Publication
Title
Stable isotope ratio analysis for the characterisation of edible insects
Author
Abstract
Entomophagy, or the act of eating insects, has been practiced since ancient times, but it started to gain more popularity, especially in Western countries, only recently. As sustainability is one of the current emerging themes, the inclusion of insects in our diet is a valid alternative that might help reduce the amount of water and land used for livestock and the associated emissions of greenhouse gasses. Moreover, insects are a source of protein, fibres, vitamins, minerals and fats. Edible insects are considered a novel food, for which no isotopic reference values are yet available. In the present work, samples of farmed edible insects (n=40) belonging to different orders (namely, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Odonata and Orthoptera) and insect-based food items (n=4) for human consumption were analysed. The following isotopes, delta C-13, delta N-15, delta S-34, delta O-18 and delta H-2 of the defatted samples, together with the delta C-13 of the fat, were investigated. The aim of the work was to provide the first reference isotopic ratios that can be used for future investigations in the food quality field. The variability of these parameters was dependent on the life stage and diet of insects, their geographical origin, and the addition of ingredients as seasoning.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Journal of insects as food and feed. - [Wageningen, Netherlands] :; Leiden, 2015, currens
Publication
[Wageningen, Netherlands] :; Leiden : Wageningen Academic Publishers,; Brill , 2021
ISSN
2352-4588
DOI
10.3920/JIFF2020.0128
Volume/pages
7 :6 (2021) , p. 955-964
ISI
000696385700002
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 05.10.2021
Last edited 04.10.2024
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