Purine and uric acid contents of common edible insects in Southwest China

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 293-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. He ◽  
M. Zhao ◽  
C.Y. Wang ◽  
L. Sun ◽  
Y.Y. Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Uric Acid ◽  
Southwest China ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Edible Insects ◽  
Purine Content ◽  
Potential Risks ◽  
Insects As Food ◽  
Meat Samples ◽  
Potential Food

Edible insects have recently been considered as a potential food source that may solve problems of malnutrition and starvation worldwide. However, studies exploring insects as food sources are mainly focused on entomophagy and nutrition rather than the potential risks of excessive metabolite contents, such as purine and uric acid. In this study, we analysed guanine, hypoxanthine, xanthine, adenine and uric acid concentrations in 11 species of edible insects from Yunnan and Guizhou provinces in Southwest China, including 5 species of dragonfly, 3 species of wasp and a single species of locust, mealworm and silkworm. Purine and uric acid contents differed distinctly between these insects, and guanine and xanthine were the dominant purines in all samples. The proportions of 4 purines in the total purine content of these insects differed markedly from those in meat samples from poultry and livestock, and uric acid contents varied significantly between aquatic insects and terricolous insects, such as silkworm pupa. Taken together, the present data show that most edible insects are potent food sources of purine.

Mini Livestock Ranching

2017 ◽  
pp. 188-212
Author(s):  
Dimple Singh-Ackbarali ◽  
Rohanie Maharaj
Keyword(s):  
Value Added ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Insect Species ◽  
Edible Insects ◽  
Protein Food ◽  
Small Areas ◽  
Edible Insect ◽  
Food And Feed ◽  
Insects As Food ◽  
Nutritional Profiles

The rising demand and cost of animal protein, food and feed insecurity, environmental and climatic challenges of livestock agriculture have made the option of insects as food sources a viable topic. This chapter presents existing information and research on edible insects, insect farms and value-added insect products and assesses insects as a potential source of food and feed. Mini livestock ranching where edible insect species are reared, can reduce some of the negative environmental effects of livestock agriculture as it will produce significantly less greenhouse gas emissions compared with traditional livestock and have similar nutritional profiles. Edible insect species also; have a much lower feed to meat ratio, require small areas of land and have an almost negligible water requirement. There is an untapped potential to increase access to this nutritious, climate-smart food via intensified semi-cultivation and raising insects in farming environments, developing value added products and also a potential for a significant source of income.

scholarly journals Uric Acid and Plant-Based Nutrition

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1736 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jakše ◽  
Jakše ◽  
Pajek ◽  
Pajek
Keyword(s):  
Uric Acid ◽  
Additional Data ◽  
Great Majority ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Limited Data ◽  
Acid Generation ◽  
Purine Content ◽  
Brassica Vegetables ◽  
Short And Long Term

Plant-based diets (PBDs) are associated with decreased risk of morbidity and mortality associated with important noncommunicable chronic diseases. Similar to animal-based food sources (e.g., meat, fish, and animal visceral organs), some plant-based food sources (e.g., certain soy legume products, sea vegetables, and brassica vegetables) also contain a high purine load. Suboptimally designed PBDs might consequently be associated with increased uric acid levels and gout development. Here, we review the available data on this topic, with a great majority of studies showing reduced risk of hyperuricemia and gout with vegetarian (especially lacto-vegetarian) PBDs. Additionally, type of ingested purines, fiber, vitamin C, and certain lifestyle factors work in concordance to reduce uric acid generation in PBDs. Recent limited data show that even with an exclusive PBD, uric acid concentrations remain in the normal range in short- and long-term dieters. The reasonable consumption of plant foods with a higher purine content as a part of PBDs may therefore be safely tolerated in normouricemic individuals, but additional data is needed in hyperuricemic individuals, especially those with chronic kidney disease.

