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31 December 2018 | Story Igno van Niekerk | Photo Igno van Niekerk
Insects on the menu
Beetle juice and bug flour; Drs Ismari van der Merwe and Cariena Bothma are researching the possibility of a high-protein diet consisting of insect ingredients.

You’ve just had a tasty milkshake made from grasshopper juice, now for a light snack. Your choice: Salty cricket cookies or a deep-fried ant delight?

One of these days the above delicatessen may just find its way to your local restaurant menu if Drs Ismari van der Merwe, Cariena Bothma, both lecturers in the Department of Consumer Science, and their enthusiastic team of students have their way. Insects as food are rich in protein, often tasty, and having them on a menu is not as far-fetched as you may think. After all, we know what culinary delights mopani worms – and yes – cooked land snails (enjoyed as escargots) have become over the years.

 

Cricket smackerals

 

When Dr Van der Mewe explains the benefits of her team’s vision for a high-protein diet consisting of insect ingredients (cricket flour as an example), one becomes aware that this could be the solution to a myriad of problems. Insects eat much less than our regular menu items such as cows (beef), sheep (lamb chops) or pigs (pork). Insects as an alternative diet will reduce the negative impact that larger animals have on the environment and greenhouse gases. Insects have faster life cycles and it takes less effort and space to breed and feed them.

“Ugh! Ick! Disgusting,” you might think. But picture the taste lab where volunteers are given regular chocolate cookies made with regular flour, and then asked to compare it with cookies made from cricket flour. Dr van der Merwe assures me that most people will be unable to distinguish between them, often even preferring the cricket smackerals.

 

Heathy alternative

 

Insect breakfast cereals, granola, and snack food is a real and viable solution for the developing world where food is scarce, and hunger is a real issue. But is it healthy? Dr Van der Merwe assures me that during the process of ‘bug to flour’, they are addressing the main concern: micro-organisms that might be detrimental to health. Once the insects or processed insect by-products arrive on your plate, it’s a healthy high-protein alternative that might become the next revolutionary diet.

So, stand aside Atkins, beware Banting, and be gone Gluten-free – there is a new diet on its way to the menu. Brace yourself for beetle juice and bug flour: a diet full of proteins, fat, energy, and essential amino acids. 

 

News Archive

UFS Council unanimously reappoints Dr Khotso Mokhele as Chancellor
2015-04-02

 

Dr Khotso Mokhele, Chancellor of the University of the Free State

The Council of the University of the Free State (UFS) unanimously reappointed Dr Khotso Mokhele as Chancellor during its quarterly meeting held on 13 March 2015. He was first appointed in this portfolio by the Council on 4 June 2010.

“It is an honour for the Council to reappoint someone of this stature as Chancellor of the UFS. With his solid academic background and high profile in the business world, Dr Mokhele has been a great asset to the UFS. On behalf of the Council and the university community, I extend a word of appreciation for the work he has done during his first term as Chancellor of the UFS. He is an exceptional leader, and the university community is looking forward to have him as Chancellor for a second term,” said Judge Ian van der Merwe, Chairperson of the UFS Council.

Dr Mokhele was awarded a BSc Agriculture from Fort Hare University, and continued his studies at the University of California Davis (USA) on the Fulbright-Hays Scholarship Programme, completing his MSc (Food Science) and PhD (Microbiology). He was subsequently a postdoctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (USA) and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine (USA). Dr Mokhele is the recipient of honorary doctorates from nine South African universities including the UFS, and from Rutgers University in the USA.

He was Chairman of the Rhodes Scholarship Selection Committee for Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland (2007-2011), and served on the South Africa at Large Rhodes Scholarship Selection Committee for more than 10 years. As President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Foundation for Research Development (1996-1999) and the NRF from 1999 to 2006, Dr Mokhele played a central role in providing visionary and strategic direction to the South African science system. He was the Founder President of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), Founder President and CEO of the National Research Foundation (NRF), Chairperson of the Economic Advisory Council to the Premier of the Free State (2001-2004), and a member of the Advisory Council on Innovation to the Minister of Science and Technology (2003-2007). His role in securing government and international support for the Southern African Large Telescope Project (SALT) is evidence of his dedication to science in South Africa. The success of this project laid the basis for South Africa being selected to host more than 70% of the Square Kilometre Array, an international mega telescope for radio astronomy.

In recognition of his contribution to the development of science, he was the recipient of the Technology Top 100 Lifetime Achievers Award in 2009 and the National Science and Technology Forum Award in 2005. His role in science is recognised internationally. He was an elected Vice-President: Scientific Planning and Review of the International Council for Science and Chairperson of its Committee for Scientific Planning and Review (2005-2008) as well as a member of the Committee on Developing and Transition Economy Countries of the International Social Science Council (2008-2010). He also represented South Africa on the executive board of UNESCO, and was awarded the Member Legion of Honour of the Republic of France for his work in strengthening scientific ties between South Africa and France.

Dr Mokhele currently serves as Special Advisor to the Minister of Science and Technology, the Honourable Naledi Pandor. His current corporate positions include: Non-Executive Chairman: Board of Directors, Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd (Implats); Lead Independent Non-Executive Director: African Oxygen Ltd (Afrox); Non-Executive Director of Zimbabwe Platinum Holdings Ltd (Zimplats); Hans Merensky Holdings Ltd; and Tiger Brands Ltd. He is the President of the Hans Merensky Foundation (South Africa) and a Trustee of SciDev.Net (a web-based scientific magazine based in London, UK) and Start International Inc (USA).

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