Agroindustrial prototype of the Acheta domesticus flour (Orthopteptera: Gryllidae) for human consumption

Abstract

The research contains experiences in the implementation and maintenance of a cricket rearing for the production of flour of the Acheta domesticus species. For the statistical analysis, protein values were obtained by means of different diets supplied to the crickets (D1: lettuce and tilapia concentrate, D2: carrot and tilapia concentrate, D3: zucchini and tilapia concentrate). Where a unifactorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to determine significant differences between the different food treatments (α=0.05) according to the variation factors studied in each case. It can be considered as a fortified flour, because it has 36.93% protein. For the economic methodology, the costs were calculated at a production of 1,800 crickets for each food diet, where the diet of D1 reflected the lowest cost of production with a value of USD $ 47.26 per kg produced; The reference prices in the international market for the commercialization of one kilogram (kg) of cricket-based flour are USD $ 193.00, so the profitability and nutritional benefits of this product are high. The shelf life of cricket flour (Acheta domesticus) is greater than three months, during which time it does not generate fungi or yeasts.