Cricket Power: Protein for the Future

Edible insects have recently received much attention in the food industry due to their high protein, mineral
and vitamin content. Edible insect proteins usually meet the WHO essential amino acid content requirements
and are, on average, more digestible than plant-based proteins. However, their inclusion in food products still
remains a challenge; insect proteins form complex systems and interact with other components within food
matrices. Moreover, consumer acceptance is one of the biggest challenges for insect-based foods, driven by
food neophobia and disgust.
We aim to tackle the challenge of insect-based
foods and bridge the knowledge gap between
insect protein functionality and consumer
acceptance, through an exciting CASE studentship,
in partnership with New Foods Ltd and the
University of Surrey. New Foods Ltd, trading as
HOP in the UK, is a science-based business,
retailing insect food products and places the longterm health, wellbeing and environmental
sustainability as the key-drivers for innovation and
business activity (Fig. 1). The project will investigate
key nutritional and functional properties of edible
insects (crickets), which will inform protein-rich
model food systems and products that will be
evaluated through sensory and consumer
acceptability studies.

Training opportunities:
You will receive world class training from the University of Reading, University of Surrey and HOP. At the
University of Reading, you will gain access to the Food Processing Centre, the Chemical Analysis Facility (CAF),
the Sensory Science Centre and the Flavour Centre, where you will be trained in protein chemistry and
structure, flavour chemistry, sensory and consumer methodologies. At the University of Surrey, you will be
trained in in vitro digestion analyses, mineral analysis and bioavailability using cell line models. Our unique
collaboration with HOP will allow you during your placement to gain valuable insights on short and long-term
real-world impacts of your research to the business, by fully experiencing and playing a strong part in the
journey of HOP, a start-up company.