Insect consumption is gaining interest in the developed world due to its sustainability, requiring fewer resources and emitting lower greenhouse gases. Insects are highly nutritious, rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals, and their rapid growth makes them ideal for industrial production. Several species have been approved for commercialization by the European Commission, with others under evaluation.
Despite regulation, food safety concerns persist, particularly the bioaccumulation of contaminants from feeding substrates. Some metallic elements can be beneficial or harmful depending on their bioaccessibility. Studies also indicate the presence of natural metallic nanoparticles in insects, requiring further assessment.
This research analyzes the bioaccessibility of elements in three farmed insect species—Tenebrio molitor, Locusta migratoria, and Acheta domesticus—using ICP-MS. Results show high bioaccessibility of iron (>90%), an essential element, while aluminum, a potentially harmful element, exhibited low accessibility (<10%). Single-particle ICP-MS confirmed that both were in nanoparticulate form. Additional techniques, including HPLC and HR-TEM-EDX, validated these findings, highlighting the role of particulate forms in element bioaccessibility.