(LB01-04-25) Phosphorus Bioaccessibility From Cricket Powder Using In Vitro Simulation of Human Digestion

Objectives: Demand for sustainable and nutritious protein alternatives has increased interest in insect protein, such as cricket powder. Mineral nutrition is an important consideration for these novel insect protein sources. Average dietary phosphorus (P) intake in the United States is typically high due to its widespread presence in the food supply, and this has been associated with adverse bone and cardiovascular outcomes and higher all-cause mortality in the general population and particularly in those with chronic kidney disease (CKD). P bioaccessibility from cricket powder is unknown, but its chitin/chitosan content may reduce P bioaccessibility. In this study, we aimed to determine P content and bioaccessibility of cricket powder compared with common animal and plant sources. We hypothesized that cricket powder would have lower P bioaccessibility compared with the animal protein comparator.

Methods: Cricket powder (n=5) and animal protein (ground beef) and plant protein (tofu) comparators were analyzed for total mineral content by microwave plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy. P bioaccessibility was determined using a static in vitro digestion method simulating human digestion based on the INFOGEST protocol. Protein content was obtained from the products’ nutrition facts information. Descriptive statistics and ANOVA were performed using ɑ=0.05 for statistical significance.

Results: Cricket powder P content (784 mg P/100 g dry weight) was similar to tofu (751 mg/100 g), and both were higher than beef (510 mg/100 g). Tofu had the lowest bioaccessible P (175 mg/100g food or 3.21 mg/g protein) and the lowest % bioaccessibility (30.0%). Contrary to our hypothesis, cricket powder had significantly higher bioaccessible P(378 mg/100 g or 6.68 mg/g protein) and % P bioaccessibility (62.3%) compared with both beef and tofu (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Cricket powder does not appear to offer a benefit of lower P bioaccessibility compared with the animal or plant sources in this study. Other possible nutritional benefits of cricket powder/other insect protein sources require further investigation.

Funding Sources: Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, and NIFA-USDA, and the University of Minnesota Office of Undergraduate Research.