International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition

Authors
Mohd Yaqub Khan, Ping-Chun Hsu, Maryada Roy, Zainul Khan, Radheshyam Sharma, Harshit Srivastava

Abstract
According to the World Organization World Meter, the current world population is 7.8 billion by March 2020, and if this rate continues, it will reach 9 billion by 2050. Expansion of the human population leads to hunger and malnutrition and puts more pressure on the agro-ecosystem. We must find alternative ways sources of food to feed our growing population because our traditional resources are inefficient to feed the population with all nutritional values. New resources should eco-friendly and full of nutrition. Edible insects can be one choice for feeding the growing population, and insects have always been a part of human history. We can find symbols and insects in many books, events, and ceremonies throughout the world. Researchers now focus on insects as our “food of the future”, as our food resources become scarce and scarce in most parts of the world, especially in developing countries. Over 2 billion people worldwide have included over 1,900 species of insects in their diet plan because insects are good and cheap sources of proteins, vitamins, fats, minerals, all essential amino acids, antioxidants, and prebiotic fibers. But, though, there is the unpopularity of insects as food because of unawareness of its nutritional values and social and cultural fear. Report of the Department of Agriculture of the United States highlights one of the primary reasons for the non-acceptance of insects as our food and report say insects need to free from pathogens, poisons, hints of pesticides, allergens, microbes. Now researchers all over the world are looking up for a safe way to farm insects and use as novel food sources for the growing population and finding alternative ways to use insects’ products in many other industries.