Bread enriched with cricket powder (Acheta domesticus): A technological, microbiological and nutritional evaluation

Acceptance of Muffins (Sweet and Savory) with the Addition of T. molitor, A. diaperinus, A. domesticus, R. differens, Considering Psychological Factors (Food Neophobia Scale, Consumer Attitude)

The aim of the study was to analyze the acceptance of muffins containing a 15% addition of powder from four edible insect species (Alphitobius diaperinus, Tenebrio molitor, Acheta domesticus, Ruspolia differens) in both savory and sweet versions, focusing on the psychological factors influencing their consumption. The study involved 106 adult consumers. Initially, the level of food neophobia (FNS) among participants was determined. Over 80% displayed low to medium levels of neophobia. Similar results were obtained when assessing attitudes towards insects, with most participants showing positive and ambivalent attitudes. Based on these findings, the acceptance of insect-based muffins was evaluated. The level of acceptance of insects varied and depended mainly on taste, smell, and texture. Participants with lower levels of neophobia and positive attitudes towards consuming insects generally rated the insect muffins higher compared to those with higher levels of neophobia and negative attitudes. The sweet versions of insect powder muffins were rated higher, which also indicates preferences and dietary habits. Products with grasshopper powder (GS, GCL) were rated the lowest for both taste versions. Conversely, products based on buffalo worms (BS, BCL) were seen as having the greatest potential for acceptance. Understanding consumer attitudes, neophobia, and levels of acceptance provides valuable insights for designing new insect-based foods.

Properties of insect protein concentrate and potential application in seasoned rice noodles

In this study, we extracted proteins from four edible insect species (Acheta domesticus, Gryllus bimaculatus, Holotrichea sp., and Gryllotalpa orientalis), then evaluated their chemical and functional properties and used the extracts to prepare seasoned rice noodles. The four insect species contained 67-69% moisture, 13-18% protein, 6-10% fat, and 4-5% ash. The insect protein concentrate (IPC) contained 73-77% protein, and had high water solubility and emulsion stability (80-88%), moderate emulsion ability (56-65%), but low water- and oil-holding capacity (19% and 8-9%, respectively). The distinctive amino acid components in the IPC were glutamic acid and aspartic acid. In order to improve the nutritional and textural qualities of seasoned rice noodles, the IPC was added at rates of 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10% by weight of rice flour. The results showed that the cooking weight was not significantly different from plain rice noodles; however, the 8% IPC fortified rice noodles had the highest tensile strength, whereas the lightness, yellowness, and redness decreased with an increase in insect protein content. This study demonstrates success in using 2-8% of IPC in rice noodles as a stabilizing or thickening agent.

Effect of fortifying sorghum and wheat with Longhorn grasshopper (Ruspolia differens) powder on nutritional composition and consumer acceptability of biscuits

This study aimed at improving the nutrient composition and protein quality of biscuits made from sorghum and wheat through fortification with Longhorn Ruspolia differens powder (RDP) for use as a supplementary food targeting children vulnerable to protein-energy malnutrition (PEM). Ten biscuit formulations were prepared by replacing a part of wheat and sorghum-wheat flours with 5, 15, 20, and 40% RDP. To establish the nutrient content of biscuits, proximate and mineral compositions were determined. The amino acid composition, reactive lysine and in vitro protein digestibility were determined for protein quality. Compositing wheat or wheat-sorghum biscuits with RDP increased the protein, fat, ash, and crude fiber by percentages as high as 118, 37, 133, and 573%, respectively. Mineral content increased with, iron, zinc, and potassium as high as 161, 219, and 169%, respectively. The lysine, reactive lysine and in vitro protein digestibility of the fortified biscuits increased significantly, relative to the 100% cereal biscuits. Fortification with RDP significantly improved the amino acid content of the biscuits but had a marginal effect on improvement of the lysine score and did not meet the reference pattern for children aged 3-10 years. The Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) of wheat-sorghum and wheat biscuits improved by 6% to 47% and 2% to 33%, respectively, compared to the control biscuits. The fortified biscuits were liked by the consumers. The RDP-fortified biscuits have the potential to alleviate PME in developing countries.

Could insects be an alternative food source? A comprehensive review

According to the United Nations, more than 800 million people are exposed to starvation. It is predicted that the world population will face much more serious starvation for reasons such as global warming, diseases, economic problems, rapid urbanization, and destruction of agricultural areas and water resources. Thus, there are significant hesitations about the sustainability of food resources, and the search for alternative food sources has increased. One of the leading alternative food sources is insects. Although the use of edible insects has been accepted in some areas of the world, entomophagy is not preferred in some countries due to sociocultural conditions, health concerns, neophobia, and entomophobia. Many people do not accept the direct consumption of raw insects, but insects can be transformed into more preferred forms by using different cooking techniques. Some ground edible insects are satisfactory in terms of nutritional value and have a reasonable level of acceptability when added to products such as bread, tortilla, and pasta in varying percentages. The world market value of edible insects was estimated to be US$3.2 million in 2021 and US$17.6 billion in 2032. In this review, the current and future situation of insects as an alternative food source is comprehensively discussed.

Attitudes and purchase intentions of polish university students towards food made from insects-A modelling approach

The marketing of insect-derived protein has led to the development of respective legal regulations on such insects-based foods in the European Union. Despite the interest in the area of insect-based food, European researchers have paid relatively little attention to consumer attitudes and behaviors towards such products or the factors that may affect them. Attempts undertaken so far in this respect are insufficient; therefore, there is a need to continue and expand research in this field. The present study attempts to verify the following research hypotheses: H1. Attitudes towards food containing insects are related to the attributes/characteristics of these products, care for health and the natural environment, and attitudes towards novelty (neophilic/neophobic); H2. Intentions to purchase food containing insects can be predicted based on attitudes towards food from insects, product attributes, and attitudes towards environmental health and novelties. An empirical study was conducted among university students (N = 1063) by an indirect interview method using a specially designed questionnaire, via an online platform (Computer-Assisted Web Interview, CAWI) in November 2023. The questionnaire was validated by assessing the construction validity and estimating the reliability of the scales used. The study results demonstrated that the attributes of insect-based food products can influence the positive attitudes towards them and behavioral intentions to consume them, and that the strength of the impact of health quality traits is far greater than that of the organoleptic or functional traits. A negative, statistically significant value of the correlation coefficient between neophobic attitude and intention to purchase this type of food was observed. Thus, respondents without food neophobia were characterized by a positive attitude towards the purchase of foods containing edible insects in their composition.

