Impact of starvation on fat content and microbial load in edible crickets (<i>Acheta domesticus</i>)

Interest in insects as food is increasing worldwide, particularly industrialised countries. Insect-based ingredients are considered novel foods Europe and there unresolved concerns regarding safety. Microbial counts can be high, posing potential health risks to consumers possibly causing rapid deterioration by spoilage microorganisms. Gut emptying starvation prior killing could reduce the microbial load insect gut but also lead fat loss lower energy content, reducing profitability of production. This study evaluated (total aerobic (TAC), Enterobacteriaceae) house crickets (Acheta domesticus) starved for 0 h (control), 24 h, 48 corresponding losses. The group showed significantly (P=0.004) Enterobacteriaceae one log cfu/g, not TAC, (compared control group). TAC was increased (P=0.002), almost cfu/g compared with control. Sex had no significant effect on numbers (P=0.72 P=0.46 Enterobacteriaceae, respectively). Starvation decreased content (P=0.02), indicating production shows that an effective method loads edible crickets.