Nutritional Characteristics of Selected Insects in Uganda for Use as Alternative Protein Sources in Food and Feed
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Date
2019
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Insect Science
Abstract
Insects are potential ingredients for animal feed and human food. Their suitability may be influenced by species and
nutritional value. This study was aimed at determining the nutritional profile of four insects: Dipterans; black soldier
fly (Hermetia illucens Linnaeus) family stratiomyidae and blue calliphora flies (Calliphora vomitoria Linnaeus)
family Calliphoridae; and orthopterans; crickets (Acheta domesticus Linnaeus) family Gryllidae and grasshoppers
(Ruspolia nitidula Linnaeus) family Tettigoniidae to establish their potential as alternative protein sources for
animals (fish and poultry) and humans. Gross energy, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, carbohydrates, and
total ash were in the ranges of 2028.11–2551.61 kJ/100 g, 44.31–64.90, 0.61–46.29, 5.075–16.61, 3.43–12.27, and 3.23–
8.74 g/100 g, respectively. Hermetia illucens had the highest energy and ash content; C. vomitoria were highest
in protein and fiber content, R. nitidula were highest in fat, whereas A. domesticus had the highest carbohydrate
content. All insects had essential amino acids required for poultry, fish, and human nutrition. The arginine to lysine
ratios of H. illucens, C. vomitoria, A. domesticus, and R. nitidula were 1.45, 1.06, 1.06, and 1.45, respectively. The
fatty acids comprised of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and saturated fatty acids (SFAs). Palmitic acid (23.6–
38.8 g/100 g of total fat) was the most abundant SFA, exception R. nitidula with 14 g/100 g stearic acid. Linoleic acid
(190–1,723 mg/100 g) and linolenic acid (650–1,903 mg/100 g) were the most abundant PUFAs. Only C. vomitoria
had docosahexaenoic acid. The study indicates that the insects studied are rich in crude protein and other nutrients
and can potentially be used for human and animal (fish and poultry) feeding.
Description
Keywords
Insect, Nutritional value, Black soldier fly, Blue calliphora fly, Cricket
Citation
Bbosa, T., Tamale Ndagire, C., Muzira Mukisa, I., Fiaboe, K. K., & Nakimbugwe, D. (2019). Nutritional characteristics of selected insects in Uganda for use as alternative protein sources in food and feed. Journal of Insect Science, 19(6), 23. doi: 10.1093/jisesa/iez124