The Potential of Entomophagy Against Malnutrition and Ensuring Food Sustainability

Ecological aspects, economical aspects, and biological aspects of insects are attractive to researchers for several reasons. The consumption of insects called entomophagy is a matter of discussion since the last few decades because the published literature views entomophagy as a potential measure in combating human malnutrition and in achieving food security sustainably. Some insects are potential source of nutrients with their contents of protein, fat, micronutrients. Some insects provide therapeutic benefit to human population. Insects as a protein source have many advantages namely nutritional value, less greenhouse gases and ammonia emission, less land area requirement, low feed conversion efficiency. In addition, insects being able to convert low-value organic side streams into high-value protein products. Thus, it is safe to recommend that emphasis will be given on collection of insect species (harvesting), preservation, preparation, and marketing. As a significant portion of human population suffers from malnutrition, the entomophagy, a traditional practice of insect consumption is now becoming more important to humanity. The present communication deals with the nutritional value of edible insects, economical aspects and ecological aspects of entomophagy to evaluate the benefits of this traditional food culture.