Wheat Bread Enriched with House Cricket Powder (Acheta domesticus L.) as an Alternative Protein Source

The house cricket (Acheta domesticus L.) is one of four edible insect species introduced to the EU market as a novel food and alternative protein source. Innovative products, such as cricket flour, are increasingly appearing on supermarket shelves and can offer an alternative to traditional cereals, while providing the body with many valuable nutrients of comparable quality to those found in meat and fish. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of using cricket powder as a substitute for wheat flour in the production of bread. The physicochemical properties of cricket powder were evaluated in comparison to wheat flour. As a result of technological studies, bread compositions with 5%, 10% and 15% replacements of wheat flour by cricket powder were designed and their quality characteristics (physicochemical, sensory and microbiological) were evaluated. Cricket powder was characterised by a higher protein (63% vs. 13.5%) and fat (16.3% vs. 1.16%) content and a lower carbohydrate (9.8% vs. 66%) and fibre (7.8% vs. 9.5%) content as compared to wheat flour. The tested preparations had a similar pH (6.9 and 6.8, respectively, for cricket powder and flour) and fat absorption capacity (0.14 vs. 0.27 g oil/g powder, respectively, for cricket powder and flour) but different water holding capacities and completely different colour parameters. All breads had good microbiological quality after baking and during 7 days of storage. In instrumental tests, the 10 and 15% replacements of wheat flour by cricket powder affected the darker colour of the breads and caused a significant increase in the hardness of the breads. The research has shown that the optimal level of replacement, which does not significantly affect the physiochemical and sensory characteristics, is 5% cricket powder in the bread recipe. Considering the results obtained and the fact that insects provide a sufficient supply of energy and protein in the human diet, are a source of fibre, vitamins and micronutrients, and have a high content of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, the suitability of cricket powder for protein enrichment of bakery products is confirmed.

Characterization of wheat dough and Chinese steamed bread using mealworm powder formulated with medium-gluten and whole wheat flour

BACKGROUND

Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae are nutritious edible insects and exhibit the potential to act as protein substitutes in food products. In this study, we added mealworm powder as a substitute to medium-gluten wheat and whole wheat flours to enhance the quality of baked products. We compared the pasting, farinograph and extensograph properties of medium-gluten wheat and whole wheat flours replaced with different concentrations of mealworm powder to explore the interactions between flour and mealworm powder.

RESULTS

Mealworm powder changed the pasting characteristics of medium-gluten wheat and whole wheat flours. After adding 20% mealworm powder, the pasting temperature of the medium-gluten wheat flour remained unchanged (approximately 89.9 °C), while the pasting temperature of whole wheat flour increased from 88.83 to 90.27 °C. Water absorption of medium-gluten and whole wheat flours exhibited a decreasing trend with increasing mealworm powder concentrations. Mealworm powder substitution resulted in stronger medium-gluten dough but exerted an opposite effect on the farinograph properties of whole wheat dough. Mealworm powder substitution decreased the stretching resistance of medium-gluten dough but increased that of whole wheat dough. With an increase in the concentration of mealworm powder, the specific volume of medium-gluten wheat steamed bread significantly increased from 1.69 mL g-1 (M0) to 3.31 mL g-1 (M10) whereas that of whole wheat steamed bread increased from 1.64 mL g-1 (M0) to 2.34 mL g-1 (M15). The addition of mealworm powder increased the protein, dietary fiber, lipid and sodium contents of steamed bread samples.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides a reference for the rheological properties of medium-gluten wheat and whole wheat flours substituted with mealworm powder and supports the addition of insects as a protein source in food products. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Potential of Cricket (Acheta domesticus) Flour as a Lean Meat Replacer in the Development of Beef Patties

This study examined the incorporation of cricket (Acheta domesticus) flour (CF) (0, control; 5.0%, CF5.0; 7.5%, CF7.5; and 10.0%, CF10.0) as a lean meat replacer in beef patties and its impact on composition, microbiological, sensory, and technological properties, as well as its influence on the cooking process. The inclusion of CF led to beef patties with significantly higher protein levels than the control group. Additionally, an elevation in total viable (TVC) and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) counts was observed. However, Enterobacteriaceae counts remained at safe levels. CF5.0 demonstrated similar sensory scores and purchase intention to the control treatment. CF7.5 and CF10.0 showed comparable sensory scores to the control except for texture attributes. The inclusion of CF significantly reduced cooking loss and diameter reduction values. Beef patties with CF were notably firmer and had a browner color than the control. In general, the cooking process impacted the technological properties similarly in both the control and beef patties with CF. In all cooked samples, no significant differences in pH, redness (a*), or texture were observed. This study demonstrated that incorporating up to 5.0% CF into beef patties is optimal in terms of composition, technological, sensorial, and cooking properties.

Consumption of edible insects and insect-based foods: A systematic review of sensory properties and evoked emotional response

Low consumer acceptance of edible insects and insect-based products is one of the main barriers to the successful implementation of entomophagy in Western countries. This rejection is mainly caused by consumers' negative emotional responses, psychological/personality traits, and attitudes toward food choices. However, as the role of intrinsic product characteristics on such food choices has not been adequately studied, a systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA method, to analyze studies that have assessed hedonic evaluations, sensory profiling, or emotional responses to edible insects or insect-based products. The majority of studies performed with whole insects and insect flour highlight that insect-based products are more negatively evaluated than control products. Although the sensory properties of insects are affected by species and processing conditions, they are generally negative across sensory dimensions. In particular, insects and insect-based products are generally associated with odor and flavor/taste attributes that are related to old/spoiled food. These negative attributes can be linked to the fat fraction of edible insects, with insect oils being very negatively evaluated by consumers. On the other hand, defatted fractions and deodorized oils are not associated with these negative attributes, further supporting the hypothesis that the fat fraction is responsible for the negative odor and flavor/taste attributes. However, there is still a lack of studies assessing the sensory profile of edible insects and insect-based products, as well as consumers' emotional responses to their consumption. Future studies should focus on the effects of different processing conditions, products incorporating insect fractions (namely protein concentrates/isolates and defatted fractions), and evaluation by target consumer groups.

