Nanna Roos

University of Copenhagen · Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports

Edible insects are a compelling alternative source of animal protein that holds potential for diversifying and enriching complementary foods with minerals and proteins. This study aimed at formulating, developing and characterizing nutrient- dense complementary flour (CF) containing edible cricket containing maize and roasted finger millet flours (...

The Insects for the Green Economy conference (IGEC) was held on 28–29 February 2024 at the African Institute for Capacity Development (AICAD) at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Nairobi, Kenya. The theme of the conference was sustainable food systems and livelihoods in Africa, aiming to explore into the multifaceted r...

Gryllus bimaculatus (field cricket) powder is a prospect in enriching gluten‐free food products' protein and mineral contents. However, the technological impacts of replacing common gluten‐free cereal flours with G. bimaculatus powder are still incipient. This study aimed to characterise nutritional composition, particle morphology, and particle si...

Purpose of review Diets low in animal-source foods or solely consisting of plant-based foods, hardly meet nutrition needs of children, exposing them to inadequate intake of essential nutrients. Thus, including edible insects in children's diets is relevant for meeting nutritional requirements, other potential health benefits, and building more sust...

The African palm weevil Rhynchophorus phoenicis (Fabricius) is an alternative to conventional protein sources from livestock and poultry due to their rich nutritional content and ability to be reared on agricultural by-products. When establishing a production protocol for mass production of R. phoenicis larvae, it is imperative to understand the in...

Background & aims: Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is a global concern. Studies on the impact of ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTFs) on polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are almost non-existent. The aim was to investigate the change in whole-blood PUFA and nutrition and health markers among Cambodian children with SAM after treatment with RUTF...

Background Edible insects are a sustainable source of high-quality animal protein. Insect farming is gaining interest globally, particularly in low-income countries, where it may provide substantial nutritional and economic benefits. To enhance insect farming practices in Africa, new farming systems are being developed. However, knowledge on how to...

Inadequate intake of both macro and micronutrients is the major determinant of micronutrient deficiencies in adolescent girls. This study assessed multiple micronutrient status including vitamin D, iron, vitamin A, and urinary iodine concentration among adolescent girls through two seasonal cross-sectional surveys conducted during dry and wet seaso...

Situated in the heart of the Mekong River basin, the biodiversity of Cambodian freshwaters is high, with around 475 fish species. Fisheries have shaped Cambodian culture, including traditional diets. Fish and other aquatic animals are the main and culturally preferred animal-source foods in a population vulnerable to food insecurity and malnutritio...

Background This study developed and validated an integrated metric that enhances understanding of linkages between agro-ecological and socio-economic factors that are important for explaining nutritional wellbeing in relation to fish consumption; especially among adolescent girls who are at risk of nutritional deficiency in Bangladesh. Currently, t...

Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) remains a global health concern. Studies on the impact of ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTFs) on micronutrient status during SAM treatment are almost nonexistent. The objective was to investigate the impact of RUTFs on the iron and vitamin A status of 6–59-month-old children receiving SAM treatment. Biomarkers of...

Background: Early growth and body composition may influence risk of obesity and health in adulthood. Few studies have examined how undernutrition is associated with body composition in early life. Objective: We assessed stunting and wasting as correlates of body composition in young Kenyan children. Methods: Nested in a randomized controlled n...

Here, we review the advances in research on management of key oil palm insect pests globally, including defoliators, leaf/fruit scrapers, borers and sap feeders. The common oil palm pest management methods include synthetic insecticides, biopesticides, semiochemical lures, cultural practices, and integrated approaches. However, effectiveness, affor...

Insect breeding or farming for food and feed is an emerging enterprise that can address the ever-growing demand for protein and curb high unemployment rates in Africa and beyond. However, for the sector to prosper, its value chain needs to be regulated to ensure sustainability and safety for consumers and the environment. Although a few African cou...

Situated in the heart of the Mekong River basin, the biodiversity of Cambodian freshwaters is high, with around 475 fish species. Fisheries have shaped Cambodian culture, including traditional diets. Fish and other aquatic animals are the main and culturally preferred animal-source foods in a population vulnerable to food insecurity and malnutritio...

Ruspolia differens (Serville) (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae), also known as the ‘edible grasshopper’, ‘African edible bush-cricket’, and ‘nsenene’, is regarded as one of the most promising edible insect species that can be used for food, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, there is insufficient information on suitable diets and their effects...

Background: Insect species are suitable for farming as 'mini livestock' for human and animal consumption. It is important to assess the protein quality of relevant species to understand the potential of these novel protein sources in future sustainable food systems. Objectives: To determine the protein quality of five insect species: lesser meal...

The contribution of seafood to global food security is being increasingly highlighted in policy. However, the extent to which such claims are supported in the current food security literature is unclear. This review assesses the extent to which seafood is represented in the recent food security literature, both individually and from a food systems...

Export-orientated shrimp and prawn farming in coastal ghers has been associated with negative environmental, social, and nutritional impacts. This study challenges these perceptions based on field observations from four communities in South West Bangladesh. Most households observed (>60%) were either directly involved in seafood farming or engaged...

