Multi-Elemental Analysis of Edible Insects, Scorpions, and Tarantulas from French (Online) Market and Human Health Risk Assessment Due to Their Consumption: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Edible insects are becoming increasingly popular as protein alternatives to traditional animal-based products. As such, information on their elemental composition is important to ensure they are safe for human consumption. This article describes the development and validation of a rapid, reliable method for the simultaneous determination of 19 elements (Al, As, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Pb, Se, Sr, and Zn) in edible insects by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) following closed vessel microwave digestion. The method was validated using three insect certified reference materials, namely black soldier fly larvae meal (BFLY-1), cricket flour (KRIK-1), and mealworm powder (VORM-1). The method was applied to analyze twelve different (whole) insect species. The maximum amount of each sample was calculated for As, Cd, and Pb with respect to their provisional tolerable daily intake values established by the Food and Agricultural Organization/World Health Organization. Most of the samples, except for scorpions and tarantulas, were safe to consume at large doses (1000–10,000 insects per day). Furthermore, most of the samples contained high levels of Fe, K, Na, and Zn, providing a preliminary overview of the nutritional profile of these novel protein alternatives.