Effects of the Incorporation of Male Honey Bees on Dough Properties and on Wheat Flour Bread's Quality Characteristics

Two different levels (5 and 10%) of male honey bees (drones) in powder form were incorporated into wheat flour, and their impact on dough properties and on bread-quality characteristics were investigated. The incorporation of the drone powder to the wheat flour caused a decrease in the extensibility and energy of the dough in the extensograph and an increase in the dough's maximum resistance with increasing levels of the added drone powder. The elongational viscosity values of the dough fortified with drone powder were significantly higher than those of the control wheat flour dough. The breads supplemented with 10% drone powder exhibited lower lightness (L*) values compared to the control bread. The addition of drone powder led to an increase in the total dietary fiber content and insoluble dietary fiber content in the fortified bread. Significant differences in the specific volume values were observed between the control bread and the corresponding ones with 10% drone powder. Upon storage, the moisture content of the crumb of the control bread and of the fortified breads were both significantly decreased, while the addition of the drone powder to the wheat flour bread increased the crumb hardness and gumminess but decreased the cohesiveness of the breads.

Insects as Valuable Sources of Protein and Peptides: Production, Functional Properties, and Challenges

As the global population approaches 10 billion by 2050, the critical need to ensure food security becomes increasingly pronounced. In response to the urgent problems posed by global population growth, our study adds to the growing body of knowledge in the field of alternative proteins, entomophagy, insect-based bioactive proteolysates, and peptides. It also provides novel insights with essential outcomes for guaranteeing a safe and sustainable food supply in the face of rising global population demands. These results offer insightful information to researchers and policymakers tackling the intricate relationship between population expansion and food supplies. Unfortunately, conventional agricultural practices are proving insufficient in meeting these demands. Pursuing alternative proteins and eco-friendly food production methods has gained urgency, embracing plant-based proteins, cultivated meat, fermentation, and precision agriculture. In this context, insect farming emerges as a promising strategy to upcycle agri-food waste into nutritious protein and fat, meeting diverse nutritional needs sustainably. A thorough analysis was conducted to evaluate the viability of insect farming, investigate insect nutrition, and review the techniques and functional properties of protein isolation. A review of peptide generation from insects was conducted, covering issues related to hydrolysate production, protein extraction, and peptide identification. The study addresses the nutritional value and global entomophagy habits to elucidate the potential of insects as sources of peptides and protein. This inquiry covers protein and hydrolysate production, highlighting techniques and bioactive peptides. Functional properties of insect proteins' solubility, emulsification, foaming, gelation, water-holding, and oil absorption are investigated. Furthermore, sensory aspects of insect-fortified foods as well as challenges, including Halal and Kosher considerations, are explored across applications. Our review underscores insects' promise as sustainable protein and peptide contributors, offering recommendations for further research to unlock their full potential.

A review of alternative proteins for vegan diets: Sources, physico-chemical properties, nutritional equivalency, and consumer acceptance

Alternate proteins are gaining popularity as a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to animal-based proteins. These proteins are often considered healthier and are suitable for people following a vegetarian or vegan diet. Alternative proteins can be recovered from natural sources like legumes, grains, nuts, and seeds, while single cell proteins (mycoproteins), and algal proteins are being developed using cutting-edge technology to grow fungus, yeast and algal cells in a controlled environment, creating a more sustainable source of protein. Although, the demand for alternative protein products is increasing, there still happens to be a large gap in use among the general consumers mainly stemming from its lower bioavailability, lack of nutritional equivalency and reduced digestibility compared to animal proteins. The focus of the review is to emphasize on various sources and technologies for recovering alternative proteins for vegan diets. The review discusses physicochemical properties of alternative proteins and emphasise on the role of various processing technologies that can change the digestibility and bioavailability of these proteins. It further accentuates the nutritional equivalency and environmental sustainability of alternative protein against the conventional proteins from animals. The food laws surrounding alternative proteins as well as the commercial potential and consumer acceptance of alternative protein products are also highlighted. Finally, key challenges to improve the consumer acceptability and market value of plant-based proteins would be in achieving nutrient equivalency and enhance bioavailability and digestibility while maintaining the same physicochemical properties, taste, texture, as animal proteins, has also been highlighted.

Unravelling the nutritional and health benefits of wheat bread enriched with meat powder from laying hen fed diet with insect (Hermetia illucens) meal

Wheat bread is among stable foods that are nutritionally imbalanced, thus enrichment is crucial. We evaluated the nutritional impact of high-valued wheat bread enriched with varying levels of meat powder from hen fed diet with insect (Hermetia illucens)-based meal. Crude protein and ash in bread increased with increasing inclusion of meat powder. Limiting amino acids like lysine and threonine in enriched bread products increased by 3.0-4.5 and 1.8-3.1-folds, respectively. Omega 3 fatty acids were significantly enhanced in bread fortified with meat powder. Vitamins (retinol, nicotinic acid, and pantothenic acid) were significantly increased in supplemented bread products. Iron, zinc, and calcium increased by 1.1, 1.2 and 3.0-folds in enriched bread with 30% meat powder. Colour, flavour and overall acceptability of breads prepared with 25 and 30% meat powder were highly ranked. Our findings demonstrate that meat powder (i.e., from hen fed insect-based diets) enrichment would provide added health and nutritional benefits to bread products without having adverse effects on any functional or sensory properties. Thus, this could be a novel strategy and trend for improving bread products, that might generate increasing demand for a healthier consumer-oriented lifestyle.

Aroma characterization and consumer acceptance of four cookie products enriched with insect (Ruspolia differens) meal

This research aims to advance knowledge on the impact of four processing methods on volatile compounds from insect-based baked products (cookies) to provide insights on consumer acceptance. Samples were exposed to double step enzyme digestive test, volatiles characterized through headspace analysis, while semi-trained panelists were recruited for the sensory test. Blanched and boiled samples of R. differens had considerably higher digestibility (83.42% and 81.61%, respectively) (p < 0.05) than toasted and deep-fried samples. Insect-based cookie products integrated with blanched and boiled R. differens meal expressed higher digestibility (80.41% and 78.73%, respectively) that was comparable to that of commercial cookie products (control cookies-CTRC with 88.22%). Key volatile compounds common between the various cookie products included, nonanal, octanal, methyl-pyrazine, hexanal, tetradecane, 2-pentylfuran, 2-heptanone, 2E-octenal, 2E-heptenal and dodecane. Among the volatile compounds, pleasant aromas observed were 2E,4E-dodecadienal, pentanal, octanal, methyl pyrazine, furfurals, benzaldehyde, and 2-pentyl furan, which were more pronounced in cookies fortified with boiled, toasted and deep-fried R. differens meal. There was a greater resemblance of sensory characteristics between control cookies and those fortified with deep-fried R. differens. These findings underscore the significant influence of aroma compounds on consumer acceptability and preference for insect-based baked food products, which allows for future process-modification of innate aromas of insect-based meals to produce high-valued pleasant consumer driven market products.

