Acceptability of African palm weevil (<i>Rynchophorus phoenicis</i>) incorporated pie in a university in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The world is recently promoting the innovative inclusion of insects as ingredients in human diet, as part of tackling food insecurity and actualizing zero hunger. Edible insect species especially the African Palm Weevil, Rynchophorus phoenicis is available, affordable and forms the integral part of diets for several communities in Nigeria.

Objective: The acceptance of edible larvae incorporated pie was determined in a university in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

Methods: Edible larvae were sourced, processed and incorporated into pie. This was labelled A (unconventional pie) and served as treatment for the experiment. Conventional pie (meat) was labelled B (served as control). A semi-structured questionnaire with attributes that influenced 500 consumer's choice was used. Hedonic test was conducted and responses were obtained.

Results: Female respondents (77%) predominated the acceptance of edible worm pie (mean age of 23.73 years) and majority of which were single, undergraduate students and not financially stable. Over 50% of the respondents had knowledge of edible insects and had tasted them against 16% and 39% who lacked knowledge and have never tried edible insect respectively. Chi-square test show that age (p= 0.996 and 0.873), gender (p= 0.877 and 0.851), marital status (p= 0.828 and 0.672), economic status (p= 0.959 and 0.714), occupation (p= 0.833 and 0.542), and level of education (p= 0.999 and 0.815) attributes did not differ significantly (p>0.05) with willingness to eat and smell test samples. Most consumers were willing to continue eating the unconventional pie incorporated with the edible insect, undermining the taste and smell.

Conclusion: More hedonic studies are required to expand the focus of insect inclusion in familiar products and the choice of their acceptance.