Edible Insects as an Alternative Source of Nutritional Consumption

Abstract

The increasing in global population, coupled with pressure on traditional livestock systems, has necessitated the search of alternative and sustainable sources of nutrition. Edible insects have surface as a promising solution due to their high nutritional value, low environmental impact, and cultural acceptance in many countries particularly in Nigeria. This study investigates the potential of the Field crickets and Winged termites as an alternative source of nutritional consumption, the nutritional quality of protein, fat, minerals, vitamins were determined using standard methods. The active substances from these two edible insects in the Southern Nigeria have a variety of bio functional values, the essentials and non – essentials amino-acids and anti-nutrients analysis were determined. Edible insects are highly nutritious and it can be served as good source of nutrient, vitamins minerals that may be useful in combating related disease, and can be consumed as alternative to other source of protein.