Effects of Temperature and Density on House Cricket Survival and Growth and on the Prevalence of Acheta Domesticus Densovirus

The house cricket, Acheta domesticus, is a commonly reared insect for food and feed purposes. In 1977, a report described a colony collapse, which was caused by the single-stranded DNA virus Acheta domesticus densovirus (AdDV). Currently, there are no confirmed A. domesticus colonies free of AdDV, and viral disease outbreaks are a continuous threat to A. domesticus mass rearing. Correlations between cricket rearing density or temperature and AdDV abundance have been hypothesized, but experimental evidence is lacking. Optimised rearing conditions, including temperature and density, are key to cost-effective cricket production. In this study, house crickets were subjected to different combinations of rearing density (10, 20, 40 crickets per box) and temperature (25, 30, 35 °C) to study the effect on cricket survival, biomass, and AdDV abundance. Rearing temperature affected had a minor effect on survival, which ranged between 80 and 83%. Total cricket biomass increased with higher temperatures and higher densities. Viral abundance in crickets at the end of the rearing period was variable; however, high rearing density seemed to result in higher AdDV abundance. At 35 °C, a temperature considered suboptimal for house cricket production, viral abundance tended to be lower than at 25 or 30 °C.

Hybrid Sausages Using Pork and Cricket Flour: Texture and Oxidative Storage Stability

This study aimed to study the functionalities of cricket flour (CF) and the effects of the addition of CF on the texture and oxidative stability of hybrid sausages made from lean pork and CF. Functional properties of CF, including protein solubility, water-holding capacity, and gelling capacity, were examined at different pHs, NaCl concentrations, and CF contents in laboratory tests. The protein solubility of CF was significantly affected by pH, being at its lowest at pH 5 (within the range 2–10), and the highest protein solubility toward NaCl concentrations was found at 1.0 M (at pH 6.8). A gel was formed when the CF content was ≥10%. A control sausage was made from lean pork, pork fat, salt, phosphate, and ice water. Three different hybrid sausages were formulated by adding CF at 1%, 2.5%, and 5.0% levels on top of the base (control) recipe. In comparison to control sausage, the textural properties of the CF sausages in terms of hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, chewiness, resilience, and fracturability decreased significantly, which corresponded to the rheological results of the raw sausage batter when heated at a higher temperature range (~45–80 °C). The addition of CF to the base recipe accelerated both lipid and protein oxidation during 14 days of storage, as indicated by the changes in TBARS and carbonyls and the loss of free thiols and tryptophan fluorescence intensity. These results suggest that the addition of CF, even at low levels (≤5%), had negative effects on the texture and oxidative stability of the hybrid sausages.

Crickets (Acheta domesticus) as Wheat Bread Ingredient: Influence on Bread Quality and Safety Characteristics

The aim of this study was to assess respondents' opinions on the choice of edible insects as a food, and to evaluate the influence of cricket flour (ECF) (10, 20, 30%) on the quality of wheat bread (WB). Whereas ECF is an additional source of acrylamide precursors, in order to reduce acrylamide formation in WB, fermentation of ECF with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum-No.122 was applied. It was established that 70.7% of the respondents had never eaten insects and more than 30% would not choose them. However, ECF was suitable substrate for fermentation (lactobacilli count 8.24 log₁₀CFU/g, pH-4.26). In addition, fermentation reduced the total biogenic amines content in ECF (by 13.1%). The highest specific volume showed WB, prepared with fermented ECF (10, 20, 30%). All the tested WB showed similar overall acceptability (on average, 7.9 points). However, the highest intensity of emotion "happy" was induced by the WB, prepared with fermented ECF. Most of the WB with non-treated and fermented ECF showed higher acrylamide concentration (except WB with 10% of fermented ECF), in comparison with the control. Finally, fermentation is recommended for ECF inclusion in the main WB formula because fermentation improves not only quality but also reduces acrylamide concentration in WB.

Consumer Attitudes and Acceptability of Wheat Pancakes with the Addition of Edible Insects: Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor), Buffalo Worm (Alphitobius diaperinus), and Cricket (Acheta domesticus)

The aim of this study was to determine the degree of acceptability of wheat pancakes with the addition of 10%, 20%, and 30% meal from three edible insect species (Alphitobius diaperinus, Tenebrio molitor, Acheta domesticus, respectively). Both consumer attitudes and the acceptability of the test samples were analysed. The study results show that the amount of additive had a statistically significant effect on all of the organoleptic evaluation's distinguishing features, while the type of additive did not have such a significant effect on the level of consumer acceptability. Both the type and amount of the additive only had a statistically significant effect on the structure of the pancakes. Of all the variants, the sample with the addition of 30% crickets (Pref-2.51) was given the lowest score. An increase in the insect meal content of the products resulted in decreased scores for all the parameters under assessment. The key element that influenced the overall preference was the flavour. Even though the respondents declared positive attitudes towards the idea of consuming pancakes with the addition of insects and entomophagy in general, they were still reluctant to include insects in their diets.

Nutritional Composition, Health Benefits, and Application Value of Edible Insects: A Review

For thousands of years, edible insects have been used as food to alleviate hunger and improve malnutrition. Some insects have also been used as medicines because of their therapeutic properties. This is not only due to the high nutritional value of edible insects, but more importantly, the active substances from edible insects have a variety of biofunctional activities. In this paper, we described and summarized the nutritional composition of edible insects and discussed the biological functions of edible insects and their potential benefits for human health. A summary analysis of the findings for each active function confirms that edible insects have the potential to develop functional foods and medicines that are beneficial to humans. In addition, we analyzed the issues that need to be considered in the application of edible insects and the current status of edible insects in food and pharmaceutical applications. We concluded with a discussion of regulations related to edible insects and an outlook on future research and applications of edible insects. By analyzing the current state of research on edible insects, we aim to raise awareness of the use of edible insects to improve human health and thus promote their better use and development.

