{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,30]],"date-time":"2026-09-30T05:01:37Z","timestamp":1790744497209,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":82,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,30]],"date-time":"2026-09-30T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1790726400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100004961","name":"Instituto Tecnol\u00f3gico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100004961","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Nutr."],"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Introduction<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      Mexican leaf-cutter ants (\n                      <jats:italic>Atta mexicana<\/jats:italic>\n                      ), also known as chicatana ants, have been consumed in Mexico since pre-Columbian times as a seasonal food commodity and delicacy. Most studies on this edible insect have focused on its nutritional value as a protein source. Because of its proximate composition, this insect can also be considered a source of other important macro- and micronutrients. However, due to its geographic location and collection practices, food safety risks may be present.\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>In this study, chicatana ants were collected in Huatusco, Veracruz, Mexico, and analyzed to determine their nutritional value, the presence of heavy metals and pathogens, and potential compositional bioactivity related to lipids and phenolic compounds.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results and Discussion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Proximate analysis showed the importance of chicatana ants not only as a protein source (38.16%) with an adequate protein digestibility (79.06%) but also as a source of fat (36.54%), mainly composed of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic (57.02%), palmitic (21.94%), stearic (14.05%), and linoleic acid (6.98%). Additionally, chicatana ants provide chitin (16.53%), fiber (12.85%), and minerals (1.91%), including microelements such as calcium (532.14 mg\/kg), iron (93.92 mg\/kg), and zinc (161.09 mg\/kg). Selected concentrations (500 and 750 \u03bcg\/ml) displayed cytoprotective effects under pro-oxidant conditions in Caco-2 cells and anti-inflammatory effects in polarized THP-1 macrophages, as indicated by significant nitrite reduction. Although freeze-drying did not reveal microbial contamination, lead levels exceeded the maximum permitted levels for some European Union-approved insect species (0.1 mg\/kg), reinforcing the need to explore additional food safety concerns for chicatana ants and other edible insects.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      The results highlight the nutritional and biological potential of\n                      <jats:italic>A<\/jats:italic>\n                      .\n                      <jats:italic>mexicana<\/jats:italic>\n                      lipids and phenolic compounds for manufacturing functional foods with these health benefits. However, the study also identified food safety concerns. Further research into specific biological mechanisms is necessary to confirm these effects and elucidate bioaccumulation mechanisms for contaminants and toxic compounds.\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fnut.2026.1868210","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,30]],"date-time":"2026-09-30T04:52:43Z","timestamp":1790743963000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Beyond the role of the reproductive caste of chicatana ants (Atta mexicana) as an alternative protein source: nutritional, food safety, and bioactivity analysis"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"13","author":[{"given":"Vicente A.","family":"Mir\u00f3n-M\u00e9rida","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences","place":["Monterrey, Mexico"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ivan","family":"Luzardo-Ocampo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences","place":["Monterrey, Mexico"]},{"name":"Tecnologico de Monterrey, Institute for Obesity Research","place":["Monterrey, Mexico"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Mariana","family":"Mart\u00ednez-Avila","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences","place":["Monterrey, Mexico"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"V\u00edctor