf.
16. Ekpo K.E. Effect of processing on the protein quality of four popular insects consumed in Southern Nigeria. Archives of Applied Science Research 2011, 3(6):307-326.
17. Ekpo K.E., Onigbinde A.O. Characterization of lipids in winged reproductives of the termite Macrotermis bellicosus. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 2007, 6(3):247-251.
18. Ekpo K.E., Onigbinde A.O., Asia I.O. Pharmaceutical potentials of the oils of some popular insects consumed in southern Nigeria. African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 2009, 3(2):51-57.
19. Elemo B.O., Elemo G.N., Makinde M.A., Erukainure O.L. Chemical evaluation of African palm weevil, Rhychophorus phoenicis, larvae as a food source. Journal of Insect Science 2011, 11(1):146.
20. FAO International Network of Food Data Systems (INFOODS): International food composition table/database directory 2014, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.
21. FAO INFOODS FAO/INFOODS food composition databases (website) 2014, Available online:, Accessed 14.07.14. http://www.fao.org/infoods/infoods/tables-and-databases/faoinfoods-databases/en/.
22. Finke M.D. Complete nutrient composition of commercially raised invertebrates used as food for insectivores. Zoo Biology 2002, 21(3):269-285.
23. Finke M.D. Complete nutrient content of four species of feeder insects. Zoo Biology 2013, 32(1):27-36.
24. Ghaly A.E., Alkoaik F.N. The yellow mealworm as a novel source of protein. American Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences 2009, 4(4):319-331.
25. Godfray H.C.J., Beddington J.R., Crute I.R., Haddad L., Lawrence D., Muir J.F., et al. Food security: the Challenge of feeding 9 billion people. Science 2010, 327:812-818.
26. Greenfield H., Southgate D. Food composition data. Production, management and use 2003, Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, Rome. 2nd ed.
27. Hanboonsong Y., Jamjanya T., Durst P.B. Six-legged livestock: Edible insect farming, collection and marketing in Thailand 2013.
28. Holbrook S. Eating insects: a healthy solution to food shortages 2013, US News.
29. Hope R.A., Frost P.G.H., Gardiner A., Ghazoul J. Experimental analysis of adoption of domestic mopane worm farming technology in Zimbabwe. Development Southern Africa 2009, 26:29-46.
30. Ijeomah H.M., Alagoa A.L., Ijeomah A.U. Availability and nutritional values of selected non vertebrate wildlife species in Niger Delta, Nigeria. Environment and Natural Resources Research 2013, 3(2):p10.
31. Illgner P., Nel E. The geography of edible insects in Sub-Saharan Africa: a study of the Mopane Caterpillar. The Geographical Journal 2000, 166:336-351.
32. Jongema I. List of edible insects of the world 2014, Available online:, Accessed 23.07.14. http://www.wageningenur.nl/upload_mm/8/b/7/a024c922-766e-47b9-888e-e35d7f613634_World%20list%20of%20edible%20insects%20%28Jongema%2C%202014%29.pdf.
33. Kenji G.M., Ayieko M.A., Ndong'a M.F., Tamale A., Mayende T.S., Kinyuru J.N., Okoth S. Nutrient composition of reproductives (alates) of termites (Macrotermes bellicosus and Odontermes badius) consumed in Lake Victoria region. Ethnobotany and health. Proceedings of the Cluster Workshop, Entebbe, Uganda, 4-7 September 2010 2010, 59-66. Inter-University Council for East Africa Lake Victoria Research Initiative.
34. Kinyuru J.N., Kenji G.M., Njoroge S.M., Ayieko M. Effect of processing methods on the in vitro protein digestibility and vitamin content of edible winged termite (Macrotermes subhylanus) and grasshopper (Ruspolia differens). Food and bioprocess technology 2010, 3(5):778-782.
35. McGrew W.C. The other faunivory: primate insectivory and early human diet. Meat-eating and Human Evolution 2001, 160-178.
36. Meerman J., Carisma B., Thompson B. Global, regional and subregional trends in undernourishment and malnutrition 2012, SOFA 2013 papers.
37. Millward D.J., Garnett T. Plenary lecture 3 food and the planet: nutritional dilemmas of greenhouse gas emission reductions through reduced intakes of meat and dairy foods. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 2010, 69(01):103-118.
38. Mitsuhashi J., Paoletti M. Edible insects in Japan. Ecological implications of minilivestock: Potential of insects, rodents, frogs and snails 2005, 251-262.
39. Morah F.N.I. Nutritional potential of Rhynchophorus phoenicis. Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences 1998, 4:385-388.
40. Okaraonye C.C., Ikewuchi J.C. Rhynchophorus phoenicis (F) larva meal: nutritional value and health implications. Journal of Biological Sciences 2008, 8(7):1221-1225.
41. Omotoso O.T., Adedire C.O. Nutrient composition, mineral content and the solubility of the proteins of palm weevil, Rhynchophorus phoenicis f. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Journal of Zhejiang University Science B 2007, 8(5):318-322.