Chemical Composition, Nutritional Value, and Acceptance of Nut Bars with the Addition of Edible Insect Powder

Six types of nut-based bars with the addition of edible insect flour were obtained. Flours made from three different insects (Tenebrio molitor L., Acheta domesticus L., Alphitobius diaperinus P.) were used at two different additive levels (15% and 30%) in relation to the weight of the nuts. The addition of insect flour significantly increased protein content and the insoluble fraction of dietary fiber. The largest amount of these compounds was found in bars with 30% cricket flour, 15.51 g/100 g and 6.04 g/100 g, respectively, in comparison to standard bars, 10.78 g/100 g and 3.14 g/100 g, respectively. The greatest consumer acceptance was found in relation to bars with buffalo worm flour. The overall acceptance of these bars was 6.26-6.28 points compared to 6.48 for standard bars. Bars and raw materials were characterized by the high biological value of the protein. Cis linoleic acid dominated among unsaturated fatty acids. The percentage of this compound was in the range of 69.56%, for bars with a 30% addition of buffalo worm flour, to 73.88%, for bars with 15% cricket flour. Instrumental analysis of taste and smell compounds showed the presence of compounds such as 3-methylbutanoic acid, hexanal, and 2,3-pentanedione.

Optimizing the Rheological and Textural Properties of Chapatti Enriched with House Crickets (Acheta domesticus) Flour Using Hydrocolloids by an I-Optimal Design

The fortification of food with edible insect flour can improve its nutrition profile, but also affect its techno-functional characteristics. In this study, an I-optimal design was applied to improve the rheological and textural properties of wheat flour chapatti containing 10% cricket (Acheta domesticus) flour. More specifically, the impact and optimal addition of hydrocolloids (carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, guar gum and xanthan gum) and water content were studied. For all the responses, the model and model terms were highly significant and showed the different impact of the hydrocolloids on the rheological properties. To evaluate the predictive power of the models, two sets of optimal process settings were chosen: one based on dough properties, and another on baked chapatti. For both sets, the actual responses were in the range of predicted responses for almost all properties. In addition, it was shown that using the settings based on dough properties, the actual responses were not significantly different from the control chapatti, whereas for the settings based on baked chapatti, there were differences in terms of the extensibility of both dough and chapatti. Thus, the I-optimal design is suitable to optimize the dough properties and the baked chapatti when enriching chapatti with cricket flour.

Formulation of Protein-Rich Chocolate Chip Cookies Using Cricket (Acheta domesticus) Powder

In the Western world, the successful introduction of insect consumption may need awareness of insect ingredient benefits, and consumers' anticipation of insect-based foods with sensory quality is crucial. The objective of this study was to develop protein-rich nutritional chocolate chip cookies (CCC) from cricket powder (CP) and analyze their physicochemical, liking, emotions, purchase intent, and sensory properties. The CP additions levels were 0%, 5%, 7.5%, and 10%. Chemical composition, physicochemical, and functional properties were analyzed using individual and mixed CP and wheat flour (WF). The proximate composition of CP mainly consisted of ash (3.9%), fat (13.4%), and protein (60.7%). In vitro protein digestibility of CP was 85.7%, whereas the essential amino acid score was 0.82. The CP inclusion significantly impacted the WF functional and rheological properties in all given incorporation levels in flour blends and doughs. The incorporation of CP produced darker and softer CCC, resulting from the effect of the CP protein. Adding 5% of CP did not impact the sensory attributes. Purchase intent and liking improved by using 5% of CP after panelists had revealed the beneficial information regarding CP. Concerning emotion terms, "happy" and "satisfied" significantly decreased while the negative emotion term "disgusted" increased among the highest CP substitute levels (7.5% and 10%) after beneficial information. Overall liking, flavor linking, education, consumption intent, gender, age, and positive emotion term "happy" were significantly assertive predictors affecting purchase intent.

Effectiveness of a teaching unit on the willingness to consume insect-based food - An intervention study with adolescents from Germany

This study investigated the effect of a four-lesson teaching unit titled "Entomophagy and Sustainability" on the willingness of adolescents in Germany to consume insect-based food (N = 114; M Age = 15.77 years; SD Age = 1.12 years; female = 58.8%). The main aim of the study was to test whether the teaching unit can induce long-term changes in selected nutritional-psychological factors (food disgust, food neophobia, food technology neophobia), attitudes, knowledge, and the willingness to consume insect-based food. For this purpose, a paper-pencil questionnaire was conducted immediately before (pre-test), immediately after (post-test), and approximately six weeks after (follow-up test) the teaching unit. Although significant changes in food disgust, food neophobia, food technology neophobia, attitudes, and knowledge were recorded, adolescents' willingness to consume insect-based food was not significantly increased. Attitudes were identified as the strongest predictor of adolescents' willingness to consume, while knowledge was not a significant predictor. Conclusions and recommendations that can be applied to other educational interventions are provided to increase the effectiveness of the teaching unit.

Recent Insight on Edible Insect Protein: Extraction, Functional Properties, Allergenicity, Bioactivity, and Applications

Due to the recent increase in the human population and the associated shortage of protein resources, it is necessary to find new, sustainable, and natural protein resources from invertebrates (such as insects) and underutilized plants. In most cases, compared to plants (e.g., grains and legumes) and animals (e.g., fish, beef, chicken, lamb, and pork), insect proteins are high in quality in terms of their nutritional value, total protein content, and essential amino acid composition. This review evaluates the recent state of insects as an alternative protein source from production to application; more specifically, it introduces in detail the latest advances in the protein extraction process. As an alternative source of protein in food formulations, the functional characteristics of edible insect protein are comprehensively presented, and the risk of allergy associated with insect protein is also discussed. The biological activity of protein hydrolyzates from different species of insects (Bombyx mori, Hermetia illucens, Acheta domesticus, Tenebrio molitor) are also reviewed, and the hydrolysates (bioactive peptides) are found to have either antihypertensive, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial activity. Finally, the use of edible insect protein in various food applications is presented.