H.","family":"Urrutia-Baca","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences","place":["Monterrey, Mexico"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Arlette","family":"Santacruz","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences","place":["Monterrey, Mexico"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Eduardo Enrique","family":"Gallareta-Flores","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences","place":["Monterrey, Mexico"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Marilena","family":"Antunes-Ricardo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences","place":["Monterrey, Mexico"]},{"name":"Tecnologico de Monterrey, Institute for Obesity Research","place":["Monterrey, Mexico"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Cristina","family":"Chuck-Hernandez","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences","place":["Monterrey, Mexico"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Esther","family":"P\u00e9rez-Carrillo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences","place":["Monterrey, Mexico"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,30]]},"reference":[{"key":"B1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"101299","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijgfs.2025.101299","article-title":"Insects in contemporary Mexican gastronomy","volume":"42","author":"Molina-Castillo","year":"2025","journal-title":"Int J Gastronomy Food Sci."},{"key":"B2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1108\/BFJ-09-2025-1195","article-title":"Harvesting wild edible insects: the case of chicatana ant (Atta mexicana) in Mexico","volume":"2026","author":"Andrade-Velasquez","year":"2026","journal-title":"British Food J."},{"key":"B3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"261","DOI":"10.3958\/059.042.0123","article-title":"Alternativa agroecol\u00f3gica para el manejo de Atta mexicana en Puebla, M\u00e9xico","volume":"42","author":"Tejeda","year":"2017","journal-title":"Southwestern Entomol."},{"key":"B4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"689","DOI":"10.1163\/23524588-20230171","article-title":"Bioactivity of the edible part of Chicatana ant (Atta mexicana, Smith 1858) and its protein concentrate","volume":"10","author":"Pi\u00f1a-Dominguez","year":"2023","journal-title":"J Insects Food Feed."},{"key":"B5","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"142","DOI":"10.1006\/jfca.1997.0530","article-title":"Nutritional value of edible insects from the State of Oaxaca, Mexico","volume":"10","author":"Ramos-Elorduy","year":"1997","journal-title":"J Food Comp Analy."},{"key":"B6","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"437","DOI":"10.15406\/jnhfe.2018.08.00306","article-title":"Macronutrient composition of the Chicatana ant (Atta mexicana), edible insect during the rainy season in Mexico","volume":"8","author":"Melo-Ruiz","year":"2018","journal-title":"J Nutr Health Food Eng."},{"key":"B7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"106559","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jfca.2024.106559","article-title":"Chicatana ant (Atta mexicana) as a potential source of biologically active substances","volume":"134","author":"Pi\u00f1a-Dominguez","year":"2024","journal-title":"J Food Comp Analy."},{"key":"B8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"197","DOI":"10.3920\/JIFF2020.0030","article-title":"Proximal chemical evaluation and fatty acid in the chicatana ant and jumile","volume":"7","author":"Lopez-Morales","year":"2021","journal-title":"JIFF."},{"key":"B9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"65","DOI":"10.3920\/JIFF2020.0168","article-title":"Acceptance and physicochemical properties of raw and roasted ants (Atta mexicana)","volume":"8","author":"Paniagua-Mart\u00ednez","year":"2022","journal-title":"JIFF."},{"key":"B10","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"525","DOI":"10.3920\/JIFF2022.0054","article-title":"Consumption of Atta mexicana (chicatanas) in two regions of Veracruz, Mexico \u2013 a multifactorial study of the consumption of chicatanas","volume":"9","author":"Gallardo-L\u00f3pez","year":"2023","journal-title":"JIFF."},{"key":"B11","unstructured":"Estudio etnogr\u00e1fico sobre el consumo de \u201cchicatanas\u201d (Hymenoptera: formicidae) en Huatusco, Veracruz, M\u00e9xico\n          \n          109\n          13\n          \n            \n              Landero-Torres\n              I\n            \n            \n              Murgu\u00eda-Gonz\u00e1lez\n              J\n            \n            \n              Ramos-Elorduy\n              J\n            \n          \n          Folia Entomologica Mexicana\n          44\n          2005"},{"key":"B12","first-page":"136","volume-title":"AOAC Official Methods of Analysis","year":"2002"},{"key":"B13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"29","DOI":"10.1007\/978-1-4419-1463-7_4","article-title":"Determination of fat content","author":"Carpenter","year":"2010","journal-title":"Food Analysis Laboratory Manual. Food Science Texts Series."