Browsing by Author "Fernando, Ito"
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- Bioconversion of organic waste by insects: a comprehensive reviewPublication . Shahida Anusha Siddiqui; Harahap, Iskandar Azmy; Osei-Owusu, Jonathan; Saikia, Trideep; Wu, Yuan Seng; Fernando, Ito; Perestrelo, Rosa; Câmara, José S.; Perestrelo, Rosa; Câmara, Joséfeed. However, the increase in global agricultural production also means an increase in waste generation, which is mostly improperly managed, especially in low- and middle-income countries where adequate waste man agement infrastructure is limited and inefficient. Consequently, organic waste has become a global burden due to its negative impact on the environment and human health. In this sense, insect-based bioconversion could be an economically viable, environmentally friendly, and technically feasible approach to organic waste management. Based on this review, organic wastes from agriculture, food industry, household, municipalities, and starch in dustry are considered as suitable substrates for bioconverter insects. Commonly used insects for bioconversion include the cricket, yellow mealworm, superworm, black soldier fly, house fly, flesh fly and blow fly. Rearing facilities must be adapted to provide the optimal environmental conditions for the growth and development of the reared insect to maximize the bioconversion rate and efficiency. Bioconverter insects and their by-products can be industrially processed into animal feed, fertilizer and biodiesel or extracted to isolate bioactive com pounds. The challenges associated with insect-based bioconversion include human and social acceptance, method-, infrastructure- and technology-related problems, the availability of substrates, and political and legal regulations. In summary, insect-based bioconversion of organic waste has the potential to reduce waste, create jobs, provide novel products, and offer a sustainable source of protein to feed the world’s growing population.
- Unravelling the potential of insects for medicinal purposes: a comprehensive reviewPublication . Siddiqui, Shahida Anusha; Li, Chujun; Aidoo, Owusu Fordjour; Fernando, Ito; Haddad, Moawiya A.; Pereira, Jorge A.M.; Blinov, Andrey; Golik, Andrey; Câmara, José S.; Augusto Machado Pereira, Jorge; Câmara, JoséEntomotherapy, the use of insects for medicinal purposes, has been practised for centuries in many countries around the world. More than 2100 edible insect species are eaten by humans, but little is known about the possibility of using these insects as a promising alternative to traditional pharmaceuticals for treating diseases. This review offers a fundamental understanding of the therapeutic applications of insects and how they might be used in medicine. In this review, 235 insect species from 15 orders are reported to be used as medicine. Hymenoptera contains the largest medicinal insect species, followed by Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Lepidoptera, and Blattodea. Scientists have examined and validated the potential uses of insects along with their products and by-products in treating various diseases, and records show that they are primarily used to treat digestive and skin disorders. Insects are known to be rich sources of bioactive compounds, explaining their therapeutic features such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, and so on. Challenges associated with the consumption of insects (entomophagy) and their therapeutic uses include regulation barriers and consumer acceptance. Moreover, the overexploitation of medicinal insects in their natural habitat has led to a population crisis, thus necessitating the investigation and development of their mass-rearing procedure. Lastly, this review suggests po tential directions for developing insects used in medicine and offers advice for scientists inter ested in entomotherapy. In future, entomotherapy may become a sustainable and cost-effective solution for treating various ailments and has the potential to revolutionize modern medicine.