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Italian consumers' attitudes towards entomophagy: Influence of human factors and properties of insects and insect-based food.
Tuccillo, Fabio; Marino, Mattia Gianfranco; Torri, Luisa.
Afiliação
  • Tuccillo F; Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Helsinki, Agnes Sjöbergin katu 2, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; University of Gastronomic Sciences, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, 9, 12042 Pollenzo, CN, Italy.
  • Marino MG; University of Gastronomic Sciences, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, 9, 12042 Pollenzo, CN, Italy.
  • Torri L; University of Gastronomic Sciences, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, 9, 12042 Pollenzo, CN, Italy. Electronic address: l.torri@unisg.it.
Food Res Int ; 137: 109619, 2020 11.
Article em En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33233207
ABSTRACT
Studies on consumers' perceptions towards entomophagy have recently gained popularity. However, the use of the general term "insect" represents a limitation of previous research, due to the need for more precise terminology. This study assessed attitudes towards specific insects, their gastronomic preparations, their relationships with human factors and the characteristics of insects as a food source. Using a survey, socio-demographics, personality traits, willingness to eat (WTE) six edible insects and their relative insect-based products or dishes (IBPD) and the emotions associated with entomophagy were collected from 400 Italians. Compared with females, males were found to be more positive towards insects, less influenced by the species and level of processing of insects and more willing to eat insects for reasons of taste. Eating insects evoked adventurous, daring and wild emotions, while disgust and food neophobia represented the main factors in refusal to eat insects. WTE was crickets > bee larvae and grasshoppers > mealworms and silkworms > giant water bugs. A similar result was obtained considering the respective IBPD. On average, adult insects were preferred over larvae. Three subject groups, namely "In favour of eating insects" (41%), "Picky towards eating insects" (32%) and "Against eating insects" (27%) were found. A sensory evaluation performed on three cricket-based samples with 52 Italians revealed that a low level of insect visibility was preferred. This study gives new insights into the variables related to the acceptance of entomophagy by determining the characteristics of a potential consumer and of a probable insect product for the market.
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Texto completo: 1 Coleções: 01-internacional Base de dados: MEDLINE Assunto principal: Comportamento do Consumidor / Insetos Comestíveis Limite: Adult / Animals / Female / Humans País/Região como assunto: Europa Idioma: En Revista: Food Res Int Ano de publicação: 2020 Tipo de documento: Article País de afiliação: Itália

Texto completo: 1 Coleções: 01-internacional Base de dados: MEDLINE Assunto principal: Comportamento do Consumidor / Insetos Comestíveis Limite: Adult / Animals / Female / Humans País/Região como assunto: Europa Idioma: En Revista: Food Res Int Ano de publicação: 2020 Tipo de documento: Article País de afiliação: Itália