Abstract
During the last ten years, the worldwide interest in using insects as food and feed has surged. Edible insects fall within the category of novel foods, i.e., the category of food not consumed in significant amounts in the European Union before 15 May 1997 (the date of entry into force of Regulation (EC) No. 258/1997, later repealed by Regulation (EU) No. 2283/2015). One of the most promising insect species to be raised for food is the house cricket (Acheta domesticus). In this study, the rearing of a stock of house crickets was studied over a period of four months. The microbiological quality of the farm was studied using swabs on the surface of the rearing boxes to analyze the trend over time of different populations of microorganisms (total aerobic mesophilic microbiota, Lactobacillus spp., enterococci, Staphylococcus spp., Enterobacteriaceae, total coliforms, Pseudomonas spp. and molds). The presence of four antimicrobial resistance genes (aph, blaZ, sul1, and tetM) was investigated by polymerase chain reaction. A production scheme was also developed in order to obtain a cricket-based flour, which was analyzed for its microbiological and chemical-centesimal profile. The results obtained in this study demonstrate that the contamination increases with time and that a proper management of the farming system for insects is of the utmost importance, as it is for conventional farm animals such as ungulates, poultry, and rabbits. The old-fashioned adage “all full, all empty” for the farming system summarizes the need for proper cleaning and disinfection of the structures at the end of each production cycle.
Highlights
In the face of the continual evolution of society, food habits and the variety of tastes commonly available are frequently replaced by innovative products or products from foreign cultures on the consumer’s table
Tenebrio molitor larvae have been considered by EFSA as fit for human consumption [5]
If compared with the limits provided by the European Commission Regulation (EC) Regulation 2073/2005 for the total aerobic count and Enterobacteriaceae count on the surface of the carcasses of different species, the results obtained in this study are interesting
Summary
In the face of the continual evolution of society, food habits and the variety of tastes commonly available are frequently replaced by innovative products or products from foreign cultures on the consumer’s table Considering both the increase in population expected within 2050, reaching 9 billion people, and the parallel increase in the demand for proteins of animal origin, new protein sources have been suggested, including edible insects [1]. A risk analysis is conducted for each novel food entering the European market and each new product or ingredient is subjected to the scientific opinion of EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) and requires formal authorization from the European Commission. These unconventional foods have to guarantee they comply with the parameters of health and hygiene, safety, and quality, even in the absence of specific legislation
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