},{"key":"B14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"S2950","DOI":"10.1111\/1750-3841.13126","article-title":"Yield and textural characteristics of panela cheeses produced with dairy-vegetable protein (soybean or peanut) blends supplemented with transglutaminase","volume":"80","author":"Salinas-Vald\u00e9s","year":"2015","journal-title":"J Food Sci."},{"key":"B15","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"147817","DOI":"10.1016\/j.foodchem.2025.147817","article-title":"Physical, nutritional, and sensory characterization of tortillas formulated with nixtamalized milpa ingredients (Zea mays var","volume":"503","author":"Cardona-Herrera","year":"2026","journal-title":"Elotes occidentales, Phaseolus vulgarisFood Chemistry."},{"key":"B16","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"257","DOI":"10.1080\/19476337.2020.1746833","article-title":"Nutritional content of edible grasshopper (Sphenarium purpurascens) fed on alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and maize (Zea mays)","volume":"18","author":"Ibarra-Herrera","year":"2020","journal-title":"CyTA-J Food."},{"key":"B17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"105730","DOI":"10.1016\/j.supflu.2022.105730","article-title":"Guajardo-Flores D. Selective supercritical fluid extraction of non-polar phytochemicals from black beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L) by-products","volume":"189","author":"Mart\u00ednez-\u00c1vila","year":"2022","journal-title":"J Supercritical Fluids"},{"key":"B18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1183935","DOI":"10.3389\/fnut.2023.1183935","article-title":"Nutritional assessment of nixtamalized maize tortillas produced from dry masa flour, landraces, and high yield hybrids and varieties","volume":"10","author":"Acosta-Estrada","year":"2023","journal-title":"Front Nutr."},{"key":"B19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"137836","DOI":"10.1016\/j.foodchem.2023.137836","article-title":"Determination of the geographical origin of chicken (breast and drumstick) using ICP-OES and ICP-MS: chemometric analysis","volume":"437","author":"An","year":"2024","journal-title":"Food Chem."},{"key":"B20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"350","DOI":"10.1094\/CCHEM.1999.76.3.350","article-title":"A rapid method for quantifying total anthocyanins in blue aleurone and purple pericarp wheats","volume":"76","author":"Abdel-Aal","year":"1999","journal-title":"Cereal Chem."},{"key":"B21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"609","DOI":"10.1093\/procel\/pwae068","article-title":"Preparation of fatty acid solutions for investigating lipid signaling, metabolism, and lipid droplets","volume":"16","author":"Zhang","year":"2025","journal-title":"Protein Cell."},{"key":"B22","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"152","DOI":"10.1016\/S0076-6879(99)99017-1","article-title":"Analysis of total phenols and other oxidation substrates and antioxidants by means of folin-ciocalteu reagent","author":"Singleton","year":"1999","journal-title":"Methods in Enzymology"},{"key":"B23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"25","DOI":"10.1016\/S0023-6438(95)80008-5","article-title":"Use of a free radical method to evaluate antioxidant activity","volume":"28","author":"Brand-Williams","year":"1995","journal-title":"LWT-Food Sci Technol."},{"key":"B24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"4669","DOI":"10.1021\/jf0400056","article-title":"Estimation of scavenging activity of phenolic compounds using the ABTS \u2022 + assay","volume":"52","author":"Nenadis","year":"2004","journal-title":"J Agric Food Chem."},{"key":"B25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"873","DOI":"10.3390\/insects12100873","volume":"12","author":"Kim","year":"2021","journal-title":"Gryllus bimaculatusInsects."},{"key":"B26","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"115802","DOI":"10.1016\/j.foodres.2025.115802","article-title":"Bioactive compounds in edible insects: aspects of cultivation, processing and nutrition","volume":"203","author":"Psarianos","year":"2025","journal-title":"Food Res Int."