Black soldier fly larvae for organic manure recycling and its potential for a circular bioeconomy: A review

Livestock farming and its products provide a diverse range of benefits for our day-to-day life. However, the ever-increasing demand for farmed animals has raised concerns about waste management and its impact on the environment. Worldwide, cattle produce enormous amounts of manure, which is detrimental to soil properties if poorly managed. Waste management with insect larvae is considered one of the most efficient techniques for resource recovery from manure. In recent years, the use of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) for resource recovery has emerged as an effective method. Using BSFL has several advantages over traditional methods, as the larvae produce a safe compost and extract trace elements like Cu and Zn. This paper is a comprehensive review of the potential of BSFL for recycling organic wastes from livestock farming, manure bioconversion, parameters affecting the BSFL application on organic farming, and process performance of biomolecule degradation. The last part discusses the economic feasibility, lifecycle assessment, and circular bioeconomy of the BSFL in manure recycling. Moreover, it discusses the future perspectives associated with the application of BSFL. Specifically, this review discusses BSFL cultivation and its impact on the larvae's physiology, gut biochemical physiology, gut microbes and metabolic pathways, nutrient conservation and global warming potential, microbial decomposition of organic nutrients, total and pathogenic microbial dynamics, and recycling of rearing residues as fertilizer.

Protein Ingredients in Bread: Technological, Textural and Health Implications

The current lifestyle and trend for healthier foods has generated a growing consumer interest in acquiring bread products with a better nutritional composition, primarily products with high protein and fiber and low fat. Incorporating different protein sources as functional ingredients has improved the nutritional profile but may also affect the dough properties and final characteristics of bread. This review focuses on the incorporation of different animal, vegetable, and mixed protein sources, and the percentage of protein addition, analyzing nutritional changes and their impact on dough properties and different texture parameters, appearances, and their impact on bread flavor and health-related effects. Alternative processing technologies such as germination and sourdough-based technologies are discussed. Using fermented doughs can improve the nutritional composition and properties of the dough, impacting positively the texture, appearance, flavor, and aroma of bread. It is essential to innovate alternative protein sources in combination with technological strategies that allow better incorporation of these ingredients, not only to improve the nutritional profile but also to maintain the texture and enhance the sensory properties of the bread and consequently, increase the effects on consumer health.

The contribution of edible cricket flour to quality parameters and sensory characteristics of wheat bread

This study evaluated the influence of edible cricket flour (ECF) on the quality parameters and sensory characteristics of wheat bread (WB), including the formation of volatile compounds (VC) and their relationship with emotions (EM) induced for consumers. ECF reduced dough pH, redness, and yellowness. At 5%, ECF increased the porosity of WB (by 7.87%). The quantity of ECF significantly affected WB's specific volume (p = .030), porosity (p = .0001), shape coefficient (p = .0001), and mass loss (p = .023). All WB with ECF had a more intense color and additive odor. Bread samples with 10% and 15% ECF had more intense overall, additive, acidity, and bitterness flavors. However, all WB had similar overall acceptability (OA) and no correlations were found between OA and VC. The EM "happy" and "sad" were expressed more intensely for WB with 15% ECF, and significant correlations were established between the EM "happy" and separate VC. The main VC in WB were ethanol; 1-butanol and 3-methyl; 1-hexanol; estragole; and hexanoic acid. Finally, 5% ECF could be incorporated into the main WB formula without having a negative impact on bread quality. Also, ECF influences VC formation, and separate VC could be related to emotions induced for consumers.

Nutritional composition and sensory Properties of wheat muffins enriched with Gonimbrasia zambesina, walker caterpillar flour

Sub-Saharan Africa still bears the greatest forms of malnutrition. Attention is shifting to the use of edible insects in forms which are acceptable to people irrespective of their social status and level of civilization in efforts to alleviate protein malnutrition. Gonimbrasia zambesina (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) caterpillars emerge seasonally in the coastal part of Kenya and despite their rich nutritional profile, their consumption is low. This study was thus undertaken to evaluate the effect of substituting wheat flour with G. zambesina caterpillar flour at 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% substitution levels on the nutritional composition and sensory properties of wheat muffins. Substituting wheat flour with G. zambesina caterpillar flour resulted in significantly high protein, fat and fibre contents of enriched wheat muffins. There was also an increasing trend in the ash, minerals and tocopherol content. Invitro protein digestibility significantly decreased from 10 to 20% substitution levels. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the carbohydrate contents of enriched wheat muffins. The sensory scores for colour, texture, aroma and the overall acceptability of wheat muffins decreased with increasing substitution levels. At 10% substitution level, wheat muffins had significantly higher nutritional content than control wheat muffins (0%) and were comparable to muffins enriched with 5% G. zambesina caterpillar flour in terms of overall acceptability. Thus, enriching wheat muffins with G. zambesina caterpillar flour at 10% substitution level has the potential to contribute to improved protein nutrition since they have a higher protein content than the control wheat muffin and are 88.8% digestible (in vitro).

Effect of Partial Substitution of Flour with Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) Powder on Dough and Biscuit Properties

Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) is a type of edible insect rich in protein that has become popular as a protein-alternative ingredient in flour-based products to improve the nutritional properties of baking products. The mealworm powder substitution affected the pasting, farinograph, extensograph properties of wheat flour and the texture, nutritional, and sensory properties of the resulting soda biscuit. The pasting parameters (peak viscosity, trough viscosity, breakdown viscosity, final viscosity, and setback viscosity) and the water absorption decreased with the increased mealworm powder substitution level, which was ascribed to the dilution effect of mealworm powder. The farinograph parameters remained similar up to 15% substitution level. The extensograph results showed that mealworm powder substitution decreased the elastic properties of wheat dough as indicated by the consistently decreased extensibility, stretching energy, and stretching resistance, resulting in a significantly decreased baking expansion ratio of the soda biscuit. The protein, lipid, and dietary fiber content of the biscuits increased accordingly with the increased mealworm powder substitution level. The protein content of the soda biscuit was gradually increased from 9.13/100 g for the control (M0) to 16.0/100 g for that supplemented with 20% mealworm powder (M20), accompanied with the significantly increased essential amino acid content. Meanwhile, the fat and dietary fiber content of M20 exhibited 20.5 and 21.7% increase compared to those of M0. The score of the sensory attributes showed no significant difference up to 15% substitution level. The results demonstrated the 15% mealworm powder substitution level would not significantly affect the farinograph property, microstructure of wheat dough, and sensory acceptability.

