Progress in the study of nutrient composition and biological functions of locusts
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61173/590fz962Keywords:
locust, nutrients, content determination, bioactive substances, food source fofAbstract
In recent years, the expansion of the scope and intensity of insect nutrient source development has been consistent. Notably, locusts, recognized as a superior nutritional source, have garnered significant research attention and exploration. Gradually, their nutritional components and biological functions have been exploited and utilized. Primarily, the food value of locusts lies in the abundance of nutrients within their bodies. Nutritional composition studies on locusts date back to the 1970s, with numerous experiments validating their status as a novel food resource, rich in protein and low in fat and carbohydrates. Furthermore, they serve as an alternative resource for promoting health and wellness. Since the dawn of the 21st century, certain studies have revealed the presence of flavonoids, chitin, and other bioactive ingredients in locusts. This paper compiles and summarizes the primary nutrients and their respective concentrations in certain locust species, exploring the advancements and potential value of current research on their biological functions. The aim is to highlight the advantages of locusts as an innovative food resource.
References
ganisms and antiviral effects. and Grass Industry,2023,35(04):2. (6) Antioxidant and anti-aging effects. Flavonoids have [2] H.B. Z ,Y.J. C ,J.Y. Z , et al.Nutrient-rich locusts serve as an strong antioxidant effects, avoiding oxidative damage by ingredient for food production in China[J].Journal of Insects as
inhibiting and scavenging free radicals and reactive oxy- Food and Feed,2022,8(6):605-620. gen species. [3] Michael D. Atkins, Insects in Perspective [M]. New York: (7) Anti-radiation effects. Because of their anti-free radi- Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc, 1978. cal effects, flavonoids have the ability to resist radiation. [4] Wang M. Study on the efficacy of proteins and peptides of East Asian flying locust in reducing hyperlipidemia[D]. Jilin 3.2 Efficacy of superoxide dismutase Agricultural University,2020. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is widely distributed, it can [ 5 ] D u a n Yu f e n g . R e s e a r c h o n t h e n u t r i t i o n a l v a l u e scavenge the oxygen produced by cellular respiration and and biological function of locust [D]. Shaanxi Normal play the role of cell protection, so it has attracted great University,2005. attention from domestic and foreign biochemical and [6] GUO Cheng,WANG Zhigang. Determination of protein pharmaceutical communities. McCord[14] determined the content of eight locust species in Chifeng area[J]. Journal of
SOD content of a variety of microorganisms with different Chifeng College (Natural Science Edition),2010,26(10):22-24. oxygen demand, and found that the existence of SOD is Dean&Francis [7] XIONG Zheng-Ying, XI Bi-Man, ZHANG Kun-Ru et al. measure the nutritional value of insects[J]. Beverage
Analysis and evaluation of nutrient composition of four locust Industry,2022,25(01):80.
species[J]. Journal of Nutrition,1999,(04):474-477. [14] McCord J.M., Fridovich. Superoxide dismutase: an enzyme [8] LIU Xuemei,Lv Dongpo. Research on the development and function for erythrocuprein (hemocuprein) [J], J Bio Chem,
utilisation of locust protein and its functional components[J]. 1969, (244): 6049-6055.
China Fruit and Vegetable,2014,34(06):48-52. [15] Jazmín S G ,Ariel J C T ,Ludivina L B , et al.Potential Use [9] LIN Yuzhen, ZHANG Xinmei. Protein and fatty acid analyses of Central American Locust, Schistocerca piceifrons piceifrons1,
of East Asian flying locusts and Chinese grasshoppers[J]. as Food[J].Southwestern Entomologist,2023,48(2):353-366.
Resource Development and Market,2000,(03):145-146. [16] Aimin,Jinhua. Seven cases of fire-roasted locust [10] QIN Liping, LIU Zhiyun, SUN Tao. Nutritional value of poisoning[J]. Clinical meta-analysis,2010,25(11):973-974.
grassland locust[J]. Grassland Science,2013,30(01):141-147. [17] J.P. E ,S. S ,C.M. T , et al.Global overview of locusts as [11] ZHANG Shuai,QIU Kerui,TAN Zizheng et al. Research food, feed and other uses[J].Global Food Security,2021,31. progress of insect vitamins[J]. Central China Insect [18]Garofalo C ,Milanović V ,Cardinali F , et al.Current
Research,2020,16(00):126-131. knowledge on the microbiota of edible insects intended for [12] Liu A-Q. Extraction, isolation and bioactivity of flavonoids human consumption: a state-of-the- art review[J].Food Research
from Locusta migratoria [D]. Shaanxi Normal University,2007. International,2019,125108527. [13]From crickets and locusts to silkworm pupae, scientists
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 by the authors.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