},{"key":"B27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"24","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ejsobi.2013.05.006","article-title":"Ants as bioaccumulators of metals from soils: body content and tissue-specific distribution of metals in the ant Crematogaster scutellaris","volume":"58","author":"Gramigni","year":"2013","journal-title":"Eur J Soil Biol."},{"key":"B28","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"102877","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jafr.2026.102877","article-title":"Bioactive properties and GABA production of whey-, rice-, and oat-based fermented formulations under simulated gastrointestinal digesti\u00f3n","volume":"27","author":"Uribe-Vel\u00e1zquez","year":"2026","journal-title":"J Agricul Food Res."},{"key":"B29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"111835","DOI":"10.1016\/j.fct.2020.111835","article-title":"Mejia E. Gallic and butyric acids modulated NLRP3 inflammasome markers in a co-culture model of intestinal inflammation","volume":"146","author":"Luzardo-Ocampo","year":"2020","journal-title":"Food Chem Toxicol"},{"key":"B30","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"7","DOI":"10.1016\/j.foodchem.2018.03.096","article-title":"Loarca-Pi\u00f1a G. Fermented non-digestible fraction from combined nixtamalized corn (Zea mays L)\/cooked common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L) chips modulate anti-inflammatory markers on RAW 2647 macrophages","volume":"259","author":"Luzardo-Ocampo","year":"2018","journal-title":"Food Chemistry."},{"key":"B31","unstructured":"The many flavors of edible ants.\n          \n          2024"},{"key":"B32","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"89","DOI":"10.3389\/fnut.2020.00089","article-title":"Nitrogen-to-protein conversion factors for edible insects on the Swiss market: T. molitor, A domesticus, and L migratoria","volume":"7","author":"Boulos","year":"2020","journal-title":"Front Nutr"},{"key":"B33","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"139781","DOI":"10.1016\/j.foodchem.2024.139781","article-title":"Low protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score and net nitrogen-to-protein conversion factor value of edible insects","volume":"454","author":"Ochiai","year":"2024","journal-title":"Food Chem."},{"key":"B34","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"26","DOI":"10.29057\/icap.v11i22.14503","article-title":"Nutritional potential of edible insects endemic to the Sierra de Huehuetla, Hidalgo","volume":"11","author":"V\u00e1zquez-P\u00e9rez","year":"2025","journal-title":"Bolet"},{"key":"B35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"37","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jfda.2016.09.006","article-title":"Classification and regulatory perspectives of dietary fiber","volume":"25","author":"Dai","year":"2017","journal-title":"J Food Drug Analy."},{"key":"B36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3233","DOI":"10.2527\/2003.81123233x","article-title":"Challenges in measuring insoluble dietary fiber","volume":"81","author":"Mertens","year":"2003","journal-title":"J Anim Sci."},{"key":"B37","unstructured":"Determinaci\u00f3n del valor nutritivo de las hormigas \u201cChicatanas\u201d Atta mexicana S\n          \n          770\n          4\n          \n            \n              Reyes-Prado\n              H\n            \n            \n              Pino-Moreno\n              JM\n            \n            \n              Garc\u00eda-P\u00e9rez\n              \u00c1\n            \n            \n              \u00c1ngeles-Campos\n              SC\n            \n            \n              Varela\n              F\n            \n          \n          Entomolog\n          3\n          2016"},{"key":"B38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"124496","DOI":"10.1016\/j.carbpol.2025.124496","article-title":"A comparative review of chitin occurrence and quantification methodologies with applications to insect sourced materials","volume":"371","author":"Shinnerl","year":"2026","journal-title":"Carbohydr Polym."},{"key":"B39","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e0292072","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0292072","article-title":"Potential present and future distributions of the genus Atta of Mexico","volume":"18","author":"G\u00f3mez-D\u00edaz","year":"2023","journal-title":"PLoS ONE."