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Exploration of edible insects as sustainable alternative nutrient-dense sources such as nutraceuticals have attracted more and more global attention recently. However, research on wood borer beetles have largely been overlooked. This study assessed the entomo-chemical properties of Titoceres jaspideus (Cerambycidae) and Passalus punctiger (Passalidae), which are widely consumed in many African countries, including Kenya. The crude protein content of the beetle larvae ranged between 27.5–39.8 mg BSA/g. In comparison with those of cereals, amino acids such as lysine (7.9–9.9 mg/g), methionine (0.48–0.64 mg/g) and threonine (2.31–2.55 mg/g) were considerably high in the larvae. Methyl-5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z-eicosatetraenoate and methyl-9Z-octadecenoate were the predominant polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, respectively. High total phenols (>4.4 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (>3.6 mg QE/g) and anti-oxidative activities (>67%) were recorded for both larvae. This implies that increasing the consumption of wood-borer beetle larvae would positively impact the state of the natural environment and reduce the problem of malnutrition in the society. Thus, applying these strategies to develop insect food in a more familiar form can help to make insect-enriched foods more appealing to consumers, facilitating their widespread adoption as a sustainable and nutritious food source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Implications Insect farming for feed and food is rapidly expanding, with new registered farms emerging each day in Africa. Literature was sourced from internationally recommended online data bases such as Scopus, Web of Science, and Google scholar using the following search items: edible insect farming, production scale, edible insect processing techniques, nutritional composition, safety quality and application and legislation on edible insects in Africa. Realization of food safety regulations on edible insects has been hampered by a wide array of factors such as limited compliance with international agreements on food safety and quality standards; inadequate enforcement of local, regional and international standards and global best practices; lack of large-scale industrial production of insects to supply and meet the growing demand by the food and feed sector; low quantities of insects consumed; limited data on insects' safety and inadequate resources to facilitate scientific risk assessment and upgrading of food safety regulatory systems ([39]; [30]). Methodology Figure 1 illustrates the use of mixed methods approach to generate evidence-based data on the emerging edible insect sector in Africa through in-depth literature review, mapping the status of insect farming companies, survey on production scale and collation of I icipe i 's experiences on edible insect research and their applications. [Extracted from the article]

Simple Summary: Despite edible insects being possible future food sources, studies on the nutritional properties of some of the insects are still limited. Gonimbrasia cocaulti (GC), a saturniid caterpillar, is a delicacy in some communities in Africa, yet there is no information on its nutrition profile to provide insight on their contribution to rural household nutrition. This study provides in-depth knowledge on the nutritional composition of the edible larval stage of G. cocaulti and the pupal life stages of the domestic silkworm (Bombyx mori) and Eri silkworm (Samia Cynthia ricini). The results showed that the edible stage of GC had significantly high levels of linoleic acid, minerals (Ca, Fe, K), vitamins (B6, B9, B12, α-tocopherol) and crude fiber. The crude protein content of the larval and pupal stages of the various insects ranged between 50 and 62%. It is evident that the developmental life stage of GC and silkworms have adequate nutrients that could allow them to be utilized as ingredients in food fortification. This study aimed to provide information on the nutrients of the edible larval stage of Gonimbrasia cocaulti (GC) for the first time, while exploring the potential nutrient content of the pupal life stages of the domestic silkworm (Bombyx mori; BM) and the Eri silkworm (Samia Cynthia ricini; SC). The three insects were analyzed for fatty acids, minerals, proximate composition and vitamins. Among the fatty acids, linoleic, a polyunsaturated fatty acid, was approximately threefold higher in GC than in the silkworms. The Ca, Fe and K contents were highest in GC. However, the Zn and Na contents were highest in BM, while Mg content was predominant in SC. The crude protein content of the various developmental life stages of the edible caterpillars and pupae ranged between 50 and 62%. Further, the fiber content of GC was substantially higher compared to the pupal stages of the two silkworm species. The vitamin (B6, B9, B12 and α-tocopherol) levels of the two insect life stages were considerably high. These insects are comparably rich in nutrients with potential suitability to be utilized in food fortification and thus ease pressure on the over-reliance on animal and plant-based sources, which are becoming unsustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, there is growing interest to recycle organic waste using insect larvae into high-quality frass fertilizer through circular economy