Unlocking the potential of insects as sustainable protein sources

Unlocking the potential of insects as sustainable protein sources

Could insects be a useful alternative source of protein in our diet? Researchers at the University of Surrey need your help to get to the bottom of this much-debated question.

Participants must help determine whether insect-derived protein meets our dietary requirements for macronutrients and their digestibility.

Under the direction of Dr. Ralph Manders, the Surrey team is seeking 38 participants between the ages of 45 and 55 and over 65 to help identify sustainable dietary protein sources that are more environmentally friendly than traditional agricultural practices that can lead to deforestation due to the need for more pasture and the greenhouse gas emissions from their waste.

The majority of dietary protein comes from animal products such as meat and eggs, but such agricultural practices are simply not sustainable. We need to get our protein intake from somewhere else as the macronutrient is vital to our overall health and is crucial for muscle and bone repair, as well as being responsible for the production of hormones and enzymes.

Eating insects is nothing new in much of the world, but it is becoming increasingly popular in Western countries due to increased environmental and animal welfare awareness. We want to find out how much protein they contain and whether our bodies can digest it quickly, making it a viable alternative to animal products.”

Dr. Ralph Manders, Lecturer in Exercise Physiology, University of Surrey

Participants are invited to eat either a milk-based muffin or one made from cricket flour. Blood samples are taken before consumption and up to four hours afterwards, with the team examining hormone levels and lipid profiles in the sample. A stable carbon isotope tracer baked into the muffin helps researchers figure out how long it takes the body to digest the cricket flour muffin. This can be determined by the amount of carbon contained in the breath samples provided by participants.

Dr. Manders added:

"Many people imagine that they will be forced to eat insects straight from a Tupperware box. Incorporating them into foods like muffins makes eating them psychologically easier while still providing the protein needed for a healthy lifestyle."

If you would like to take part in this study, please contact Dr. Ralph Manders ([email protected]).

This research is part of the University of Surrey's contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These include: SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (No Hunger) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

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