Insect as Food: A Sustainable and Nutritious Alternative

              INSECTS AS FOOD

            Exploring Entomophagy: A Sustainable Protein Source

Insects-as-food 
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  After the looking title, you might feel like vomiting I guess, and in the situation of COVID-19 pandemic who wants to eat those types of foods and why people like to eat that, many questions come in the mind, I am also one of you totally pure vegetarian but I am curious about this and really it's important to know why insects are food for many peoples …

Let’s just start with the word “ENTOMOPHAGY "  what is it??? 

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                          Then the answer is  “The practice of consuming insects are called entomophagy” and it is estimated by FAO ( FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED STATE ) that the two billion people are used edible insects as part of their diet  and more than 1900 insect species are used as edible insects.

Consumption of insects in different countries:

                         According to the data of population each year 70 million people added to the world’s population and even if it is a COVID-19 pandemic and peoples dying from different diseases, but there are still hungry mouths and for feeding them we have to produce twice as much as the food we currently produce.

              But how??? We know that we already use 70% of agricultural land to raise livestock, In the whole world 1 billion people are chronically Hungary, and that’s why we need to buck up our ideas in order to reduce food waste and make food production more efficient, and for that one more possible solution is insects.

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                     Including India many other centuries are used to eating insects, and some of the countries with insects name that they used to eat are following,

1)  South America:  Butterfly, Grasshoppers, Crickets, Cicadas, Ants, Bees and Flies Etc.

2)   Colombia: Giant Queen Ants, Palm Grubs, and Caterpillars.

3)   Asia: Grasshopper, Silk Worm Pupa, Dragonflies, Beetles Etc.

4) India: Termite, Dragonfly, Grasshopper, Ants , Era And Mulberry Silkworm, Honeybees Etc

5)   China : Silkworm Pupa, Fly Larva, Crickets, Locust Etc.

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Consumption of insects in India :

 

       The many people and especially ethnic people of India consumed insects as food to their daily life . if you reviewed the practices of entomophagy in India revealed that about 255 species of insects are taken as food by different tribes of India.

       Insects as food are chosen by the tribe's member according to their traditional beliefs, their taste, religion, and availability according to seasonal edible insects.

Roasted insects for consumption 
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              Preparation of the edible insects for consumption involves mainly roasting or boiling .now it is also using as food additives and also for food coloring. Sometimes spices are added to enhance the taste. The practice of entomophagy is quite common among the North East India particularly among the tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland and to a lesser extent by the tribes of Meghalaya and Mizoram. Comparatively this practice is much lower (constituting about one to five insect species) among the ethnic people of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha of South and Central part of India. 

 

Some Edible Form of Insects in India example,

Red ant as chutney, termites consumed live and Dragonflies consumed Roasted or a fried body.

Nutritional value of crickets
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       NUTRIENT CONTENT OF EDIBLE INSECTS:

    Rumpold and Schlüter, 2013 stated in their research that,  The Main Components Of Insects Are Protein And Fat Followed By Fiber, Nitrogen Free Extract, A  Value   Representing Carbohydrate Other Than Fiber And Ash.

·        Fiber Content-Range From 5.1% For Termites To 13.6% For True Bugs.

·        Nitrogen Free Extract Content Varies From 4.6% For Dragonflies To 22.8% For Termites.

·        Ash  contents  2.9% for cockroaches and 10.3% for flies .

·        Energy Content Ranges From 426.3 Kcal/100 g For Grasshopper, Locusts, And Crickets  To 508.9 Kcal/100g Caterpillars.

· 

 

Protein  ( On Dry Basis )	For Termites   35.3 % To 61.3% For Crickets, Grasshopper, And Locusts.
Fat  ( On Dry Basis )	13.4%  For Grasshopper, Crickets, And Locusts To 33.4% For Beetles And  Their Larvae
Micronutrients	Consumption Of Insects Provide Significantly Amounts Of Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Zinc Etc. In Addition To Minerals Insects Can Supply Several Vitamins

 

 

       

    APPLICATION OF EDIBLE INSECTS :

                               

To satisfy the growing demand for sufficient affordable and sustainable proteins, the innovation processes are proposed related to insects that,

If we used  Insects as bio converter then  feed, food, and pharmaceutical industries are going to use ingredients from insects grown on organic waste and many companies are already using insects for ingredients and many of them making powdered insects. There are possibilities for processing insects for applications in medicine, cosmetics, alcohol, Insects are also considered as food additives etc.

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This is an opportunity for innovative modern entrepreneurs to start their own organic farming of insects. if they used this opportunity then Industry players are rapidly going to investing in R&D and marketing to capitalize on emerging trends in food & beverage sector by introducing innovative products which should boost edible insect’s market trends.

 

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         Recently published article of global market insights, according to them Edible insects market size exceeded USD 112 million, globally in 2019 and is estimated to grow at over 47% CAGR between 2019 and 2026. Increasing demand for high protein, low fat & economical food source along with shifting trends in dietary needs are likely to stimulate a market outlook.

National Chocolate-Covered Insects Day:

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Chocolate is one of the most popular among the children  adults as well as the old ones, but think you take bite of chocolate-covered with insect, then what's your reaction ….

But wait there is a one day that people of many countries celebrated that as  “October 14 is National Chocolate-Covered Insects Day"

For this, the roasted insects are covered in chocolate just like a roasted peanut with chocolate . in this ants and crickets are most of the popular variety and most of the people think that they taste like chocolate-covered popcorn.

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            The using edible insects in your daily routine life it's having their own advantages as well as disadvantages. but Entomophagy is heavily influenced by cultural and religious practices and insects are commonly consumed as a food source in many regions of the world. Insects are a highly nutritious and healthy food source with high fat, protein, vitamin, fiber, and mineral content.

           If people want to eat then let them eat insects as there own diet and all just choose healthily, stay healthy with good food and a good mood.

Conclusion: Embracing Insects for a Sustainable Future

So, there you have it, fellow food adventurers – insects as a sustainable protein source. While we acknowledge the "yuck factor" and navigate regulatory hurdles, the undeniable benefits of insect consumption are impossible to ignore. In a world where we're constantly searching for eco-friendly and nutritious alternatives, insects are emerging as a delicious and exciting option.

FAQs: Your Questions Answered

1. Are all insects safe to eat?

Not all insects are suitable for human consumption. To stay on the safe side, make sure you source your insects from reputable suppliers and follow safety guidelines. Safety always comes first.

2. Do insect-based products taste good?

Absolutely! Insect-based products can surprise your taste buds with unique and delicious flavors. Many people even compare them to nuts or seafood.

3. Are insects a complete source of protein?

While insects are a great source of protein, they may not provide all essential amino acids in ideal proportions. Mixing them with other protein sources can help you create a well-rounded diet.

4. How can I incorporate insects into my diet?

Start with insect-based products like protein bars or get creative in the kitchen by experimenting with recipes that include insects as ingredients. It's a whole new world of flavors waiting to be explored.

5. Are there any ethical concerns with insect consumption?

Ethical concerns about the treatment and harvesting of insects do exist. It's essential to choose products from suppliers with ethical and sustainable practices to support a better food future for everyone.