Effects of processing on nutritional and anti-nutritional content of selected edible insects
| dc.contributor.author | Gachihi Anne Wanjiru | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-07-10T08:41:09Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-07-10T08:41:09Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024 | |
| dc.description | AbstraA Research Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Science (Applied Analytical Chemistry) in the School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Kenyatta University, January 2024 Supervisor: Prof. H. Nyambaka Prof. J.Kimiywe Dr C. Tanga | |
| dc.description.abstract | Balanced diet during formative years is essential for the growth of a child’s full human potential; otherwise lack of it may result in malnutrition. inadequate intake of nutrients, onset of diseases in children and poor complementary feeding practices are the primary causes of malnutrition during infancy. In Africa complementary foods, which are based on starchy foods are usually inadequate in proteins and minerals. Entomophagy contributes to reduced malnutrition as well as a healthy population since insects have sufficient amounts of proteins, vitamins and minerals. Insects can be used in enhancing the nutrients in children food formulations. However, processing of insects may affect their nutritional content. The aim of this research was to assess the effect of processing on some nutrients and anti-nutrient in selected edible insects. The termites and lake fly samples were collected from Got Agulu village in Bondo subcounty, Siaya County, while the grasshoppers and locusts were collected from Emaene village in Khwisero Sub-County, Kakamega County. Sun drying was achieved by direct exposure of the samples to sunlight for 3 days, 8 hours a day, while oven drying was achieved by drying the samples in the air- oven at 600 c for 48 hours. Defatting was done manually by use of a press machine. Dry matter, proteins, minerals and antinutrients in fresh, sun dried, oven dried and defatted edible insects (termites, lake-fly, locusts and grasshoppers) were determined using standard methods. The proximate analysis (moisture, ash and protein) was done using AOAC methods while minerals analysis was done using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Anti-nutrients analysis was done using a UV-VIS spectrophotometer for phytates and tannins, and titration method for oxalates. The moisture content for the fresh insects ranged from 40.00% - 55.01% and was significantly reduced to less than 10% on drying. The ash content of the fresh insects was between 1.09% and 2.8% and was significantly increased by more than 50% on processing. Fresh edible insects had crude protein ranging from 16.24 g/100g to 19.20 g/100g and processing significantly increased it in the order: defatting > oven-drying > sun-drying. The zinc and iron levels were not significantly reduced on processing. However, calcium content was ignificantly reduced on drying the samples. The levels of phytates, tannins and oxalates in the fresh edible insects ranged between 0.41±0.01 mg/100g and 15.45±0.89 mg/100g. These levels were however lowered significantly on processing by 2% - 74% with oxalates and phytates having the highest decrease. The findings suggest that processing significantly decreased moisture content to levels that encourage long storage while it increased protein content significantly, thus improving the nutrition content of the edible insects. Processing significantly reduced antinutrients levels and retained zinc and iron indicating that these nutrients are more bioavailable. Oven-drying was found to be the most appropriate in reducing the anti-nutrient levels. Therefore, processed edible insects can be used as alternative source of food thus improving food security. | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | Kenyatta University | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/30333 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Kenyatta University | |
| dc.title | Effects of processing on nutritional and anti-nutritional content of selected edible insects | |
| dc.type | Thesis |