Evaluating the potential for utilising migratory locust powder (Locusta migratoria) as an alternative protein source in peanut-based ready-to-use therapeutic foods.

This study aimed at exploring the possibility of substituting powdered milk (PM) with migratory locust powder (MLP) as a cheap and sustainable alternative protein source in peanut-based ready-to-use therapeutic foods used in treatment of malnutrition. The migratory locust is a wide spread and underutilised high protein edible insect. Peanut-based ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTFs) were formulated according to the MSF/UNICEF 2013 nutritional standards. Milk powder was substituted with MLP at 5-30% levels. RUTF containing 30% milk powder was used as the control. Nutritional, antioxidant and antinutrients composition of the insect-enriched RUTFs were compared with RUTF containing milk powder only and a standard. The protein content of the insect-enriched RUTFs ranged from 19.58-26.38% exceeding the MSF/UNICEF minimum standard for protein. RUTF with 10% PM and 20% MLP had the highest (p < 0.05) mineral contents. All formulations had more thiamine (vitamin B1) than the recommended level of 0.5 mg/100 g. Niacin (Vitamin B3) was the most abundant vitamin in the formulations with considerable amounts of vitamin D and E. All MLP-enriched RUTFs met the FAO 2011 standard requirements for amino acids for children aged six months to three years. Therapeutic food with 30% MLP had the highest radical scavenging ability against DPPH, and iron chelating activity. Levels of phytate and tannin were below the tolerable limits. Therefore, MLP can be used as a low-cost substitute for milk powder in producing ready-to-use therapeutic foods.