},{"key":"B40","first-page":"13","article-title":"La hormiga cortadora de hojas Atta mexicana (F. Smith, 1858) y su estrecha relaci\u00f3n con su simbionte f\u00fangico","volume":"11","author":"Ju\u00e1rez-Rivera","year":"2024","journal-title":"Naturaleza y Tecnolog"},{"key":"B41","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"11485","DOI":"10.3390\/app142411485","article-title":"Effect of alkaline extraction\u2013isoelectric precipitation and salt-assisted extraction on physicochemical and techno-functional properties of Black Soldier fly larvae proteins","volume":"14","author":"Zozo","year":"2024","journal-title":"Appl Sci."},{"key":"B42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"106379","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ultsonch.2023.106379","article-title":"Ultrasound-assisted alkaline extraction of protein from Tenebrio molitor larvae: extraction kinetics, physiochemical, and functional traits","volume":"95","author":"Zhang","year":"2023","journal-title":"Ultrason Sonochem."},{"key":"B43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"102499","DOI":"10.1016\/j.aspen.2025.102499","article-title":"Leaf-cutting ant queens (Atta laevigata): nutritional characterization, fatty acid composition, inorganic elements, and antioxidant activity","volume":"28","author":"Abreu","year":"2025","journal-title":"J Asia Pac Entomol."},{"key":"B44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"150279","DOI":"10.1016\/j.foodchem.2026.150279","article-title":"Comparative analysis of appearance, digestive behaviour, and nutritional quality of grilled alternative meat analogues and beef patty","volume":"524","author":"Han","year":"2026","journal-title":"Food Chem."},{"key":"B45","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1771","DOI":"10.3390\/foods13111771","article-title":"Protein nutrition: understanding structure, digestibility, and bioavailability for optimal health","volume":"13","author":"Ajomiwe","year":"2024","journal-title":"Foods."},{"key":"B46","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"495","DOI":"10.3856\/vol46-issue3-fulltext-1","article-title":"In vitro protein digestibility of animal, vegetal and microbial feed ingredients for Macrobrachium tenellum","volume":"46","author":"Martinez-Montoya","year":"2018","journal-title":"LAJAR"},{"key":"B47","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"124009","DOI":"10.1016\/j.carbpol.2025.124009","article-title":"Methods for estimating the chitin content of edible insects: advantages and challenges","volume":"367","author":"Psarianos","year":"2025","journal-title":"Carbohydr Polym."},{"key":"B48","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"283","DOI":"10.1038\/s43016-023-00728-7","article-title":"Chitin and omega-3 fatty acids in edible insects have underexplored benefits for the gut microbiome and human health","volume":"4","author":"Stull","year":"2023","journal-title":"Nat Food."},{"key":"B49","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"232","DOI":"10.1007\/s13668-021-00363-3","article-title":"Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs): uses and potential health benefits","volume":"10","author":"Kapoor","year":"2021","journal-title":"Curr Nutr Rep."},{"key":"B50","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"17339","DOI":"10.3390\/molecules200917339","article-title":"Biological and nutritional properties of palm oil and palmitic acid: effects on health","volume":"20","author":"Mancini","year":"2015","journal-title":"Molecules."},{"key":"B51","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1248","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ajcnut.2023.03.024","article-title":"Replacement of dietary saturated with unsaturated fatty acids is associated with beneficial effects on lipidome metabolites: a secondary analysis of a randomized trial","volume":"117","author":"Sellem","year":"2023","journal-title":"Am J Clin Nutr."},{"key":"B52","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2568196","DOI":"10.1080\/23311932.2025.2568196","article-title":"Edible ants (Hymenoptera: formicidae) as human foods: a comprehensive review","volume":"11","author":"Fernando","year":"2025","journal-title":"Cogent Food Agricul."},{"key":"B53","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"224","DOI":"10.3390\/nu15010224","article-title":"Update on anti-inflammatory molecular mechanisms induced by oleic acid","volume":"15","author":"Santa-Mar\u00eda","year":"2023","journal-title":"Nutrients."},{"key":"B54","unstructured":"Letter updating the qualifying level of oleic acid for the oleic acid from edible oils and coronary heart disease (Corbion Biotech Petition) qualified health claim\n          \n          2020"},{"key":"B55","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"22","DOI":"10.1016\/j.nfs.2016.07.001","article-title":"Nutritional and sensory quality of edible insects","volume":"4","author":"Kourimsk\u00e1","year":"2016","journal-title":"NFS J."