User:EaglesEyes1/Insects as food

Article: Insects as food

Lead
Insects as food or edible insects are insect species used for human consumption. It is estimated that more than 2 billion people eat insects daily. More than 2,000 insects species worldwide are considered edible. However, a much smaller number is discussed for industrialized mass production and partly regionally authorized for use in food. Insects are commonly consumed whole or pulverized for use in dishes and processed food products such as burger patties, pasta, or snacks.

Frequently consumed insect species
Consumption of 2096 different insect species by humans have been documented (2111 if spiders are included). This tally includes 696 species of beetles, 362 butterflies and moths (typically consumed as caterpillars), 321 bees, wasps, and ants, 278 grasshoppers, locusts, crickets, 237 cicadas, leafhoppers, planthoppers, scale insects, and true bugs, 239 grasshoppers, 61 dragonflies, 59 termites and cockroaches, and 37 flies.

The table below ranks insect order by percentage of overall insect species consumed by humans and presents each insect order's percentage of known insect species. With the exceptions of orders Orthoptera and Diptera, there is close alignment between species diversity and consumption, suggesting that humans tend to eat those insects that are most available.

Geography of Insect Consumption
Insect species consumption varies by region due to differences in environment, ecosystems, and climate. The number of insect species consumed by country is highest in equatorial and sub-tropical regions, a reflection of greater insect abundance and biodiversity observed at lower latitudes and their year-round availability.

For a list of edible insects consumed locally see: List of edible insects by country.

Nutritional profile
Insects are nutrient-efficient compared to other meat sources. Some insects (e.g. crickets, mealworms) are a source of complete protein and provide similar essential amino acid levels as soybeans, though less than casein. They have dietary fiber, essential minerals, vitamins such as B12, riboflavin and vitamin A, and include mostly unsaturated fat.

Locusts contain between 8 and 20 milligrams of iron for every 100 grams of raw locust, whereas beef contains roughly 6 milligrams of iron in the same amount of meat. Crickets are also very efficient in terms of nutrients. For every 100 grams of substance crickets contain 12.9 grams of protein, 121 calories, and 5.5 grams of fat. Beef contains more protein, containing 23.5 grams in 100 grams of substance, but also has roughly triple the calories and four times the amount of fat as crickets do in 100 grams.

Organoleptic characteristics
The organoleptic characteristics of edible insects vary between species and are influenced by environment. For instance, aquatic edible insects such as water boatmen (family Corixidae) and dragonfly larvae have a fish flavor, while diving beetles taste like clams. Environment is not always a predictor of flavor, as terrestrial edible insects may also exhibit fish-like flavors (e.g. crickets, grasshoppers). Over 400 volatile compounds responsible for the aroma and flavor of edible insects have been identified. Pheromone chemicals contribute to pungent aromas and flavors in some species and the presence of organic acids (like formic acid in ants) makes some species taste sour. Organoleptic characteristics are dependent on the development stage of the insect (egg, larva, pupa, nymph, or adult) and may change significantly as an insect matures. For example, texture can change from soft to crunchy as an insect develops from larva to adult due to increasing exoskeletal chitin. Cooking method is considered the strongest influence on the final flavor of edible insects. Wet-cooking methods such as scalding or steaming, remove pheromones and odor compounds, resulting in a milder flavor, while dry-cooking methods such as frying and roasting, introduce more complex flavors.

The table below provides common flavor descriptors for a selection of edible insects. Flavors will vary with preparation method (e.g. raw, dried, fried, etc.). Insect development stage is provided when possible.

Insect food products

 * Mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) as larvae
 * Lesser mealworms (Alphitobius diaperinus) as larvae, mostly marketed under the term buffalo worms.
 * Superworm (Zophobas morio)InPact_Protein_Pancakes_Strawberries.jpg]]
 * House cricket (Acheta domesticus)
 * Two-spotted cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus)
 * Jamaican field cricket (Gryllus assimilis)
 * Tropical house cricket (Gryllodes sigillatus)
 * European migratory locust (Locusta migratoria)
 * Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens)
 * Housefly (Musca domestica)

Challenges and safety concerns (ORIGINAL)
There are some potential challenges caused by production and safety concerns.

Mass production in the insect industry is a concern due to a lack of technology and funds to efficiently harvest and produce insects. The machinery would have to house proper enclosure for each life cycle of the insect as well as the temperature control as that is key for insect development.

The industry also has to consider the shelf life of insects in comparison to animal products as that can have some food safety concerns. Insects have the capability of accumulating potential hazards, such as contaminants, pathogens, the concentration of heavy metals, allergens, and pesticides etc.

The table below combined the data from two studies published in Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety and summarized the potential hazards of the top five insect species consumed by humans. Hazards in insects that are shown above can be controlled by various ways. Allergic hazards can be labelled on the package to avoid consumption by allergy-susceptible consumers. Selective farming can be used to minimize chemical hazards, whereas microbial and parasitical hazards can be controlled by cooking processes.

Challenges and safety concerns (REVISING)
There are challenges and potential safety concerns associated with the production, processing, and consumption of insects as food.

Like other foods, the consumption of insects can present health risks stemming from biological, toxicological, and allergenic hazards. Food safety hazards associated with edible insects are summarized in the diagram below. Insect species, growth stage, and the methods of production and processing are key determinants of the likelihood for food safety hazards in edible insects. In general, insects harvested from the wild pose a greater risk than farmed insects, and insects consumed raw pose a greater risk than insects that are cooked before consumption. Feed substrate and growing conditions are the main factors influencing the microbiological and chemical hazards of farmed insects.

The table below combines data from two studies summarizing the potential hazards of the top five insect orders consumed by humans. The hazards identified in the above table can be controlled in various ways. Allergens can be labelled on the package to avoid consumption by allergy-susceptible consumers. Selective farming can be used to minimize chemical hazards, whereas microbial and parasitical hazards can be controlled by cooking processes.

Challenges (Reorganizing headings, revising, and adding content)
There are challenges associated with the production, processing, and consumption of insects as food.

Production
Mass production in the insect industry is a concern due to a lack of technology and funds to efficiently harvest and produce insects. The machinery would have to house proper enclosure for each life cycle of the insect as well as the temperature control as that is key for insect development.

Processing
The availability of wild-harvested insects can be seasonally dependent. This presents a challenge, as many wild-harvested insects have a short shelf life, sometimes of only a day or two. Identifying methods of processing and storing insects so that they may be enjoyed throughout the year will maximize the benefits of wild-sourced edible insects.