Insects are considered edible food resources with sufficient nutrients, but their nutrient composition and safety evaluation have not been fully investigated yet. In this study, we investigated the nutrient composition and the acute and sub-chronic toxicity of locust powder in male rats. In the acute oral toxicological experiment, rats were administered locust powder at a dose of 10 or 20 g/kg/dose, followed by monitoring general signs of toxicity for 14 days. In the sub-chronic toxicological experiments, rats were fed with a diet containing 1% and 3% locust powder for 28 and 90 days. General signs of toxicity, body weight, plasma and blood components, weight and fat accumulation in tissues, and fecal fat excretion were investigated. The locust powder was rich in proteins, essential amino acids, minerals, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. In the acute toxicological experiment, no general signs of acute toxicity were observed at a dose of 20 g/kg. In the sub-chronic toxicological experiments, parameters related to red blood cell were lowered by the 3% locust powder for 28 days, but not for 90 days. Liver lipid accumulation and fecal fat excretion were increased by the 3% locust powder for 90 days, but the liver lipids contents were considered to be within a nontoxic level. Cecum contents and cecum short-chain fatty acids were lowered by the locust powder, which can be caused by its fiber and fiber-like components. In conclusion, acute and sub-chronic intake of locust powder had little effect on general, biochemical, and hematological signs of toxicity in rats. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Edible insects are increasingly viewed as new sustainable protein sources for human foods and livestock feeds worldwide because of their high nutritional balance, high food conversion rate, and environmental merits. Here, we have clarified that a locust powder contains high levels of protein, polyunsaturated functional fatty acids, and minerals (iron, zinc, and magnesium), and intake of locust powder (3% in diet) had little effects on general, biochemical, and hematological signs of toxicity in male rats. Locust as an edible insect, in powder form, can contribute to human dietary needs.

中文翻译：

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刺槐粉作为新型食品原料的营养与安全评价

昆虫被认为是营养丰富的可食用食物资源，但其营养成分和安全性评价尚未得到充分研究。在这项研究中，我们调查了刺槐粉对雄性大鼠的营养成分和急性和亚慢性毒性。在急性口服毒理学实验中，大鼠以 10 或 20 克/公斤/剂的剂量服用刺槐粉，然后监测一般毒性迹象 14 天。在亚慢性毒理学实验中，大鼠分别喂食含有 1% 和 3% 刺槐粉的饮食，持续 28 天和 90 天。研究了毒性的一般体征、体重、血浆和血液成分、组织中的重量和脂肪积累以及粪便脂肪排泄。刺槐粉富含蛋白质、必需氨基酸、矿物质和多不饱和脂肪酸。在急性毒理学实验中，在 20 g/kg 的剂量下没有观察到一般的急性毒性迹象。在亚慢性毒理学实验中，3%刺槐粉使红细胞相关参数降低28天，但90天没有降低。3%刺槐粉90天后肝脏脂质积累和粪便脂肪排泄增加，但肝脏脂质含量被认为在无毒水平内。刺槐粉降低了盲肠含量和盲肠短链脂肪酸，这可能是由其纤维和纤维状成分引起的。总之，蝗虫粉的急性和亚慢性摄入对大鼠的一般、生化和血液学毒性迹象几乎没有影响。实际应用：由于其高营养平衡、高食物转化率和环境优势，食用昆虫越来越多地被视为世界范围内人类食物和牲畜饲料的新的可持续蛋白质来源。在这里，我们澄清了蝗虫粉含有高水平的蛋白质、多不饱和功能性脂肪酸和矿物质（铁、锌和镁），并且蝗虫粉的摄入量（饮食中的 3%）对一般、生化、和雄性大鼠毒性的血液学迹象。蝗虫作为一种可食用的昆虫，呈粉末状，可以满足人类的饮食需求。和镁），摄入刺槐粉（饮食中 3%）对雄性大鼠的一般、生化和血液学毒性迹象几乎没有影响。蝗虫作为一种可食用的昆虫，呈粉末状，可以满足人类的饮食需求。和镁），摄入刺槐粉（饮食中的 3%）对雄性大鼠的一般、生化和血液学毒性迹象几乎没有影响。蝗虫作为一种可食用的昆虫，呈粉末状，可以满足人类的饮食需求。