Potential of Insect Life Stages as Functional Ingredients for Improved Nutrition and Health

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Despite edible insects being possible future food sources, studies on the nutritional properties of some of the insects are still limited. Gonimbrasia cocaulti (GC), a saturniid caterpillar, is a delicacy in some communities in Africa, yet there is no information on its nutrition profile to provide insight on their contribution to rural household nutrition. This study provides in-depth knowledge on the nutritional composition of the edible larval stage of G. cocaulti and the pupal life stages of the domestic silkworm (Bombyx mori) and Eri silkworm (Samia Cynthia ricini). The results showed that the edible stage of GC had significantly high levels of linoleic acid, minerals (Ca, Fe, K), vitamins (B(6), B(9), B(12), α-tocopherol) and crude fiber. The crude protein content of the larval and pupal stages of the various insects ranged between 50 and 62%. It is evident that the developmental life stage of GC and silkworms have adequate nutrients that could allow them to be utilized as ingredients in food fortification. ABSTRACT: This study aimed to provide information on the nutrients of the edible larval stage of Gonimbrasia cocaulti (GC) for the first time, while exploring the potential nutrient content of the pupal life stages of the domestic silkworm (Bombyx mori; BM) and the Eri silkworm (Samia Cynthia ricini; SC). The three insects were analyzed for fatty acids, minerals, proximate composition and vitamins. Among the fatty acids, linoleic, a polyunsaturated fatty acid, was approximately threefold higher in GC than in the silkworms. The Ca, Fe and K contents were highest in GC. However, the Zn and Na contents were highest in BM, while Mg content was predominant in SC. The crude protein content of the various developmental life stages of the edible caterpillars and pupae ranged between 50 and 62%. Further, the fiber content of GC was substantially higher compared to the pupal stages of the two silkworm species. The vitamin (B(6), B(9), B(12) and α-tocopherol) levels of the two insect life stages were considerably high. These insects are comparably rich in nutrients with potential suitability to be utilized in food fortification and thus ease pressure on the over-reliance on animal and plant-based sources, which are becoming unsustainable.