Browsing by Author "Lategan, Anja"

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    An assessment of the potential of edible insect consumption in reducing human nutritional deficiencies in South Africa while considering food and nutrition security aspects.
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-04) Lategan, Anja; Sigge, G. O.; Marais, M. L.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Agrisciences. Dept. of Food Science.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Between 2012 and 2014, more than 2 000 new cases of severe malnutrition in South Africa have been reported. Staple food products are viewed as having insufficient micronutrient contents and limiting amino acids (lysine, tryptophan and threonine). Therefore, in following a monotonous diet of maize and wheat products, the risk of micronutrient deficiencies increases. Even after mandatory fortification of staple food products in South Africa in 2003, high levels of micronutrient deficiencies still exist. In this research assignment, the potential of edible insects frequently consumed in South Africa, in ameliorating South Africa’s most prevalent nutrient deficiencies (iron, zinc, folate, vitamin A and iodine) was assessed. The primary data collection method consisted of searching databases and identifying and critically assessing existing literature. The majority of edible insects contained favourable nutrient contents, except for iodine, vitamin A and tryptophan, which were limited. The katydid (Ruspolia differens), jewel beetle (Sternocera orissa), African thief ant (Carebara vidua) and mopane worm (Gonimbrasia belina) were identified as insects containing significant amounts of micronutrients. The adult Ruspolia differens had the highest iron content (117.2 mg.100g-1 product), more than brown bread flour (2.5 mg.100-1 product). The adult of Sternocera orissa provides half of the RDA of zinc when consuming 10.6 g product. Consuming 58.7 g Carebara vidua in the adult phase, will result in 50% of the RDA of folic acid being met. Ruspolia differens and Gonimbrasia belina were also identified as having favourable lysine, tryptophan and threonine contents. Ruspolia differens and Gonimbrasia belina contain 91.3 mg and 44.4 mg lysine per gram protein. Gonimbrasia belina larvae further contains a tryptophan content of 29.6 mg g-1 protein, whereas favourable a threonine content has been established in Ruspolia differens (53.3 mg.g-1 protein). The Kjeldahl method was still the preferred method for protein determination of edible insects. Due to the limited amount of alternative methods utilised, no conclusions were made on whether the Kjeldahl methods leads to an overestimation of protein or if amino acid analysis provides more reliable results. Furthermore, other external factors, including geographical area, processing method, chitin content and Kp adjustment, also affects edible insects’ protein content. An increase of 33% in the edible insect market is projected between 2018 – 2022 when compared to every US$1 billion in the global meat market. This is still miniscule compared to the global meat market. Standardising food safety systems and incorporating insects into well-known products, have been proposed as promoters for edible insect market growth. Whole termites were the most expensive protein source when compared to chicken breast fillets, French polony, beef mince and chicken livers. This results in excluding a majority of the population, who resides in urban areas and does not have access to harvesting sites. This research assignment met the objectives in accentuating the favourable nutrient contents of edible insects and the potential to assist in reducing South Africa’s most prevalent nutrient deficiencies. Concerns and gaps however exist, but this assignment provides the platform for future research to focus on conducting studies in South Africa to determine the nutritional content of edible insects, standardise external factors, and to determine the protein content through various methods. Edible insects in South Africa has endless potential in alleviating the food insecurity.