},{"key":"B56","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"711","DOI":"10.1016\/j.aspen.2016.07.001","article-title":"Nutritional and anti-nutritional composition of Oecophylla smaragdina (Hymenoptera: formicidae) and Odontotermes sp","volume":"19","author":"Chakravorty","year":"2016","journal-title":"J Asia-Pacific Entomol."},{"key":"B57","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"233","DOI":"10.5219\/366","article-title":"Calcium in edible insects and its use in human nutrition","volume":"8","author":"Ad\u00e1mkov\u00e1","year":"2014","journal-title":"Potr S J F Sci."},{"key":"B58","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"100918","DOI":"10.1016\/j.afres.2025.100918","article-title":"Bioaccessibility of iron, zinc, and copper from edible insects available on the European market","volume":"5","author":"Da Costa","year":"2025","journal-title":"Appl Food Res."},{"key":"B59","unstructured":"Nutrient content of five species of edible insects consumed in south-west Nigeria\n          \n          1285\n          97\n          \n            \n              Adeyeye\n              EI\n            \n            \n              Olayeye\n              AA\n            \n          \n          EC Nutrition\n          5\n          2016"},{"key":"B60","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"100886","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cois.2022.100886","article-title":"Molecular physiology of manganese in insects","volume":"51","author":"Pankau","year":"2022","journal-title":"Curr Opinion Insect Sci."},{"key":"B61","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"234","DOI":"10.1016\/j.envpol.2016.09.052","article-title":"Arthropod communities in a selenium-contaminated habitat with a focus on ant species","volume":"220","author":"De La Riva","year":"2017","journal-title":"Environ Pollution."},{"key":"B62","unstructured":"Interactive Nutrition Facts Label: Vitamins and minerals chart\n          \n          2021"},{"key":"B63","unstructured":"European\n              Union\n            \n          \n          Regulation - 2023\/915 - EN - EUR-Lex.\n          \n          2023"},{"key":"B64","unstructured":"European\n              Union\n            \n          \n          Implementing regulation - 2023\/58 - EN - EUR-Lex.\n          \n          2023"},{"key":"B65","unstructured":"European\n              Union\n            \n          \n          Implementing regulation - 2021\/1975 - EN - EUR-Lex.\n          \n          2021"},{"key":"B66","unstructured":"European\n              Union\n            \n          \n          Implementing regulation - EU - 2025\/89 - EN - EUR-Lex\n          \n          2025"},{"key":"B67","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"350","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ejsobi.2010.09.004","article-title":"Ants and heavy metal pollution\u2013A review","volume":"46","author":"Grze\u015b","year":"2010","journal-title":"Eur J Soil Biol."},{"key":"B68","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"574","DOI":"10.1016\/j.envpol.2018.04.134","article-title":"Ants and their nests as indicators for industrial heavy metal contamination","volume":"240","author":"Skaldina","year":"2018","journal-title":"Environ Pollution."},{"key":"B69","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"296","DOI":"10.1111\/1541-4337.12014","article-title":"Edible insects in a food safety and nutritional perspective: a critical review","volume":"12","author":"Belluco","year":"2013","journal-title":"Comp Rev Food Sci Food Safe."},{"key":"B70","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3931","DOI":"10.3390\/su18083931","article-title":"Dietary lead exposure in mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor) and its implications for the safety of edible insects","volume":"18","author":"Matyja","year":"2026","journal-title":"Sustainability."},{"key":"B71","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"683","DOI":"10.1007\/s10646-023-02676-1","article-title":"Bio-transfer and bioaccumulation patterns of heavy metals in mine site-inhabiting ants and grasshoppers, across mine site restoration chronosequence","volume":"32","author":"Khan","year":"2023","journal-title":"Ecotoxicology."},{"key":"B72","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1133342","DOI":"10.3389\/fnut.2023.1133342","article-title":"Insects as source of phenolic and antioxidant entomochemicals in the food industry","volume":"10","author":"Torres-Castillo","year":"2023","journal-title":"Front Nutr."