approach. This paper presents the first comparative report on the nutrient concentrations, fertilizing indices, nutrient supply potentials and compost maturity of nine edible insect frass fertilizers. Our results revealed that frass fertilizers from all the insect species had adequate concentrations and contents of macronutrients [nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K)], secondary nutrients (calcium, magnesium, and sulphur) and micro-nutrients (manganese, copper, iron, zinc, boron, and sodium). The fertilizing indices of the frass fertilizers were above 3. However, black soldier fly (BSF) frass fertilizer had significantly higher N (20–130%) and K (17–193%) concentrations compared to others. The P concentration of Gryllus bimaculatus frass fertilizer was 3–800% higher compared to those of frass fertilizers from other insect species. The potential N and K supply capacities of BSF frass fertilizer was 19–78% and 16–190% higher, respectively. The P supply capacity of cricket frass fertilizer was 17–802% higher compared to others. The highest seed gemination rate (> 90%) and germination index (267%) were observed in seeds treated with BSF frass fertilizer. Frass fertilizer obtained from the other eight insect species showed medium to high phytotoxicity. These findings demonstrate that insect frass fertilizers are promising alternatives to existing commercial fertilizers (i.e., mineral, and organic) for improved soil health and crop yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Edible insects are increasingly being considered as sustainable alternatives to fish and soybean meals in animal feed because of their high nutritional quality and environmental benefits. However, successful introduction of a new product to the market depends on the target user's acceptance. Thus, evaluating the potential demand of insect-based feeds would provide relevant information for policy development. The present study assessed farmers' knowledge on edible insects as feed, their acceptance of integrating insect meals in animal feeds and willingness to pay (WTP) for insect-based feed (IBF) using a contingent valuation method. A household survey was conducted among 957 randomly selected farmers including: 409 poultry, 241 fish and 307 pig farmers in four counties in Kenya. Results of the study reveal that over 70 and 80% of poultry and fish farmers, respectively, are aware that insects can be used as a feed ingredient. In addition, over 60 and 75% of poultry and fish farmers, respectively, consider insects as a good component of feed. Poultry, pig and fish farmers interviewed accepted and showed willingness to pay for IBF. Regression analysis indicated that age, gender, education, marital status, distance to feed trader, awareness of insects as feed, attitude towards insects, acceptance of insect species, availability of agricultural inputs, use of commercial feeds, availability of training and market information had a significant influence on the WTP for IBF. Therefore, increased extension services to educate famers on the nutritional benefits of insect meals in animal feeds and existing market opportunities are expected to improve farmers' attitude towards utilization and consequently enhance WTP for IBF, which in return would significantly reduce the existing pressure on conventional fishmeal feed resources. Our findings provide the first insights into the market opportunities of including insect meals in the animal feed value chain in Kenya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Simple Summary: Edible insects are a traditional food source with economic benefits in sub-Saharan Africa. Caterpillars are the most popular edible insects in this region. We focus on caterpillars in the family Saturniidae. Saturniids are big colorful caterpillars with spines on their bodies, usually found in shrubs and trees. They are rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Despite their economic importance, little is known about their diversity, host plants, distribution, and potential effect of climate change on edible saturniid caterpillars in Africa. The aim of this study is to identify edible saturniids, their host plants, their current distribution and to predict the possible effects of climate change on their distribution. We documented seven species of edible saturniids namely Gonimbrasia zambesina, Gonimbrasia krucki, Bunaea alcinoe, Gonimbrasia cocaulti, Gonimbrasia belina, Gynanisa nigra and Cirina forda. These caterpillars mostly occur twice a year during the rainy seasons and feed on specific host plants. Predictive distribution models revealed that B. alcinoe, and C. forda are mostly found in tropical and sub-tropical regions in Africa. However, climate change could cause a slight decrease in their population by the year 2050. This information will guide conservation efforts and ensure sustainable use of edible saturniid caterpillars as food. The promotion of edible insects, including saturniid caterpillars as potential food source is widely gaining momentum. They are adequately rich in nutrients such as proteins, amino acids, fatty acids, and micronutrients. Despite saturniids being a traditional food source with economic benefits, information on their diversity, host plants and their potential distribution in Africa are lacking, which this study seeks to address. Edible saturniids and their host plants were characterized using specific primers (LepF1/LepR1 