Abstract
Solanum torvum (STO) and edible insects are potential dietary approaches to prevent malnutrition. Hence, we determined the effect of STO and insect powders on improving nutritional status in malnourished rats. Malnutrition was induced in rats by feeding 5% protein, ~2 ppm Fe (LPI) diet for 21 days. During the 14 day repletion, five groups of rats (n = 8) were fed diets supplemented with Acheta domesticus (cricket, ADO), Rhynchophorus phoenicis fabricius (palm weevil larvae, RFA), STO, ADO + STO (TAD), and casein + ferrous sulfate (PIS, positive control), as well as a non-supplemented group (negative control, LPI). A normal (NOM) group was fed protein-Fe sufficient (PIS) diet throughout the study. Body composition was measured by Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The hemoglobin (Hb) repletion method was used to assess relative biological value (RBV, compared to PIS) of the supplemented groups. No differences were found in weight gain, bone mineral content, lean and fat mass, and organ weights among the edible insects and PIS groups, but these results differed from STO and the LPI groups. An increase in Hb Fe and RBV with ADO and RFA was comparable to PIS. ADO and RFA could be excellent sources of protein and bioavailable Fe, making it a sustainable, low-cost food source to prevent malnutrition in humans.
Highlights
Protein is essential for growth and development, and iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrient for hemoglobin (Hb) synthesis
We focused on cricket and palm weevil larvae because of their popularity in both developed and developing countries
Cricket is farmed in the United States and other developed countries, whereas palm weevil larvae farming is underway in developing countries such as Lao People’s Democratic Republic and
Summary
Protein is essential for growth and development, and iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrient for hemoglobin (Hb) synthesis. New evidence indicates that at least 151 million children (22%) in 2017 experienced stunted growth (low height-for-age) compared to 165 million children (26%) in 2011 [1,2] These global estimates are highest in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. In children under 5 years, stunting and wasting contributes to 14.5%, and 14.6% of global deaths and a further 3.1 million deaths are attributed to micronutrient deficiencies [2,4] These statistics are a clear indication of the need to scale-up nutrition-sensitive interventions to ensure no child is left behind in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on food and nutrition security as enshrined in Agenda 2030
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