[Management with micronutrient composition of entomoproducts by edible insects' feeding schedule optimisation].

Abstract

The trend to the modern food industry's reorientation into the manufacturing of food with increased nutritional density, enriched, among other things, with complete protein, leads to the need to expand the raw material base and search for non-traditional protein sources, among which insects are considered to be a very promising resource. The insects species composition, the food use of which is approved in countries that previously had no tradition of using such raw materials, is represented by ubiquitous synanthropic organisms that have accompanied mankind for thousands of years - the mealybug (Tenebrio molitor), house cricket (A. domesticus) and others. In particular, A. domesticus belongs to polyphagous species that feed both plant and animal substrates, producing their own complete protein. Based on the results of our own research and analysis of literature data, the chemical composition of arthropods potentially used for food purposes requires careful control due to the possible risk of excessive content of mineral components. Both regulation of feed composition and feeding schedule of insects, taking into consideration their age and species affiliation, can be considered as risk management methods. The purpose of the research was the investigation of the influence of feeding schedule on the micronutrient (mineral) composition of house cricket A. domesticus biomass. Material and methods. The A. domesticus house cricket produced by ONTO LLC was used for this research. Elemental analysis of 8 insect samples was carried out. The content of potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, cobalt, chromium, nickel, iron, copper, zinc, lead and cadmium in insect biomass samples was determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The element composition of cricket biomass (age of the 6th moult and adults) obtained under different feeding schedule was assessed from the view point of the possibility for using insects as a source of relevant mineral substances, for which the element content in biomass was compared with the norms of physiological requirements for humans. Results. In insect samples kept under conditions of stable feed supply, the content of calcium, iron, copper, zinc and manganese increased with insect growth, reaching a maximum level at the stage of the 6th moult and decreasing when the adult age was reached. At all stages of insect growth, incubation without food for 24 hours resulted in a 45% decrease in the content of copper and zinc, a 33% decrease in calcium and manganese, and a 15% decrease in iron. No effect of insect feeding schedule on the content of potassium, sodium, magnesium, and chromium, as well as lead and cadmium in biomass was revealed. Conclusion. House crickets can serve a source of minerals and trace elements in the human diet, and there is a risk of excessive intake of mineral elements when using raw materials from A. domesticus in food. In spite of the fact that the results of the conducted studies indicate the possibility of adjusting the elemental composition of cricket biomass by changing the feed formulation and feeding regimes, when developing hygienic (sanitary and chemical) standards for novel objects of technical regulation - raw materials and food derived from insects, it is necessary to take into consideration the variability of mineral composition and include manganese, copper, zinc and chromium in the list of controlled indicators.