Whole Wheat Bread Enriched with Cricket Powder as an Alternative Protein

The current market trends in modern sedentary lifestyles drive the development of new functional products able to fulfill consumers’ demand for a healthy diet. Whole wheat bread contains more protein and fiber than white bread; however, it could be improved in terms of protein content and quality. Cricket powder, which contains high protein (55.11, wt%), could be used as an alternative source to tackle those deficiencies in such bread. Hence, the study aimed to apply cricket powder in the whole wheat bread formula to enrich protein content, indispensable amino acids and determine their physico-chemical properties, consumers’ acceptance, and shelf-life storage. The results showed that all enriched bread presented high protein (18.97−25.94, wt%), fat (10.91−15.07, wt%), and ash (2.09−2.33, wt%) with the increment of the cricket powder than those of the control bread. Enriched breads’ crust colors were not significantly different (p > 0.05), while crumb colors were darker (L* = 55.64−64.48) compared to the control (L* = 69.98). Enriched bread had a hard texture and required a lot of chewing force compared to the control. Furthermore, all samples yielded a shelf-life of 5 days when monitoring the mold growth. From the results, the bread enriched with 20% cricket powder yielded the best consumers’ acceptance score of 77%. It was predominantly high in indispensable amino acids such as leucine, phenylalanine, lysine, and arginine. Therefore, cricket powder could be a novel alternative protein source and successfully utilized in whole wheat bread to enhance its protein content and indispensable amino acids with consumers’ acceptance responding to the current market trend.

Protein Sources Alternative to Meat: State of the Art and Involvement of Fermentation

Meat represents an important protein source, even in developing countries, but its production is scarcely sustainable, and its excessive consumption poses health issues. An increasing number of Western consumers would replace, at least partially, meat with alternative protein sources. This review aims at: (i) depicting nutritional, functional, sensory traits, and critical issues of single-cell proteins (SCP), filamentous fungi, microalgae, vegetables (alone or mixed with milk), and insects and (ii) displaying how fermentation could improve their quality, to facilitate their use as food items/ingredients/supplements. Production of SCP (yeasts, filamentous fungi, microalgae) does not need arable land and potable water and can run continuously, also using wastes and byproducts. Some filamentous fungi are also consumed as edible mushrooms, and others are involved in the fermentation of traditional vegetable-based foods. Cereals, pseudocereals, and legumes may be combined to offer an almost complete amino acid profile. Fermentation of such vegetables, even in combination with milk-based products (e.g., tarhana), could increase nutrient concentrations, including essential amino acids, and improve sensory traits. Different insects could be used, as such or, to increase their acceptability, as ingredient of foods (e.g., pasta). However, insects as a protein source face with safety concerns, cultural constraints, and a lack of international regulatory framework.

The Impact of Insect Flour on Sourdough Fermentation-Fatty Acids, Amino-Acids, Minerals and Volatile Profile

Simple Summary

Acheta domesticus (house cricket) flour is one of the most promising and sustainable sources of nutrients. It is rich in protein, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids, and vitamins and it has a low impact on the consumption of natural environmental resources. On the other side, fermentation with lactic acid bacteria represents a technological tool that can improve further the nutritional quality of flours. Therefore, the aim of the present research was to study the adaptability of the Lactobacillus plantarum strain on insect flour fermentation. Fatty acids, amino acids, minerals, and aroma volatile compounds were analyzed during 48 h of fermentation. Fermentation improved the nutritional quantity of the bioactive compounds, mainly after 24 h of fermentation, where they reached higher extended values. Overall, our findings indicate that insect flour is able to support the growth and development of the Lactobacillus plantarum strain, leading to an enriched insect flour sourdough that could be further used in the manufacturing of new products.

Abstract

Acheta domesticus (L.1758) has been recently accepted by the European Union as a novel food, being the third insect that has been approved for human consumption. Nowadays, researchers’ attention is focused on exploiting new protein sustainable sources, and, therefore, insect flour has gained more and more interest. Organic acids, fatty acids, amino acids, aroma volatile compounds, and minerals were analyzed through HPLC-RID (High-performance liquid chromatography), GC-MS (Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry), LC-MS (Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry), ITEX/GC-MS and AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry), respectively. Fermentation of the insect flour with Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 8014 strain (Lp) leads to an increase in organic acids such as lactic, acetic, and oxalic, whilst citric acid decreases its value. SFA (saturated fatty acids) and MUFA (monosaturated fatty acids) groups were positively influenced by Lp fermentation; meanwhile, PUFA (polysaturated fatty acids) decreased during fermentation. A positive trend was observed for amino acids, aroma volatile content, and minerals enhancement during insect sourdough fermentation, mainly at 24 h of fermentation. Acheta domesticus (A. domesticus) sourdough fermentation represents a new tool that needs to be further exploited aiming to improve the nutritional qualities of the final products.

Technological Performance of Cricket Powder (Acheta domesticus L.) in Wheat-Based Formulations

The recent socio-economic situation requires producers to change the composition of basic foods. The aim of this study was to assess the technological properties of wheat flour enriched with cricket powder (CP) (at 5%, 10%, and 20% levels) for the development of bread and pasta. The hydration (i.e., water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity, water absorption index, water solubility index, and swelling power), foaming (i.e., foaming capacity and stability),emulsifying (emulsifying activity and emulsion stability), and rheological (during gluten aggregation, mixing, extension, and leavening) properties were investigated. Finally, bread and fresh pasta were prepared and characterized. Emulsifying activity, stability, and foaming capacity decreased in the presence of CP, whereas foaming stability and water solubility increased. The results on dough rheology highlighted the need to increase the amount of water, and to decrease the mixing and leavening time, to keep an acceptable bread volume. Indeed, 10% CP enrichment led to a product characterized by a similar volume and crumb hardness to the control (wheat flour). Despite the decrease in extensibility caused by CP, it was possible to produce fresh pasta enriched with CP, with the best cooking behavior obtained at a 5% replacement level.

