Production, consumption, and market supply of edible crickets: insights from East Africa.

Globally, crickets are gaining recognition as a valuable alternative protein source for human consumption due to their lower resource requirement and ecological footprint compared to traditional livestock. In this paper, we examine strategies that may expedite the sustainable domestication of crickets as a food source. Using survey data from 306 households in western Kenya, we find that supplying cricket production starter kits, granting access to credit facilities, encouraging participation in farmer groups, and fostering partnerships can enhance the adoption of cricket farming.

Phytochemical profile and antioxidant activity of various solvent extracts of two varieties of ginger and garlic.

There is limited information on the phytochemical profile and antioxidant activity of ginger and garlic consumed in Uganda. This could have an impact on its widespread use and industrial application. Thus, this study was done to determine the phytochemical profile and antioxidant activity of two varieties of ginger and garlic commonly consumed in Uganda.

Color, pH, microbiological, and sensory quality of crickets () flour preserved with ginger and garlic extracts.

Although spices have been used in food for centuries, little is known about their use to preserve insect-based foods. This study assessed the flour produced from blanched crickets treated with extracts of either ginger, garlic or both at a ratio of 1:4 (v/w) for color, pH, microbiological profile, sensory quality, and acceptability. Sodium benzoate treated and untreated cricket flour was used as positive and negative controls, respectively.

Innovative feedstocks for optimal mass production of the edible long-horned grasshopper, .

The edible long-horned grasshopper Serville (Orthoptera:Tettigoniidae) is a highly nutritious food source consumed in over 20 African countries. Its occurrence is highly seasonal, and wild harvesting is carried out using locally designed and inefficient light traps, thus limiting sustainable utilization as an important food source. To ensure year-round production and availability of , we evaluated the effects of low-cost and affordable diets based on agricultural by-products on their growth performance, survival, fecundity, and longevity.

Effect of aqueous and organic solvent extraction on antimicrobial activity of two varieties of fresh ginger () and garlic ().

The current state of antimicrobial resistance to synthetic antimicrobial drugs has led to renewed interest in natural antimicrobial compounds. Antimicrobial activity of extracts of (local and hybrid) ginger and garlic was investigated using the agar well diffusion method against and Aqueous and organic solvent extracts of both varieties of ginger and garlic exhibited varied and concentration-dependant antimicrobial activity. Inhibition zones at 25 mg/mL varied significantly against the microorganisms, being highest on ; 18.

Nutritional Quality of Four Novel Porridge Products Blended with Edible Cricket () Meal for Food.

Currently, no data exist on the utilization of the newly described cricket species () meal as additive in food products, though they have high protein (57%) with 88% total digestibility as well as a variety of essential amino acids. This article presents the first report on the effects of processing techniques and the inclusion of cricket meal (CM) on the nutrient and antinutrient properties of four porridge products compared to a popularly consumed commercial porridge flour (CPF). Porridge enriched with CM had significantly higher protein (2-folds), crude fat (3.

Dynamics in nutrients, sterols and total flavonoid content during processing of the edible Long-Horned grasshopper (Ruspolia differens Serville) for food.

Long-horned grasshopper (Ruspolia differens Serville) is a tasty delicacy in over 20 African countries. This study evaluated the impact of diverse post-harvest thermal treatment (blanching, boiling, toasting, and deep-frying) on the nutrients, total flavonoid content and sterols preservation of R. differens products.

From Farm to Fork: Crickets as Alternative Source of Protein, Minerals, and Vitamins.

Globally, there is growing interest to integrate cricket-based ingredients (flour) into food products to combat food and nutrition insecurity. However, there is lack of information on in-depth nutrient profile of the two cricket species ( and ), which are the most widely consumed in Africa. Here we determined the nutrient composition of two cricket species and compared them with published records of key animal and plant sources.

Calcium and s100a1 protein balance in the brain-heart axis in diabetic male Wistar rats.