In this study, cricket chitosan was used as a prebiotic. Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium adolescentis were identified as probiotic bacteria. Cricket chitin was deacetylated to chitosan and added to either De Man Rogosa and Sharpe or Salmonella/Shigella bacterial growth media at the rates of 1%, 5%, 10%, or 20...

Edible crickets are among the praised insects that are gaining recognition as human food and livestock feed with a potential of contributing to food security and reduction of malnutrition. Globally, the sustainable use of crickets as food or feed is undermined by lack of information on the number of the edible crickets, the country where they are c...

This manual provides a clear and elaborate guide on how to rear three species of crickets; Acheta domesticus, Gryllus bimaculatus and Scapsipedus icipe. It focuses on modern rearing or domestication of crickets particularly for food and targets trainers, field workers and farmers. Further, it attempts to upgrade and refine the knowledge of trainers...

Edible crickets are among the praised insects that are gaining recognition as human food and livestock feed with a potential of contributing to food security and reduction of malnutrition. Globally, the sustainable use of crickets as food or feed is undermined by lack of information on the number of the edible crickets, the country where they are c...

Edible crickets are among the praised insects that are gaining recognition as human food and livestock feed with a potential of contributing to food security and reduction of malnutrition. Globally, the sustainable use of crickets as food or feed is undermined by lack of information on the number of the edible crickets, the country where they are c...

Edible crickets are among the praised insects that are gaining recognition as human food and livestock feed with a potential of contributing to food security and reduction of malnutrition. Globally, the sustainable use of crickets as food or feed is undermined by lack of information on the number of the edible crickets, the country where they are c...

Crickets have been promoted as a possible animal protein source in child feeding by enriching porridge with cricket powder due to its nutritional contribution and affordability. The aim of this study was to develop a nutrient-dense cereal- cricket porridge suitable for school feeding programmes in Kenya and determine its safety and acceptability in...

Inadequate child nutrition during the first ‘1000 days’ is widespread in Cambodia, resulting in a high prevalence of child malnutrition. Access to processed complementary food in packages (PCFP) may support caretakers in improving diet of young children. This study aimed to evaluate the caretakers' preferences and willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) for PCFP...

This narrative review aims to provide an interdisciplinary perspective on actors that link global aquatic food production systems with fish consumption and nutritional status, with a special focus on adolescent girls in Bangladesh. The writing of this narrative perspective was undertaken within the framework of the Aquatic Food for Health and Nutri...

Farming crickets for human consumption is emerging as a promising novel and sustainable animal-source food production system. Cricket farming in Kenya first began in 2013; however, adoption rates have been slower than expected. This paper presents a pilot study of farmers’ awareness of and interest in adopting cricket farming as a new agricultural...

Objective To measure fatty acid composition, particularly whole-blood PUFA content, in acutely malnourished children and identify associations with markers of nutritional and health status. Design PUFA were assessed in dried blood spots obtained from a cross-sectional study. Nutritional and health status were assessed by anthropometry, haemoglobin...

This cluster randomised controlled trial tested the effectiveness of a locally produced, fish‐based, ready‐to‐use supplementary food (RUSF) to prevent growth faltering (decline in z‐scores). Cambodian infants (n= 485), aged 6 to 11 months, were randomised by site to receive the RUSF, Corn‐Soy Blend++ (CSB++), micronutrient powders (MNP), or no supp...

Age-appropriate feeding practice (ADF) during early childhood are vital for optimal nutrition. This longitudinal study determined the effect of selected risk factors and ADF, as described by the National Nutritional Recommendations, on linear and ponderal growth of children below 24 months of age. Weight and length measures were used to calculate z...

Abstract Background Rates of childhood undernutrition are persistently high in Cambodia. Existing ready-to-use supplementary and therapeutic foods (RUSFs and RUTFs) have had limited acceptance and effectiveness. Therefore, our project developed and trialled a locally-produced, multiple micronutrient fortified lipid-based nutrient supplement (LNS) w...

Background: Within Cambodia, micronutrient deficiencies continue to be prevalent in vulnerable groups, such as women and children. Fortification of staple foods such as rice could be a promising strategy for Cambodia to improve micronutrient status. Objective: Our objective was to investigate the impact of multiple-micronutrient fortified rice (...

Recently, there has been multi-organization promotion of entomophagy as an environmentally friendly source of food, protein, energy and medicinal value for the ever increasing human population especially in the developing countries. However, food quality concerns must first be addressed in this context. We addressed these concerns in the present st...

Scapsipedus icipe Hugel and Tanga (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) is a newly described edible cricket species. Although, there is substantial interest in mass production of S. icipe for human food and animal feed, no information exists on the impact of temperature on their bionomics. Temperature-dependent development, survival, reproductive and life table...

Objective Aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing food production sectors in many low-income and food-deficit countries with aquatic ecozones. Yet its specific impact on nutrition and livelihood in local communities, where commercial and/or export-orientated aquaculture activities are developed, is largely unknown. Design The present narrative a...

