A percepção dos estudantes da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Campus Pontal, em relação à antropoentomofagia

Abstract

Anthropo-entomophagy is a term that relates to the consumption of insects by human, being a practice present since the beginning of humanity. More than 120 countries register this practice in their cultures. In Brazil, however, due to the eurocentric cultural imposition, the anthropo-entomophagy has been always associated to the indigenous people or to poverty. Therefore, aiming to share this food practice in the university, the present research was developed to evaluate whether Biological Sciences students are more likely to adhere the anthropo-entomophagy, in comparison with students from other graduations of the Campus Pontal, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais. Through an online form, it was possible to analyze the perception of five different groups regarding their adhesion to anthropo-entomophagy. For analysis of the data, a PCA (Principal Component Analysis) was carried out. Considering their previous experience, the group of Biological Sciences students presented a higher frequency in relation to the knowledge about the nutritional values as well as their previous experiences with consumption of insects. Among the previously consumed insects, the "tanajura" or "içá" (Atta spp.) appears with higher frequency. Regarding the adhesion, it was perceived that the anthropo-entomophagy is still faced as an unknown novelty by many; nonetheless more than half of the participants would be interested in having a first contact with edible insects. In relation to the non-acceptance in the diet, the main reason was repugnance. Hence, it was perceived a need to develop activities that relate the advantages and the importance of the anthropo-entomophagy, with an emphasis on the innovative and economic aspects related to this practice.