Sex-dependent differences in purine and uric acid contents of selected edible insects

Abstract

Edible insects exhibit potential as a good food source for the ever-increasing human population; however, for approximately 1–4% of the western population suffering gout, insect consumption may be problematic. The contents of four purine derivatives (adenine, guanine, xanthine, and hypoxanthine) and their common metabolite—uric acid—were analyzed in males and females of three insect species: house crickets, desert locusts, and discoid roaches. Total purine content decreased as follows: house cricket male > desert locust female > house cricket female > desert locust male > discoid roach male > discoid roach female. Uric acid content decreased as follows: discoid roach > house cricket > desert locust. Species and—in some cases—sex had significant impacts on purine derivative and uric acid contents in edible insects. Our data showed that edible insects contain substantial levels of purines that may be problematic for people suffering gout.