TY - JOUR
T1 - Evaluating the nutritional content of an insect-fortified food for the child complementary diet in Ghana
AU - Parker, Megan E.
AU - Zobrist, Stephanie
AU - Lutterodt, Herman E.
AU - Asiedu, Cyril R.
AU - Donahue, Chantal
AU - Edick, Connor
AU - Mansen, Kimberly
AU - Pelto, Gretel
AU - Milani, Peiman
AU - Soor, Shobhita
AU - Laar, Amos
AU - Engmann, Cyril M.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 The Author(s).
PY - 2020/6/19
Y1 - 2020/6/19
N2 - Background: Due to rising food insecurity, natural resource scarcity, population growth, and the cost of and demand for animal proteins, insects as food have emerged as a relevant topic. This study examines the nutrient content of the palm weevil larva (Rhynchophorus phoenicis), a traditionally consumed edible insect called akokono in Ghana, and assesses its potential as an animal-source, complementary food. Methods: Akokono in two "unmixed"forms (raw, roasted) and one "mixed"form (akokono-groundnut paste) were evaluated for their macronutrient, micronutrient, amino acid, and fatty acid profiles. Results: Nutrient analyses revealed that a 32 g (2 tbsp.) serving of akokono-groundnut paste, compared to recommended daily allowances or adequate intakes (infant 7-12 months; child 1-3 years), is a rich source of protein (99%; 84%), minerals [copper (102%; 66%), magnesium (54%; 51%), zinc (37%; 37%)], B-vitamins [niacin (63%; 42%), riboflavin (26%; 20%), folate (40%; 21%)], Vitamin E (a-tocopherol) (440%; 366%), and linoleic acid (165%; 108%). Feed experiments indicated that substituting palm pith, the typical larval diet, for pito mash, a local beer production by-product, increased the carbohydrate, potassium, calcium, sodium, and zinc content of raw akokono. Akokono-groundnut paste meets (within 10%) or exceeds the levels of essential amino acids specified by the Institute of Medicine criteria for animal-source foods, except for lysine. Conclusions: Pairing akokono with other local foods (e.g., potatoes, soybeans) can enhance its lysine content and create a more complete dietary amino acid profile. The promotion of akokono as a complementary food could play an important role in nutrition interventions targeting children in Ghana.
AB - Background: Due to rising food insecurity, natural resource scarcity, population growth, and the cost of and demand for animal proteins, insects as food have emerged as a relevant topic. This study examines the nutrient content of the palm weevil larva (Rhynchophorus phoenicis), a traditionally consumed edible insect called akokono in Ghana, and assesses its potential as an animal-source, complementary food. Methods: Akokono in two "unmixed"forms (raw, roasted) and one "mixed"form (akokono-groundnut paste) were evaluated for their macronutrient, micronutrient, amino acid, and fatty acid profiles. Results: Nutrient analyses revealed that a 32 g (2 tbsp.) serving of akokono-groundnut paste, compared to recommended daily allowances or adequate intakes (infant 7-12 months; child 1-3 years), is a rich source of protein (99%; 84%), minerals [copper (102%; 66%), magnesium (54%; 51%), zinc (37%; 37%)], B-vitamins [niacin (63%; 42%), riboflavin (26%; 20%), folate (40%; 21%)], Vitamin E (a-tocopherol) (440%; 366%), and linoleic acid (165%; 108%). Feed experiments indicated that substituting palm pith, the typical larval diet, for pito mash, a local beer production by-product, increased the carbohydrate, potassium, calcium, sodium, and zinc content of raw akokono. Akokono-groundnut paste meets (within 10%) or exceeds the levels of essential amino acids specified by the Institute of Medicine criteria for animal-source foods, except for lysine. Conclusions: Pairing akokono with other local foods (e.g., potatoes, soybeans) can enhance its lysine content and create a more complete dietary amino acid profile. The promotion of akokono as a complementary food could play an important role in nutrition interventions targeting children in Ghana.
KW - Animal-source food
KW - Complementary food
KW - Edible insects
KW - Ghana
KW - Nutrient profile
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85089036081&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1186/s40795-020-0331-6
DO - 10.1186/s40795-020-0331-6
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85089036081
SN - 2055-0928
VL - 6
JO - BMC Nutrition
JF - BMC Nutrition
IS - 1
M1 - 7
ER -