Satiety of Edible Insect-Based Food Products as a Component of Body Weight Control

Among the many aspects determining the nutritional potential of insect-based foods, research into the satiating potential of foods is an important starting point in the design of new functional foods, including those based on edible insects. The aim of this study was to assess the satiating value of products with the addition of freeze-dried insect flour. The test material included wheat pancakes in which corresponding proportions of wheat flour were substituted with 10% Mw, 0% Mw, and 30% Mw of flour from freeze-dried Tenebrio molitor, 10% Bw, 20% Bw, and 30% Bw of flour from Alphitobius diaperinus, and 10% Cr, 20% Cr, and 30% Cr of flour from Acheta domesticus. The study included the characterisation of physico-chemical properties and their effect on the satiating potential of the analysed pancakes. A total of 71 healthy volunteers (n = 39 women, n = 32 men) with no food phobias were qualified for the study. Each subject rated the level of hunger and satiety before and after ingestion at 30 min intervals over the subsequent 180 min on two separate graphical scales. The rating was done on an unstructured 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS). A portion intended for testing had a value of 240 kcal. The highest average satiety values were noted for the pancakes with an addition of 30% Alphitobius diaperinus (Bw) and with the addition of 20% and 30% addition of Acheta domesticus flour (Cr). The Tenebrio molitor-based products were the least satiating. However, the largest addition of 30% of an insect flour for each variant considerably increased the satiating potential as compared to the control sample. Satiety was influenced the most by the protein content in the test wheat pancakes. The results support the idea of a possible usage of insect-based food products in the composition of obesity treatment diets, carbohydrate-limiting diets, and as alternative sources of protein.

Physicochemical and sensory properties of biscuits formulated with Tenebrio molitor and Alphitobius diaperinus flours

The use of insects is considered by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as an alternative source of protein for human and animal food in order to reduce the carbon footprint caused by meat production and to supply the expected population increase with food. In this regard, the aim of this study was to analyze the physicochemical aspects (water activity, protein and fat content, size, optical and mechanical properties) of biscuits prepared with two different insect powders (Tenebrio molitor [TM] and Alphitobius diaperinus [AD], in different percentages [0, 13, 17, 20, and 25%]) based on total weight. In addition, the biscuits formulated with the highest insect powder content were subjected to sensory analysis. The results revealed that all the biscuits formulated with insect powders may be labeled as “high in protein” products following Regulation (EC) No. 1924/2006, although they were not as thick as the control biscuits. The L* and b* coordinates were significantly lower when the insect powders were included, which implied a darkening of the biscuits, which were also harder than the control biscuits, regardless the concentration used. According to the sensory analysis, most panelists perceived the biscuits containing insects as too dark and not crunchy enough and an increase in sweetness might improve their acceptability. Finally, further studies should be carried out to analyze the influence of different structural components and flavorings, such as chocolate, in the formulation of biscuits with insect powders to improve their sensory attributes.

Overcoming Technical and Market Barriers to Enable Sustainable Large-Scale Production and Consumption of Insect Proteins in Europe: A SUSINCHAIN Perspective

Simple Summary

Insects are increasingly being used in Europe as a new or alternative source of protein for both direct human consumption and ingredients for feed and food production. Upscaling edible insect production and processing to a sustainable industrial sector is critical to supply the market and meet the foreseen future demands. In a market where transition to more sustainable protein sources is one of the primary challenges, sustainable insect products can contribute to a circular and sustainable economy as well as food security. SUSINCHAIN (SUStainable INsect CHAIN) is a European Horizon 2020 project that aims to contribute to overcome technical and market barriers to enable sustainable large-scale production and consumption of insect proteins in Europe by generating and sharing knowledge, as well as testing, piloting, and demonstrating newly developed insect chain innovations and increasing societal engagement. This article provides an outline of the various obstacles to upscaling of the insect sector and the project’s contributions to overcome these. The project covers the topics of: market opportunities, consumer perception, optimization of insect rearing conditions and substrates, insect transportation and processing techniques, application of insect products in food and feed, food safety issues in insect production and processing, together with economic and environmental sustainability. The project’s outcomes will provide tools for scaling up and commercializing the European insect sector.

Abstract

The expected global population growth to 9.7 billion people in 2050 and the significant change in global dietary patterns require an increase in global food production by about 60%. The protein supply for feed and food is most critical and requires an extension in protein sources. Edible insects can upgrade low-grade side streams of food production into high-quality protein, amino acids and vitamins in a very efficient way. Insects are considered to be the “missing link” in the food chain of a circular and sustainable economy. Insects and insect-derived products have entered the European market since first being acknowledged as a valuable protein source for feed and food production in around 2010. However, today, scaling up the insect value chain in Europe is progressing at a relatively slow pace. The mission of SUSINCHAIN (SUStainable INsect CHAIN)—a four-year project which has received funding from the European Commission—is to contribute to novel protein provision for feed and food in Europe by overcoming the remaining barriers for increasing the economic viability of the insect value chain and opening markets by combining forces in a comprehensive multi-actor consortium. The overall project objective is to test, pilot and demonstrate recently developed technologies, products and processes, to realize a shift up to Technology Readiness Level 6 or higher. In addition to these crucial activities, the project engages with stakeholders in the insect protein supply chain for feed and food by living labs and workshops. These actions provide the necessary knowledge and data for actors in the insect value chain to decrease the cost price of insect products, process insects more efficiently and market insect protein applications in animal feed and regular human diets that are safe and sustainable. This paves the way for further upscaling and commercialization of the European insect sector.

Consumers' perception towards eggs from laying hens fed commercial black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal-based feeds

Increased demand for animal protein has motivated the search for more efficient livestock production systems. In recent years, there has been growing interest to incorporate insect meal as an alternative source of protein to fish/soybean meal in chicken feed for improved nutrition, sustainability, and animal welfare benefits. Black soldier fly larval (BSFL)-based feeds has been shown to increase egg production in a cost-effective manner. However, poultry consumers perception towards the consumption of eggs from layers fed diet integrated with BSFL-based meal have received limited research attention. This study evaluates consumers' perception towards eggs from hens fed BSFL-based diets and socioeconomic factors influencing the conceived perceptions. The study adopted an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and binary logit regression models to establish perceptions of 200 consumers in Kiambu County, Kenya. Our results revealed that 65% of the consumers were aware of the benefits of integrating insect protein in poultry feed. Over 70% of respondents showed preference and willingness to consume egg products from hens fed diets with BSFL-based feeds. The EFA identified perceived benefits, ethics and traceability as the key aspects that influence consumer intention to consume eggs. Binary logit model revealed that consumer characteristics such as household size, gender, awareness of insects as feed, off-farm income, household income, nature of buying place, and access to credit were important factors driving consumers perceptions. Our findings provide insight into the market perception and potential of eggs from laying hens fed BSFL-based feeds. Our findings demonstrated that increased awareness creation and evidence-based demonstration on the benefits of BSFL-based feed in poultry production would improve consumer perception and foster uptake of this rapidly growing and emerging technology. This work contributes to the limited knowledge on BSFL-based feeds and paves way for further linkages between farmers, public private partners, policy makers, and consumers.