Abstract
Recently, there has been multi-agency promotion of entomophagy as an environmentally-friendly source of food for the ever increasing human population especially in the developing countries. However, food quality and safety concerns must first be addressed in this context. We addressed these concerns in the present study using the edible stink bug Encosternum delegorguei, which is widely consumed in southern Africa. We analysed for mycotoxins, and health beneficials including antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids using liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (LC-Qtof-MS) and coupled gas chromatography (GC)-MS. We also performed proximate analysis to determine nutritional components. We identified the human carcinogen mycotoxin (aflatoxin B1) at low levels in edible stink bugs that were stored in traditonally woven wooden dung smeared baskets and gunny bags previously used to store cereals. However, it was absent in insects stored in clean zip lock bags. On the other hand, we identified 10 fatty acids, of which 7 are considered essential fatty acids for human nutrition and health; 4 flavonoids and 12 amino acids of which two are considered the most limiting amino acids in cereal based diets. The edible stink bug also contained high crude protein and fats but was a poor source of minerals, except for phosphorus which was found in relatively high levels. Our results show that the edible stink bug is a nutrient- and antioxidant-rich source of food and health benefits for human consumption. As such, use of better handling and storage methods can help eliminate contamination of the edible stink bug with the carcinogen aflatoxin and ensure its safety as human food.
Highlights
To meet the growing needs of the world population, currently at 2.3% per year in Sub-Saharan Africa [1], there is need to re-evaluate the source of food and how it is produced
Samples of E. delegorguei were collected from Jiri Forest in Nerumedzo area of Bikita district, South-eastern Zimbabwe during the peak harvesting period (June, 2014) as this time of the year (May-August) consides with highest abdominal fat composition in E. delegorguei in South Africa Dzerefos et al [11]
There were no significant (P>0.05) differences in the levels of aflatoxin B1 detected in the two different treatments
Summary
To meet the growing needs of the world population, currently at 2.3% per year in Sub-Saharan Africa [1], there is need to re-evaluate the source of food and how it is produced. Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) proposed a global initiative to increase use of insects as food and feed in order to augment the current efforts to ensure future food security [2] This initiative was based on the fact that insects are consumed as food (Entomophagy) by various ethnic groups in several countries in Central and South America, Oceania, Asia and Africa [2]. They have been shown to have vital nutritional components such as proteins, amino acids, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and trace elements [2,3]. They are reported to contain important phytosterols for human health such as β-sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol [4]
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