TY - JOUR

T1 - Nutritional qualities and enhancement of edible insects

AU - van Huis, Arnold

AU - Rumpold, Birgit

AU - Maya, Cassandra

AU - Roos, Nanna

N1 - CURIS 2021 NEXS 231

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - Over the last decade, the urgency to find alternative and sustainable protein sources has prompted an exponential increase in the interest in insects as a human food source. Edible insects contribute suitable amounts of energy and protein, fatty acids, and micronutrients to the human diet. Nutritional values of insects can be manipulated to meet specific needs. Edible insects in food-insecure countries can contribute to improving diets and preventing undernutrition. Bioactive compounds in insects may reduce health risks. Food safety risks are low and mainly relate to those of allergenicity. Strategies to overcome barriers to the consumption of insect products include emphasizing their sustainability, increasing their tastiness, and developing the ability to disguise insects in familiar products. A new sector of insects as food and feed is emerging. Major challenges include legislation, lowering prices by automation and cheap substrates, developing insect products that appeal to consumers, and exploring the health benefits.

AB - Over the last decade, the urgency to find alternative and sustainable protein sources has prompted an exponential increase in the interest in insects as a human food source. Edible insects contribute suitable amounts of energy and protein, fatty acids, and micronutrients to the human diet. Nutritional values of insects can be manipulated to meet specific needs. Edible insects in food-insecure countries can contribute to improving diets and preventing undernutrition. Bioactive compounds in insects may reduce health risks. Food safety risks are low and mainly relate to those of allergenicity. Strategies to overcome barriers to the consumption of insect products include emphasizing their sustainability, increasing their tastiness, and developing the ability to disguise insects in familiar products. A new sector of insects as food and feed is emerging. Major challenges include legislation, lowering prices by automation and cheap substrates, developing insect products that appeal to consumers, and exploring the health benefits.

KW - Faculty of Science

KW - Edible insects

KW - Entomophagy

KW - Alternative proteins

KW - Health

KW - Food safety

KW - Consumer attitutes

U2 - 10.1146/annurev-nutr-041520-010856

DO - 10.1146/annurev-nutr-041520-010856

M3 - Review

C2 - 34186013

VL - 41

SP - 551

EP - 576

JO - Annual Review of Nutrition

JF - Annual Review of Nutrition

SN - 0199-9885

ER -