Edible grasshoppers can be modified for better fatty acid composition

It is possible to modify the fatty acid composition of edible grasshoppers by adding essential fatty acids in their feed, new research from the University of Eastern Finland shows. The study focused on the long-horned grasshopper Ruspolia differens, an economically and nutritionally important insect species that is common and widespread in Africa.

More than 2,000 insect species are known to be eaten by humans. Edible insects are one potential solution to global food security problems, since their production requires less space and water and has lower greenhouse emissions than the production of meat. However, for edible insects to realise their true potential as a source of food and feed, effective mass rearing methods for different species are needed.

researcher Vilma Lehtovaara, MSc, from the University of Eastern Finland says.

Lehtovaara explains.

Insects are collected by harvesting wild populations during swarming seasons. However, Ruspolia differens swarms only twice a year and the yields are highly unpredictable. In many places in East Africa, overexploitation is a cause of concern, as harvesting has intensified and grasslands are diminishing due to changes in land use.

Lehtovaara says.

The researchers discovered that by adding essential fatty acids in the feed given to Ruspolia differens, it is possible to modify their fatty acid composition, making them even healthier for human consumption.

The researchers found that in some Ruspolia differens, up to 60% of their weight was fat, while insects typically contain only 10–30% fat. The fatty acid profile of lab-reared insects can be very different from those living in the wild.

Lehtovaara concludes.

Lehtovaara presented the findings in her doctoral dissertation focusing on Ruspolia differens. The doctoral dissertation, entitled Mass production of the edible long-horned grasshopper Ruspolia differens (Orthoptera:Tettigoniidae): Investigation of the basic parameters of rearing, is available for download at: http://epublications.uef.fi/pub/urn_isbn_978-952-61-3177-1/urn_isbn_978-952-61-3177-1.pdf.

The doctoral dissertation was completed as part of the Developing mass rearing technology for the highly valued edible grasshopper, Ruspolia differens project. Funded by the Academy of Finland, the project was led by Professor Heikki Roininen at the University of Eastern Finland and it involved collaboration with Makerere University in Uganda.

For further information, please contact:
Vilma Lehtovaara, [email protected]

Reference:
Geoffrey M Malinga, Vilma J Lehtovaara, Anu Valtonen, Philip Nyeko, Heikki Roininen, Developing Mass Egg-Laying Medium for the Edible Ruspolia differens (Orthoptera: Tettigonidae), Journal of Economic Entomology, Volume 112, Issue 5, October 2019, Pages 2157–2160, https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toz124