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ECOLOGICAL AND NUTRITIONAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SAXAUL HUMPBACK
GRASSHOPPER
Sadullae a Gulzoda Usmon qizi
[email p o ec ed]
Teache a he Tu kul Dis ic Poly echnic College
Komilo Jahongi Saidjon ugli
[email p o ec ed],
Teache , Depa men o Human and Animal Physiology
Na ional Uni e si y o Uzbekis an named a e Mi zo Ulugbek
Anno a ion
This a icle analyzes he ecological and nu i ional signi icance o he saxaul humpback g asshoppe
(Haloxylon buk i), including i s li e cycle, dis ibu ion, mo phological cha ac e is ics, and economic
po en ial. The Haloxylon buk i species is widesp ead ac oss he dese and semi-dese egions o
Uzbekis an and Cen al Asia, playing a i al ole in main aining ecological balance. Due o i s high
p o ein con en and heal hy a y acids, his g asshoppe se es as a aluable ood sou ce o bo h
humans and animals. The a icle discusses i s li e cycle, ep oduc i e ai s, ecological ole,
con ibu ion o ood secu i y, as well as i s global and egional economic impo ance. Addi ionally,
ecommenda ions a e p o ided o sus ainable ha es ing, ecological moni o ing, and popula ion
managemen . Resea ch indings demons a e ha he saxaul humpback g asshoppe ep esen s an
ecologically, nu i ionally, and economically impo an sou ce o sus ainable ood.
Keywo ds: saxaul humpback g asshoppe , Haloxylon buk i, ecological signi icance, nu i ional
alue, high p o ein, dese ecosys ems, li e cycle, dis ibu ion, economic po en ial, ood secu i y,
ecological moni o ing, sus ainable ood sou ce.
The saxaul humpback g asshoppe (Haloxylon) is an insec species commonly ound in he dese and
semi-dese egions o Uzbekis an, whe e i plays a c ucial ole in main aining ecological balance. I s
p ima y ood sou ce consis s o saxaul plan s, and unlike o he g asshoppe species, i does no cause
damage o ag icul u al c ops. The e o e, he saxaul humpback g asshoppe is o g ea impo ance no
only o local ecosys ems bu also o he b oade en i onmen al s abili y o he egion.
In ecen yea s, global esea ch on g asshoppe s has in ensi ied, ocusing on hei signi icance as a
sou ce o ood. Thei high p o ein le els and o he biological cha ac e is ics a e ecognized as
bene icial o bo h human and animal heal h. The saxaul humpback g asshoppe , in pa icula , is an
essen ial ood sou ce o animals inhabi ing a id a eas, as i equi es li le wa e and can ob ain
nu i ion om a wide ange o ege a ion.
S udies ha e shown ha g asshoppe s occupy an essen ial posi ion in he ecological ood chain. They
egula e he low o nu ien s be ween plan s and animals, con ibu ing o he main enance o
ecosys em s abili y. Fu he mo e, he biological esidues le by g asshoppe s enhance soil e ili y
and play a signi ican ole in he edis ibu ion o mic oelemen s.
The Haloxylon buk i belongs o he amily Ac ididae, whose membe s a e p edominan ly dis ibu ed
h oughou he dese s o Cen al Asia and he Nea Eas . Taxonomically, i s classi ica ion is as
ollows:
Scien i ic name
Haloxylon
Family
Ac ididae
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Species
Haloxylon buk i
Mo phologically, he saxaul-buk i g asshoppe has an a e age body leng h o 3–4 cm and a g een
colo a ion. I s body esembles saxaul lea es, which aids in concealmen . The an ennae and legs a e
well de eloped, enabling long-dis ance jumping and ligh . The body is ich in p o ein and o he
biologically ac i e subs ances, making i a highly aluable ood sou ce o o he animals.
Mo phological s udies indica e ha he species’ body s uc u e enhances i s ecological plas ici y,
allowing p olonged su i al in a id en i onmen s. Due o well-de eloped wings, he g asshoppe can
ly long dis ances o loca e ood o e ade h ea s. In addi ion, pigmen s in he body p o ide p o ec ion
agains p eda o s.
