Edible Insects in Sustainable Food Systems [Hardcover]

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 and societies of millions of people worldwide cannot be ignored. In order to represent this diversity, this work draws upon research conducted in a wide range of geographical locations and features a variety of different insect species.

Edible insects in Sustainable Food Systems comprehensively covers the basic principles of entomology and population dynamics; edible insects and culture; nutrition and health; gastronomy; insects as animal feed; factors influencing preferences and acceptability of insects; environmental impacts and conservation; considerations for insect farming and policy and legislation.The book contains practical information for researchers, NGOs and international organizations, decision-makers, entrepreneurs and students.

Part I: Introduction to insects.- Insects: key biological features.- Part II: Culture.- Insect consumption in the Arctic.- An ethnographic account of the role of edible insects in the Adi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh, North-East India.- Edible Insects And Their Uses In North America; Past, Present and Future.- Part III: Nutrition and health.- Insects and human nutrition.- The role of edible insects in diets and nutrition in East Africa.- Edible insects in a food safety perspective.- Part IV: Gastronomy.- A new world of ingredients: aspiring chefs opinions on insects in gastronomy.- Su Casu Marzu: Per una Genealogia Gastronol³5