Objectives Calcium deregulation in diabetes mellitus (DM) is central to the brain-heart axis pathology. This has led to the use of medical plants in complementary medicine such as Amaranthus hypochondriacus (GA). The objective of the study was to establish the effects of grain amaranth feed supplementation on calcium, s100al protein and antioxidant levels on the brain-heart axis in diabetic male Wistar rats.

Exploring Black Soldier Fly Frass as Novel Fertilizer for Improved Growth, Yield, and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Maize Under Field Conditions.

Black soldier fly frass fertilizer (BSFFF) is increasingly gaining momentum worldwide as organic fertilizer. However, research on its performance on crop production remains largely unknown. Here, we evaluate the comparative performance of BSFFF and commercial organic fertilizer (SAFI) on maize (H513) production.

Low-cost technology for recycling agro-industrial waste into nutrient-rich organic fertilizer using black soldier fly.

Efforts to recycle organic waste using black soldier fly (BSF) larvae into high-quality alternative protein ingredients in animal feeds and organic fertilizers have gained momentum worldwide. However, there is limited information on waste manipulation to increase nutrient retention for enhanced larval performance and frass fertilizer quality. In the present study, brewer's spent grain with a carbon to nitrogen (C/N) ratio of 11 (control) was amended with sawdust to obtain substrates with C/N ratios of 15, 20, 25 and 30.

Bean-based nutrient-enriched puffed snacks: Formulation design, functional evaluation, and optimization.

School-age children frequently consume snacks. However, most of the snacks they consume are of low nutritional quality. The objective of this study was to develop a nutrient-rich and acceptable extruded bean-based snack, which could contribute to improved nutrient intake, especially for school-age children.

Biochar and gypsum amendment of agro-industrial waste for enhanced black soldier fly larval biomass and quality frass fertilizer.

Black soldier fly (BSF) (Hermetia illucens L.) is one of the most efficient bio-waste recyclers. Although, waste substrate amendments with biochar or gypsum during composting process are known to enhance nutrient retention, their impact on agro-industrial waste have not been documented.

Effects of Traditional Processing Techniques on the Nutritional and Microbiological Quality of Four Edible Insect Species Used for Food and Feed in East Africa.

Edible insects are increasingly being considered as food and feed ingredients because of their rich nutrient content. Already, edible insect farming has taken-off in Africa, but quality and safety concerns call for simple, actionable hazard control mechanisms. We examined the effects of traditional processing techniques-boiling, toasting, solar-drying, oven-drying, boiling + oven-drying, boiling + solar-drying, toasting + oven-drying, toasting + solar-drying-on the proximate composition and microbiological quality of adult and , the prepupae of and 5th instar larvae of .

Effect of heat processing on the nutrient composition, colour, and volatile odour compounds of the long-horned grasshopper Ruspolia differens serville.

Heat processing is commonly used to prepare edible insects for consumption. This study aimed at determining the effect of boiling and subsequent oven roasting on Ruspolia differens' nutrient composition, colour and odor compounds. Boiling leads to: a significant increase in protein and decrease in fat content on a dry matter basis; a minimal influence on its amino and fatty acids profile; a significant reduction in its ash content due to leaching of phosphorus, potassium and sodium; a significant increase in iron, zinc, copper, manganese and calcium content; and a fivefold reduction in the amount of vitamin B12.

Nutritional Characteristics of Selected Insects in Uganda for Use as Alternative Protein Sources in Food and Feed.

Insects are potential ingredients for animal feed and human food. Their suitability may be influenced by species and nutritional value. This study was aimed at determining the nutritional profile of four insects: Dipterans; black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens Linnaeus) family stratiomyidae and blue calliphora flies (Calliphora vomitoria Linnaeus) family Calliphoridae; and orthopterans; crickets (Acheta domesticus Linnaeus) family Gryllidae and grasshoppers (Ruspolia nitidula Linnaeus) family Tettigoniidae to establish their potential as alternative protein sources for animals (fish and poultry) and humans.

Nutrient composition of the long-horned grasshopper Ruspolia differens Serville: Effect of swarming season and sourcing geographical area.