42. Oseredczuk M., Westenbrink S. Report on integrated data quality evaluation system 2013, EuroFIR NEXUS.
43. Paoletti M.G. Ecological implications of minilivestock: Potential of insects, rodents, frogs and snails 2005, Science Publishers, Inc.
44. Premalatha M., Abbasi T., Abbasi T., Abbasi S. Energy-efficient food production to reduce global warming and ecodegradation: the use of edible insects. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 2011, 15:4357-4360.
45. Ramos-Elorduy J. Insects: a sustainable source of food?. Ecology of Food and Nutrition 1997, 36:247-276.
46. Raubenheimer D., Rothman J.M., Pontzer H., Simpson S.J. Macronutrient contributions of insects to the diets of hunter-gatherers: a geometric analysis. Journal of Human Evolution 2014, 71:70-76.
47. Rumpold B.A., Schluter O.K. Nutritional composition and safety aspects of edible insects. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research 2013, 57:802-823.
48. Rumpold B.A., Schlüter O.K. Nutrient composition of insects and their potential application in food and feed in Europe. Food Chain 2014, 4:129-139.
49. Salvini S., Oseredczuk M., Roe M., Moller A. Guidelines for Quality Index attribution to original data from scientific literature or reports for EuroFIR data interchange, EuroFIR Network of Excellence, D1.3.21, revised version 2009, Available online:. http://www.eurofir.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/3.-Guidelines-for-Quality-Index-attribution-to-original-data-from-Scientific-literature-or-reports-for-EuroFIR-data-interchange.pdf.
50. Siemianowska E., Kosewska A., Aljewicz M., Skibniewska K.A., Polak-Juszczak L., Jarocki A., et al. Larvae of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) as European novel food. Agricultural Sciences 2013, 4:287-291.
51. Tomotake H., Katagiri M., Yamato M. Silkworm pupae (Bombyx mori) are new sources of high quality protein and lipid. Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology 2010, 56(6):446-448.
52. Turgut S., Polat A., Inan M., Turgut G., Emmungil G., Bican M., et al. Interaction between anemia and blood levels of iron, zinc, copper, cadmium and lead in children. The Indian Journal of Pediatrics 2007, 74:827-830.
53. Ukhun M.E., Osasona M.A. Aspects of the nutritional chemistry of Macrotermis bellicosus 1985, Nutrition Reports International (USA).
54. Van Huis A. Insects as food in sub-Saharan Africa. International Journal of Tropical Insect Science 2003, 23:163-185.
55. Van Huis A. Potential of insects as food and feed in assuring food security. Annual Review of Entomology 2013, 58:563-583.
56. Van Itterbeeck J., Sivongxay N., Praxaysombath B., van Huis A. Indigenous knowledge of the edible weaver ant Oecophylla smaragdina fabricius hymenoptera: formicidae from the Vientiane Plain, Lao PDR. Ethnobiology Letters 2014, 5:4-12.
57. Vantomme P., Munke C., Van Huis A., Van Itterbeeck J., Hakman A. Insects to feed the world: Summary report 2014, Wageningen University and Research Center, Wageningen, Netherlands, Available online:. http://www.fao.org/forestry/edibleinsects/86385/en/.
58. Westenbrink S., Oseredczuk M., Castanheira I., Roe M. Food composition databases: the EuroFIR approach to develop tools to assure the quality of the data compilation process. Food Chemistry 2009, 113(3):759-767.
59. WHO Diet, nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases. WHO Technical Report Series, 916 2003, 1-60. Switzerland. URL:. http://whqlibdoc.who.int/trs/who_trs_916.pdf.
60. WHO Vitamin and Mineral requirements in human nutrition 2004, Thailand, World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Bangkok. 2nd ed.
61. WHO Protein and amino acid requirements in human nutrition. World Health Organization Technical Report Series, (935) 2007, 1.
62. WHO Guideline: Sodium intake for adults and children 2012, Organization (WHO), Geneva, World Health.
63. WHO Healthy Diet: Fact sheet No.394 2015, World Health Organization (WHO), Available online:. http://www.who.int/nutrition/publications/nutrientrequirements/healthydiet_factsheet394.pdf?ua=1.
64. Womeni H.M., Tiencheu B., Linder M., Chouatcho Nabayo E.M., Tenyang N., Tchouanguep Mbiapo F., et al. Nutritional value and effect of cooking, drying and storage process on some functional properties of Rhynchophorus phoenicis. International Journal of Life Science and Pharma Research 2012, 2(3):203-219.
65. Yi L., Lakemond C.M., Sagis L.M., Eisner-Schadler V., van Huis A., van Boekel M.A. Extraction and characterisation of protein fractions from five insect species. Food Chemistry 2013, 141(4):3341-3348.
66. Zlotkin S., Arthur P., Schauer C., Antwi K.Y., Yeung G., Piekarz A. Home-fortification with iron and zinc sprinkles or iron sprinkles alone successfully treats anemia in infants and young children. The Journal of Nutrition 2003, 133:1075-1080.