},{"key":"B73","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"255","DOI":"10.32854\/1fsky755","article-title":"Evaluation of the antioxidant activity of aqueous and organic extracts of edible insects to different cooking temperatures and pH conditions","author":"Cuaxospa-Xolalpa","year":"2025","journal-title":"Agroproductividad."},{"key":"B74","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e12684","DOI":"10.55251\/jmbfs.12684","article-title":"Antoxidant activity and total polyphenol content of insects used as feed and food","volume":"15","author":"D\u017dima","year":"2025","journal-title":"J"},{"key":"B75","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"860174","DOI":"10.3389\/fnut.2022.860174","article-title":"Characterization, antioxidant activities, and pancreatic lipase inhibitory effect of extract from the edible insect Polyrhachis vicina","volume":"9","author":"Zhang","year":"2022","journal-title":"Front Nutr"},{"key":"B76","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"125742","DOI":"10.1016\/j.foodchem.2019.125742","article-title":"Characterization, antioxidant activity, and inhibitory effect on pancreatic lipase of extracts from the edible insects Acheta domesticus and Tenebrio molitor","volume":"309","author":"Navarro Del Hierro","year":"2020","journal-title":"Food Chem"},{"key":"B77","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"e13778","DOI":"10.1111\/jfbc.13778","article-title":"Antiproliferative effects of mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor) aqueous extract on human colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cancer cell lines","volume":"45","author":"Ding","year":"2021","journal-title":"J Food Biochem"},{"key":"B78","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"112438","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jep.2019.112438","article-title":"Caspase 3-mediated cytotoxicity of mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor) oil extract against human hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal adenocarcinoma","volume":"250","author":"Wu","year":"2020","journal-title":"J Ethnopharmacol."},{"key":"B79","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"173","DOI":"10.1007\/s10753-009-9171-x","article-title":"Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of ulomoides dermestoides on induced pleurisy in rats and lymphoproliferation in vitro","volume":"33","author":"Santos","year":"2010","journal-title":"Inflammation."},{"key":"B80","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3303","DOI":"10.3390\/molecules26113303","article-title":"Oriental hornet (Vespa orientalis) larval extracts induce antiproliferative, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-migratory effects on MCF7 Cells","volume":"26","author":"Zedan","year":"2021","journal-title":"Molecules."},{"key":"B81","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"163","DOI":"10.1016\/j.foodres.2014.11.022","article-title":"Constituents from the edible Chinese black ants (Polyrhachis dives) showing protective effect on rat mesangial cells and anti-inflammatory activity","volume":"67","author":"Tang","year":"2015","journal-title":"Food Res Int."},{"key":"B82","unstructured":"Quality proteins from edible indigenous insect food of Latin America and Asia\n          \n          283\n          9\n          \n            \n              Melo\n              V\n            \n            \n              Garcia\n              M\n            \n            \n              Sandoval\n              H\n            \n            \n              Jim\u00e9nez\n              HD\n            \n            \n              Calvo\n              C\n            \n          \n          Emirates J Food Agricul.\n          23\n          2011"}],"container-title":["Frontiers in Nutrition"],"original-title":[],"link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fnut.2026.1868210\/full","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,30]],"date-time":"2026-09-30T04:52:56Z","timestamp":1790743976000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/articles\/10.3389\/fnut.2026.1868210\/full"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,30]]},"references-count":82,"alternative-id":["10.3389\/fnut.2026.1868210"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fnut.2026.1868210","relation":{},"ISSN":["2296-861X"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2296-861X","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,30]]},"article-number":"1868210"}}