A new native edible cricket species, Scapsipedus icipe Hugel and Tanga, has been described in Kenya for the first time. However, there is lack of information on suitable diets and their effects on the developmental time, survival, weight gain, body length, growth index, preoviposition, oviposition, postoviposition, fecundity, egg eclosion period, a...

Introduction Even though micronutrient deficiency is still a major public health problem, it is still unclear which interventions are most effective in improving micronutrient status. This review therefore aims to summarize the evidence published in systematic reviews on intervention strategies that aim at improving micronutrient status in children...

Objectives To provide an overview of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions that could improve micronutrient status of women of reproductive age. Methods This narrative review has a special focus on Southeast Asia, as the work was undertaken within the framework of the SMILING (Sustainable Micronutrient Interventions to controL de...

Objectives Since the 1990s, programs for the control of micronutrient deficiencies became a public health priority for many governments, including the countries partnering the project “Sustainable Micronutrient Interventions to Control Deficiencies and Improve Nutritional Status and General Health in Asia” (SMILING): Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos-PDR,...

Objective The SMILING (Sustainable Micronutrient Interventions to Control Deficiencies and Improve Nutritional Status and General Health in Asia) project aimed at creating awareness and improving policies around micronutrient deficiencies in five Southeast Asian countries (Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia). Results The project showed...

The study aimed at assessing stunting and wasting as correlates of body composition in Cambodian children. As part of a nutrition trial (ISRCTN19918531), fat (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) were measured using 2H dilution at 6 and 15 months of age. Linear mixed-effects models were used to assess associations of stunting, wasting, sex and breastfeeding...

This poster was printed as an A4 flyer distributed at the conference: Accelerating the End of Hunger and Malnutrition - A global event - in Bangkok, Thailand from the 28-30 November 2018. Organized by IFPRI and FAO.

A new cricket of the genus Scapsipedus is described from Kenya. The distribution, acoustic behavior, including call and courtship song, mitochondrial sequences, and data on the biology of that new species are given. This edible cricket is a very promising species for mass production for food and feed.

Background: Cambodia has a high prevalence of moderate acute malnutrition and severe acute malnutrition (SAM). The SAM treatment requires ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTFs), whereas ready-to-use supplementary foods (RUSFs) are used for prevention of acute malnutrition. Three locally produced fish-based products were developed: an RUTF paste (N...

Technical Report #6 about the legislative environment for insects as food and feed in Kenya and East Africa as part of the GREEiNSECT project

Cambodia continues to have a high prevalence of acute malnutrition. Low acceptability has been found for standard ready-to-use-therapeutic-food (RUTF) products. Therefore, NumTrey, a locally-produced fish-based RUTF, was developed. The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of NumTrey compared to an imported milk-based RUTF for weight gain amo...

The impact of freshwater fish consumption on the status of long-chain n-3 fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA) in infants in landlocked, low-income populations is unknown. We used secondary data from a randomized, single-blinded, controlled trial to evaluate the impact of daily consumption of complementary food products with small amounts of freshwater fish on...

The vision of inVALUABLE is to create a sustainable resource-efficient industry for animal production based on insects. inVALUABLE has focus on the R & D demand for scaling up production of insects in Denmark and assessing the application potential of particularly mealworms. The inVALUABLE consortium partners span the entire value chain and include...

s of the 2nd International Conference ‘Insects to Feed the World’ (IFW 2018), 15-18 May 2018, Wuhan, China P.R.

Despite high diversity in species as well as metamorphological life-stages, edible insects are essentially an animal-source food contributing high quality protein and fat when viewed in the context of human nutrition. The nutritional contribution of insects to diets in populations where insects are consumed as a part of traditional diets is largely...

This text provides an important overview of the contributions of edible insects to ecological sustainability, livelihoods, nutrition and health, food culture and food systems around the world. While insect farming for both food and feed is rapidly increasing in popularity around the world, the role that wild insect species have played in the lives...

Edible insects are an integrated part of the food sector in many South-East Asian countries. While the majority of studies focus on Thailand and its cricket farming sector, neighbouring countries like Cambodia and Laos also form a regional market for edible insects. The aim of this research was to describe the informal food sector for wild caught c...

This chapter highlights a part of the work carried out within the framework of the DESIRABLE project ("DESIgning the Insect bioRefinery to contribute to a more sustainABLE agro-food industry"), funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR). Here, our aim is to present original research results to operators willing to implement insect-based va...

Edible insect gastronomy in Kenya

Nutritional properties of insects for food in Kenya

Insects have been part of indigenous food culture in different parts of Kenya. Newly revived interest in the utilization of insects has raised the question: how can insects be used as an ingredient in various products and gastronomy? For many, different insect species are ingredients for which their taste, aromatic, textural and visual characterist...

How healthy are insects? This is a highly relevant question in view of the global interest in the potential of insects as a sustainable food source in food systems and diets. Edible insects, like other foods, can provide nutrients and dietary energy to meet the requirements of the human body as a part of a varied diet. They also have the potential...