and 3F_KIM_F/1R_KIM_R, respectively). Maximum entropy (MaxENT) and GARP (genetic algorithm for ruleset production) models were used to characterize the potential distribution of commonly consumed saturniids under current and future climate scenarios. Seven species of saturniids were recorded from 11 host plants in Kenya: Gonimbrasia zambesina, Gonimbrasia krucki, Bunaea alcinoe, Gonimbrasia cocaulti, Gonimbrasia belina, Gynanisa nigra and Cirina forda. Two morphotypes of G. zambesina and B. alcinoe were recorded. These saturniid caterpillars occur twice a year except for G. cocaulti. Predictive models revealed that tropical and subtropical regions were potentially suitable for B. alcinoe and C. forda. The information generated from this study would be important to guide conservation efforts and their sustainable utilization as food in Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need for easily biodegradable and less toxic chemicals in drug development and pest control continues to fuel the exploration and discovery of new natural molecules. Like certain plants, some insects can also respond rapidly to microbial infections by producing a plethora of immune-induced molecules that include antibacterial and antifungal peptides/polypeptides (AMPs), among other structurally diverse small molecules. The recent recognition that new natural product-derived scaffolds are urgently needed to tackle life-threatening pathogenic infections has been prompted by the health threats posed by multidrug resistance. Although many researchers have concentrated on the discovery of AMPs, surprisingly, edible insect-produced AMPs/small molecules have received little attention. This review will discuss the recent advances in the identification and bioactivity analysis of insect AMPs, with a focus on small molecules associated with the microbiota of selected African edible insects. These molecules could be used as templates for developing next-generation drugs to combat multidrug-resistant pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, there is growing interest to integrate insect-derived ingredients into food products. Knowledge of consumer perception to these food products is growing rapidly in the literature, but similar knowledge on the use of oils from African edible insects remains to be established. In this study, we (1) compared the chemistry of the oils from two commonly consumed grasshoppers, the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria and the African bush-cricket Ruspolia differens with those of olive and sesame oils; (2) compared the proximate composition of a baked product (cookie) prepared from the oils; (3) identified the potential volatiles and fatty acids contributing to the aroma and taste; and (4) examined acceptance and willingness to pay (WTP) for the baked product among consumers with no previous experience of entomophagy. Our results showed that the insect oils were compositionally richer in omega-3 fatty acids, flavonoids, and vitamin E than the plant oils. Proximate analysis and volatile chemistry revealed that differences in aroma and taste of the cookies were associated with their sources of oils. Consumers' acceptance was high for cookies prepared with R. differens (95%) and sesame (89%) oils compared to those with olive and S. gregaria oils. Notably, cookies prepared with insect oils had more than 50% dislike in aroma and taste. Consumers' willingness to pay for cookies prepared with insect oils was 6–8 times higher than for cookies containing olive oil, but 3–4 times lower than cookies containing sesame oil. Our findings show that integrating edible insect oils into cookies, entices people to "take the first step" in entomophagy by decreasing insect-based food products neophobia, thereby, contributing to consumers' acceptance of the baked products. However, future research should explore the use of refined or flavored insect oils for bakery products to reduce off-flavors that might have been perceived in the formulated food products [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Edible insects have long been part of human diets in some countries, and they are expected to become an important alternative food source because of their nutritional value and favorable environmental impact. However, insects' consumption safety and consumer acceptance are still significant barriers to market positioning, mainly in Western regions. Therefore, several processing technologies have been applied to develop insect-based food products and derivatives to increase consumer safety, shelf-life, and sensorial properties, including appearance. The processing pathway for insects as food might then be focused on eliminating such concerns. However, even though there is enough information related to processing techniques for edible insects, the use of the treated material has been limited as a substitute rather than a main constituted nutritional component. Moreover, there is little information about novel technologies and uses of insect derivatives compared to the minimally processed insect, as in the case of flours. This review presents the food safety (biological and chemical hazards) and cultural aspects of difficulties of eating insects and the role of processing raw material, extraction of insect derivatives (lipids and proteins), and food prototypes development on safety and consumer acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]