Mini Livestock Ranching

2018 ◽  
pp. 278-302
Author(s):  
Dimple Singh-Ackbarali ◽  
Rohanie Maharaj
Keyword(s):  
Value Added ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Insect Species ◽  
Edible Insects ◽  
Protein Food ◽  
Small Areas ◽  
Edible Insect ◽  
Food And Feed ◽  
Insects As Food ◽  
Nutritional Profiles

The rising demand and cost of animal protein, food and feed insecurity, environmental and climatic challenges of livestock agriculture have made the option of insects as food sources a viable topic. This chapter presents existing information and research on edible insects, insect farms and value-added insect products and assesses insects as a potential source of food and feed. Mini livestock ranching where edible insect species are reared, can reduce some of the negative environmental effects of livestock agriculture as it will produce significantly less greenhouse gas emissions compared with traditional livestock and have similar nutritional profiles. Edible insect species also; have a much lower feed to meat ratio, require small areas of land and have an almost negligible water requirement. There is an untapped potential to increase access to this nutritious, climate-smart food via intensified semi-cultivation and raising insects in farming environments, developing value added products and also a potential for a significant source of income.

scholarly journals Geleceğin Protein Kaynağı Yenilebilir Böcekler

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 887-896
Author(s):  
Ayşen Baş Aksoy ◽  
Sedef Nehir El
Keyword(s):  
Negative Attitude ◽  
Essential Amino Acids ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
World Population ◽  
Edible Insects ◽  
Nutritional Properties ◽  
Protein Sources ◽  
Negative Environmental Impact ◽  
Insects As Food

Considering of the increasing world population, the researchers are aware that protein sources may not be sufficient and focused on new protein sources. For this reason, the potential of edible insects to be used directly or as an ingredient in food has started to draw attention. Edible insects have been consumed as traditional food in Africa, Asia and South America for many years. However, especially in European countries, consumers have a negative attitude towards the consumption of insects as food. Edible insects are food sources with less negative environmental impact compared to traditional animal protein sources. In addition to consuming less resources such as cultivation area, water, energy and feed, low greenhouse gas production is important for the sustainable features of the ecological system. Edible insects can be considered as a sustainable alternative food source because of their high-quality proteins, essential amino acids, fatty acids, minerals and vitamins. Research on nutritional properties shows that edible insects can be a solution both in meeting global food demand and preventing of malnutrition. In this review, edible insects were evaluated in terms of their nutritional properties.

Habitats and nutritional composition of selected edible insects in Zimbabwe

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 189-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Musundire ◽  
C.J. Zvidzai ◽  
C. Chidewe ◽  
B.K. Samende ◽  
A. Chemura
Keyword(s):  
Host Plants ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Nutritional Composition ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Edible Insects ◽  
Animal Products ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Insects As Food

Edible insects are gaining recognition as food with potential of contributing to attainment of household food security. In sub-Saharan Africa, sustainable use of insects as food is threatened by lack of data on host plants and habitatassociations. In addition, lack of nutritional data on most edible insects reduces consumer confidence and limits integration of insect consumption with other food sources. This study was undertaken to review, collate and assembledispersed information of some edible insects of Zimbabwe. Data on species identities, host plants and habitats weregathered for 14 species from reputable literature sources and Bulawayo Natural History Museum records. In addition, nutritional assessments were carried out on 10 widely consumed insects in Zimbabwe. Standard ecological samplingprocedures were used to collect insect specimens. Proximate analyses were conducted following the Association of Official Analytical Chemists standard procedures using dried pulverised material. Majority (60%) of reviewedinsects had reliable host plants and habitats records. More than half of these were recorded in agro-ecosystems. On dry matter basis, protein content ranged from 22%(Gryllotalpa africana) to 55.4% (Gonimbrasia belina); fat content ranged from 10.8% (G. africana) to 41.6% (Macrotermes natalensis). Ash content was >10% in the ground dwelling G. africana (12.6%) and Eulopida mashona larvae (10.9%). Wide species differences were recorded for carbohydrate content; 0.4% in M. natalensis and 47.2% in G. africana. Carbohydrates content was inversely relatedto protein and fat contents for all insects. Energy and fat contents were positively related in all the insects. Overall, insect species from this study have high proximate constituents that can match plant and animal products diets andcan be considered as potential viable alternative nutritious food sources. Findings from this study are expected to promote greater recognition of insects as food in Zimbabwe and encourage up-scaling of their sustainable utilisation.

