Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

Nutritional Composition of Four Edible Grasshopper Species Frequently Consumed in Madagascar: Insights for Nutritional Contribution and Alternative Insect Farming

Henlay J. O. Magara; Sylvain Hugel; Brian L. Fisher

Foods · 2025

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Summary

This study characterises the nutritional composition of four edible grasshopper species frequently consumed in Madagascar, providing quantitative data on protein, fat, fibre, mineral, amino acid, and fatty acid content. The findings offer evidence-based insights into the dietary value these species contribute to local food security. The paper also considers implications for developing alternative insect farming systems as a sustainable protein source.

UK applicability

The specific grasshopper species studied are not native to the UK and are not part of mainstream UK diets; however, the findings are broadly relevant to the growing UK and European interest in edible insects as sustainable alternative protein sources, informing regulatory and nutritional benchmarking discussions.

Key measures

Crude protein (% DM); crude fat (% DM); crude fibre (% DM); ash content (% DM); moisture content (%); amino acid profile (g/100g protein); fatty acid profile (% total fatty acids); mineral content (mg/kg or mg/100g)

Outcomes reported

The study analysed the proximate composition, amino acid profiles, fatty acid profiles, mineral content, and potentially anti-nutritional factors of four grasshopper species commonly consumed in Madagascar. Findings likely inform the nutritional contribution of these insects to local diets and assess their suitability for alternative insect farming systems.

Theme
Nutrition & health
Subject
Edible insects & alternative proteins
Study type
Research
Study design
Laboratory compositional analysis
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
Madagascar
System type
Insect farming / edible insects
DOI
10.3390/foods14111848
Catalogue ID
NRmo3f02hq-049

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