Abstract
Edible insects have emerged as an inexpensive alternative source of protein for reducing the burden of malnutrition worldwide. However, there is a dearth of evidence on its efficacy, and thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of edible insect consumption on the nutritional status of female Wistar albino rats. The study assessed the subchronic effect of palm weevil larvae (PWL) and orange-fleshed sweet potato- (OFSP-) enriched biscuits (fortified biscuits (FB), plain biscuits (PB), biscuits fortified with PWL (PWB), and biscuits fortified with OFSP only (SPB)) as a model to predict the potential of PWL to improve the nutritional status of pregnant women in Ghana. Twenty-five female Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to five experimental groups to receive one of the five feed supplements for 28 days. After which, the effects of treatment on haematological and biochemical parameters including lipid profile were assessed. No significant differences were observed with haematological (Hb) parameters. However, total cholesterol levels of the FB, PB, PWB, and SPB were significantly higher than in the N group. Apart from elevated total cholesterol concentrations, biscuits fortified with PWL had no adverse effects and can be a nutritious snack for maintaining acceptable HB levels.
Highlights
Adequate nutrition prior to and during pregnancy is a cornerstone for desirable maternal and child outcomes
Considering the obvious and common knowledge on the relation between dietary saturated fat consumption and cardiovascular disease risk and the fact that palm weevil larvae are composed of 65% fat, the objective of this study was to assess the effects of edible insect consumption on the nutritional status of female rats to inform its use among pregnant women in Ghana in future studies. e study was designed to investigate the effects of biscuits fortified with PWL and orangefleshed sweet potato on the nutritional status as well as possible adverse effects associated with its consumption in female rats
Farmed palm weevil larvae were obtained from the ASPIRE Food Group breeding site, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. e larvae were washed, parboiled, and oven-dried at 60°C to constant weight. e dried larvae were milled to obtain a powdery consistency. e orange-fleshed sweet potato flour and other ingredients were purchased from a local market in Kumasi, Ghana. e palm weevil larvae flour (PWLF) and the orange-fleshed sweet potato flour (OFSPF) were mixed with wheat flour in four different formulations to obtain four composite flours which were mixed with other ingredients to obtain a dough
Summary
Adequate nutrition prior to and during pregnancy is a cornerstone for desirable maternal and child outcomes. Significant associations have been drawn between food insecurity, poor nutrient absorption, and micronutrient deficiencies [5, 6]. To combat this problem, food-based interventions along with already existing supplementation and fortification programmes are appropriate and sustainable approaches for curbing maternal malnutrition and its consequences. Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism due to an estimated population increase, cost of conventional protein production, and scarcity of land, the Food and Agricultural Organisation has predicted a future deficit in animal protein supply [7]. In developing countries where dietary protein sources are largely limited to plant foods due to the high cost of conventional protein [7, 8], this foreseen deficit in animal protein supply may increase malnutrition incidence
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