Browsing by Author "Cunha, Nair"
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- Effects of insect consumption on human health: a systematic review of human studiesPublication . Cunha, Nair; Andrade, Vanda; Ruivo, Paula; Pinto, PaulaInsects have been consumed as food in diverse cultures worldwide, gaining recognition as a sustainable and nutritious food source. This systematic review aims to update information on the impact of insect consumption on human health based on human randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and allergenicity assessment studies. Following PRISMA guidelines, studies published in the last 10 years were analyzed. From one-thousand and sixty-three retrieved references, nine RCTs and five allergenicity studies were analyzed. Post-prandial amino acid levels increased after insect protein consumption. In comparison with other protein sources, insect protein showed no significant differences in the area under the curve (AUC) values for essential amino acids but tended to have lower peaks and peak later. In terms of muscle protein synthesis, there were no significant differences between insect protein and other protein sources. Glucose levels did not differ; however, insulin levels were lower after the consumption of insect-based products. The effects on inflammatory markers and microbiota composition were inconclusive and the studies did not show significant effects on appetite regulation. Allergenicity assessments revealed a sensitisation and cross-reactivity between insect allergens and known allergens. A partial reduction of cross-allergenicity was observed via thermal processing. Insect protein is an adequate protein source with promising health benefits; however, further research is needed to fully understand its potential and optimise its inclusion into the human diet.
- Methods of protein extraction from house crickets (Acheta domesticus) for food purposesPublication . Cunha, Nair; Falcão Espada Lopes de Andrade, Vanda Maria; Macedo, Antónia; Lúcia da Mata Silvério Ruivo, Paula; Basto de Lima, Maria GabrielaGlobal population is projected to reach 9.1 billion by 2050, emphasizing the need for increased food production. Edible insects, such as house crickets (Acheta domesticus), emerged as promising due to higher nutritional value and efficient feed conversion rates compared to conventional protein sources. Incorporating insect powders into new food products can improve consumer acceptance but often leads to poor technological food processing functionality and/or undesirable organoleptic characteristics. Protein isolates have proven to be effective in enhancing this functionality and consumer acceptance, but existent protein extraction methods still lack improvements concerning the optimization of protein extraction rates. This study aimed to address this gap by developing and comparing the yield of three different protein extraction methods using sodium hydroxide, ascorbic acid or alcalase from house crickets (Acheta domesticus) for food applications. Protein extraction was performed on cricket powder with a mean protein content of 46.35 g/100 g, and the results were evaluated. The enzymatic method shows the highest protein extraction rate at 69.91% with a mean protein content of 60.19 g/100 g, while extraction with NaOH or ascorbic acid resulted in rates of 60.44 and 46.34%, respectively. Further studies on technological food processing functionality and sensorial evaluation of products developed with this protein extract are recommended.
- Pegada de carbono e pegada hídrica na produção de grilos da espécie Acheta domesticusPublication . Cunha, Nair; Sobreiro, Mónica; Ribeiro, Daniela; Saraiva, Artur; Oliveira, MargaridaSegundo a Organização das Nações Unidas a população mundial irá atingir os 9,1 mil milhões de pessoas, até 2050, intensificando a procura por fontes de proteína animal. A grande pressão que se exerce já sobre os limites naturais dos ecossistemas terrestres e marinhos requer uma mudança profunda de paradigma. A utilização de insetos na alimentação humana, não só pelo seu elevado conteúdo nutricional, como também pela sua eficácia na conversão de alimento, água e espaço, constitui uma alternativa promissora às fontes proteicas tradicionais. O presente estudo visa calcular a pegada hídrica, seguindo a metodologia do Water Footprint Network, e a pegada de carbono, através do software SimaPro 9.0, de uma unidade de produção de grilos da espécie Acheta domesticus, à escala semi-industrial. A monitorização do processo de produção foi efetuada ao longo de 5 ciclos de produção e a unidade funcional (UF) definida foi 100g de farinha. A energia foi a variável mais relevante no cálculo da pegada de carbono (1,44 kg CO2eq/UF), sendo as fases de engorda e de recria aquelas que mais impactaram o processo. No que respeita à pegada hídrica (130 L/UF) verificou-se que a pegada cinzenta representava 99% da pegada hídrica total. Este estudo permitiu compreender as etapas do processo de produção de grilos identificando as etapas com maior impacte ambiental bem como as medidas de mitigação necessárias à sustentabilidade deste sector.