Information and taste interventions for improving consumer acceptance of edible insects: a pilot study

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
E. Woolf ◽  
C. Maya ◽  
J. Yoon ◽  
S. Shertukde ◽  
T. Toia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Protein Source ◽  
Consumer Acceptance ◽  
Edible Insects ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Educational Session ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Insects As Food

Insects are a sustainable protein source with poor consumer acceptance in developed countries. An Eating Insects Conference and Tasting Demonstration was hosted with a goal of promoting consumption of edible insects. The event consisted of an educational session that provided information about entomophagy followed by a cooking and tasting demonstration of edible insects. Pre- and post-intervention surveys were conducted to assess the effect of the event on participants’ acceptance of entomophagy. Forty-three attendees completed the surveys. After attending the event, participants felt more knowledgeable about entomophagy, which positively correlated with willingness to consume edible insects. Participants who believed that entomophagy is sustainable were more willing to consume edible insects than those who did not. Although all participants consumed insects at the tasting demonstration, those with prior consumption experiences had significantly higher post-intervention willingness scores, indicating repeated exposures may be necessary for improving consumer acceptance of edible insects. The event raised awareness of using insects as food and provided useful information for developing effective interventions to promote insect consumption.

scholarly journals Forage-Fed Insects as Food and Feed Source: Opportunities and Constraints of Edible Insects in the Tropics

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Andrea Espitia Buitrago ◽  
Luis Miguel Hernández ◽  
Stefan Burkart ◽  
Neil Palmer ◽  
Juan Andrés Cardoso Arango
Keyword(s):  
Business Models ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Insect Species ◽  
Edible Insects ◽  
Adaptation To Climate Change ◽  
Tropical Forages ◽  
Insects As Food ◽  
The Tropics

Farmed insects can provide an alternative protein source for humans, livestock, and fish, while supporting adaptation to climate change, generating income for smallholder farmers, and reducing the negative impacts of conventional food production, especially in the tropics. However, the quantity, nutritional quality and safety of insects greatly relies on their feed intake. Tropical forages (grasses and legumes) can provide a valuable and yet untapped source of feed for several farmed insect species. In this perspective paper, we provide a viewpoint of how tropical forages can support edible insect production. We also highlight the potential of tropical forage-based diets over those using organic agricultural or urban by-product substrates, due to their versatility, low cost, and lower risk of microbial and chemical hazards. The main bottlenecks relate to dependence on the small number of farmed insect species, and in public policy and market frameworks regarding the use of edible insects as food, feed and in industrial processes. This perspective will serve interested stakeholders in identifying urgent issues at the research, ethical, marketing and policy levels that can prevent the emergence of new, insect-based value chains and business models, and the nutritional, economic and environmental benefits they promise.

Evaluation of the potential risks of heavy metal contamination in rice paddy soils around an abandoned Hg mine area in Southwest China

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bayou Adlane ◽  
Zhidong Xu ◽  
Xiaohang Xu ◽  
Longchao Liang ◽  
Jialiang Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Metal Contamination ◽  
Southwest China ◽  
Heavy Metal Contamination ◽  
Rice Paddy ◽  
Paddy Soils ◽  
Mine Area ◽  
Potential Risks ◽  
Rice Paddy Soils

scholarly journals Consumers’ Attitudes Facing Entomophagy: Polish Case Perspectives

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (7) ◽  
pp. 2427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Orkusz ◽  
Wioletta Wolańska ◽  
Joanna Harasym ◽  
Arkadiusz Piwowar ◽  
Magdalena Kapelko
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Value ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Edible Insects ◽  
Psychological Barriers ◽  
Edible Insect ◽  
Meat Substitute ◽  
Willingness To Adopt ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
Insects As Food

Based on high nutritional value and low production costs, edible insects are an excellent and sustainable source of animal proteins. However, completely replacing meat with edible insects requires a change in consumer mentality not only in Poland, but also in other European countries. In western countries, most people reject eating insects, mainly for cultural reasons. Concerning this, the objective of the study was to examine the knowledge, behavior, and attitudes of the Polish community about edible insects and to understand the main factors driving edible insect consumption. The study was held at the Wroclaw University of Economics and Business, Poland and consisted of two parts: The survey (among 464 students) and the tasting session (among 402 participants). The main findings suggest that there is low willingness to adopt edible insects as a meat substitute among Polish students due to the psychological barriers, such as neophobia and disgust. However, the willingness to eat processed insect food (bread, biscuit) is far higher than for unprocessed whole insects. Environmental benefits are the factors that least affected students’ willingness to try edible insects. Additionally, the tasting session of the bread with powdered insects was attended by the vast majority of participants, which indicates that a positive sensory experience can improve the acceptability of insects as food.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document