This research investigates the effect of swarming season and sourcing geographical area on the nutrient composition of R. differens. On a dry matter basis, protein (34.

Fruit and vegetable consumption, leisure-time physical activity, and sedentary behavior among children and adolescent students in Uganda.

Introduction: Fruit and vegetable (FV) intake and participation in leisure-time physical activity (PA) and in sedentary behavior in accordance with the recommendations are met in a minority of populations including children and adolescents.

Objective: To describe the frequency of FV intake, leisure-time PA, and sedentary behavior, assess compliance with international recommendations, and how selected factors are associated with these recommendations.

Methods: The FV consumption and PA questionnaire items previously assessed for reliability in a Ugandan setting were used to gather information about FV consumption, PA, and sedentary behavior among 621 children and adolescents attending schools in Kampala Uganda.

Grain Amaranth Is Associated with Improved Hepatic and Renal Calcium Metabolism in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus of Male Wistar Rats.

Background: Dysregulation of calcium signaling is a hallmark of diabetes mellitus (DM) and grain amaranth (AG) has antidiabetic properties. Information on the mechanism of action of AG on blood, renal, and hepatic tissues is sparse, although it continues to be an important alternative medicinal plant in several developing countries. The objective of the study was to determine key changes in calcium levels and s100a1 protein levels and antioxidant and histopathologic changes in blood, renal, and hepatic tissues of male diabetic Wistar rats.

Prediction equations for body composition of children and adolescents aged 8-19 years in Uganda using deuterium dilution as the reference technique.

Background And Aims: Body composition is important as a marker of both current and future health status. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a simple and accurate method for estimating body composition in field, clinical and research settings, if standard protocol procedures are followed. However, BIA requires population-specific equations since applicability of existing equations to diverse populations has been questioned.

Microbial characterisation of the edible grasshopper Ruspolia differens in raw condition after wild-harvesting in Uganda.

This research aimed at establishing the chemical intrinsic properties and the microbial quality of an edible grasshopper Ruspolia differens and the effect of its source (geographical area) in Uganda, trading point, swarming season and plucking on these parameters. The intrinsic properties of the grasshopper can support the growth of a wide variety of microorganisms. High counts of total aerobic microbes, Enterobacteriaceae, lactic acid bacteria, total aerobic spores, and yeasts and moulds were obtained.

Assessing the reliability of FTIR spectroscopy measurements and validity of bioelectrical impedance analysis as a surrogate measure of body composition among children and adolescents aged 8-19 years attending schools in Kampala, Uganda.

Background: Accurate measurement of body composition in children and adolescents is important as the quantities of fat and fat-free mass have implications for health risk. The objectives of the present study were: to determine the reliability of Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) measurements and; compare the Fat Mass (FM), Fat Free Mass (FFM) and body fat percentage (%BF) values determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to those determined by deuterium dilution method (DDM) to identify correlations and agreement between the two methods.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 203 children and adolescents aged 8-19 years attending schools in Kampala city, Uganda.

Optimization of extrusion conditions for the production of instant grain amaranth-based porridge flour.

Malnutrition is one of the foremost causes of death among children below 5 years in developing countries. Development of nutrient-dense food formulations using locally available crops has been proposed as a means to combat this menace. This study optimized the extrusion process for the production of a nutritious amaranth-based porridge flour.

Physico-chemical properties and extrusion behaviour of selected common bean varieties.

Background: Extrusion processing offers the possibility of processing common beans industrially into highly nutritious and functional products. However, there is limited information on properties of extrudates from different bean varieties and their association with raw material characteristics and extrusion conditions. In this study, physico-chemical properties of raw and extruded Bishaz, K131, NABE19, Roba1 and RWR2245 common beans were determined.

Nutritional composition, quality, and shelf stability of processed (edible grasshoppers).

The nutritional and commercial potential of the edible grasshopper (, in ), a delicacy in Uganda and many East African tribes, is limited by a short shelf life and unverified nutritional value. This research established that is nutritious with 36-40% protein, 41-43% fat, 2.5-3.