Abstract As the demand for sustainable, cost-effective food production increases, edible insects are an important alternative to traditional livestock as a source of human food. Understanding the differences in the nutritional composition of edible insects is essential for the optimization of rearing process. This study investigated the effects of developmental stage on the quantity and quality of nutrients in “superworms” (Zophobas morio), and the death’s head cockroach (Blaberus craniifer). Superworms at 60, 90, and 120 days of age showed no significant variation in basic nutrient content, and no significant differences were found in protein quality (expressed as the essential amino acid index). In contrast, adult cockroaches contained significantly more digestible protein than either small or large nymphs, but of lower quality. Cockroach nymphs contained significantly higher amounts of fat than the adults, and the lipid quality (described by the atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indices) increased over time. Conversely, the lipid quality of superworm larvae decreased with age. The study provides a better understanding of the chemical composition of insects over their lifespan and may help to optimize rearing technology in order to harvest insects as high-quality nutritional biomass, facilitating their application as a potential food source for humans.

中文翻译：

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发育阶段对食用昆虫营养价值的影响. Blaberus craniifer 和 Zophobas morio 的案例研究

摘要 随着对可持续的、具有成本效益的粮食生产需求的增加，食用昆虫作为人类食物的来源，是传统牲畜的重要替代品。了解可食用昆虫营养成分的差异对于优化饲养过程至关重要。本研究调查了发育阶段对“超级蠕虫”（Zophobas morio）和死头蟑螂（Blaberus craniifer）营养物质数量和质量的影响。60、90和120日龄的超级蚯蚓在基本营养成分方面没有显着变化，蛋白质质量（以必需氨基酸指数表示）也没有发现显着差异。相比之下，成年蟑螂比小型或大型若虫含有明显更多的可消化蛋白质，但质量较低。蟑螂若虫的脂肪含量明显高于成虫，并且脂质质量（由致动脉粥样硬化和血栓形成指数描述）随着时间的推移而增加。相反，超级蠕虫幼虫的脂质质量随着年龄的增长而下降。该研究可以更好地了解昆虫在其整个生命周期中的化学成分，并可能有助于优化饲养技术，以便将昆虫作为高质量的营养生物质收获，促进它们作为人类潜在食物来源的应用。