The saxaul-buk i g asshoppe is widely dis ibu ed ac oss he dese and semi-dese egions o
Uzbekis an, Tu kmenis an, Kazakhs an, and o he pa s o Cen al Asia. I p ima ily eeds on saxaul
plan s and he e o e does no damage ag icul u al c ops.
The ecological impo ance o his species is mani es ed in he ollowing ways:
1. I con ols plan popula ions — by p e en ing excessi e ege a ion g ow h, he saxaul
g asshoppe helps main ain ecosys em s abili y.
2. I s abilizes he ood web — g asshoppe s occupy a ole in he ophic exchange be ween
p eda o s and plan s.
3. I suppo s biodi e si y — se ing as a ood sou ce o o he animals, g asshoppe s con ibu e
o he main enance o biological di e si y.
Global s udies indica e ha g asshoppe s play a signi ican ole in he edis ibu ion o mine als and
nu ien s wi hin ecosys ems. Fo example, g asshoppe s inhabi ing A ican and Asian dese s ac i ely
pa icipa e in he ans e o p o eins and mic onu ien s be ween p eda o s and plan s. Addi ionally,
hei popula ion dynamics con ibu e o he heal hy unc ioning o ecosys ems.
The li e cycle o he saxaul-buk i g asshoppe includes he ollowing s ages:
1. Egg-laying s age: la e summe (July–Augus ). Eggs a e ypically deposi ed in he soil o nea
he oo s o saxaul plan s.
2. La al s age: la ae eme ging om he eggs eed on saxaul; his s age las s app oxima ely 3–
4 weeks.
3. Pupal s age: la ae en e a pupal pe iod du ing which ac i i y dec eases and s o ed nu ien s
a e consumed.
4. Imago (adul ) s age: ollowing he pupal pe iod, he g asshoppe ma u es and a ains
ep oduc i e capabili y.
These s ages a e impo an o ecological moni o ing, since each s age aids in assessing popula ion
size and dis ibu ion. The species’ ep oduc i e s a egy enables i o ep oduce e en unde a id
condi ions.
The saxaul-buk i g asshoppe (Haloxylon buk i) is nu i ionally ich and biologically aluable. The
species’ composi ion includes high le els o p o ein, a s, and mine als, making i an impo an ood
sou ce o bo h humans and animals. Gi en ha g asshoppe s a e alued globally as a ood esou ce,
p o iding de ailed in o ma ion on hei composi ion and nu i ional alue is impo an .
The body mass o he saxaul-buk i g asshoppe consis s o app oxima ely 60–70% p o ein. This le el
is highe han ha o mos adi ional p o ein sou ces. Fo example, 100 g o d ied g asshoppe
con ains abou 65 g o p o ein. The p o ein composi ion includes all essen ial amino acids such as
leucine, aline, h eonine, yp ophan, me hionine, and o he s. Mo eo e , his p o ein is o high
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biological alue o bo h animals and humans, con ibu ing o muscle de elopmen and immune
sys em enhancemen .
G asshoppe s a e compe i i e wi h adi ional p o ein sou ces such as mea , milk, and ish. Fo
ins ance, 100 g o bee p o ides on a e age 20–25 g o p o ein, meaning ha g asshoppe s con ain
2–3 imes mo e p o ein han bee . The e o e, o popula ions li ing in a id egions, g asshoppe s
ep esen an ecologically sus ainable and highly aluable sou ce o p o ein.
The a con en o he saxaul-buk i g asshoppe accoun s o 15–20% o i s body mass. Mos o hese
a s consis o heal hy unsa u a ed a y acids, including oleic acid, linolenic acid, and o he essen ial
a y acids. These a s a e bene icial o he ca dio ascula sys em and help main ain no mal
choles e ol le els.
The a s in g asshoppe s also se e as an impo an sou ce o ene gy. One g am o a p o ides
app oxima ely 9 kcal, so 100 g o d ied g asshoppe con aining 15–20 g o a p o ides abou 135–
180 kcal o ene gy. These alues a e pa icula ly ad an ageous o a hle es, a ele s, and animals
ha co e long dis ances.
Al hough he saxaul-buk i g asshoppe con ains ela i ely low le els o ca bohyd a es, i s ill
p o ides su icien amoun s necessa y o me abolism, as well as die a y ibe . One hund ed g ams o
d ied g asshoppe con ains app oxima ely 5–7 g o ca bohyd a es. Ca bohyd a es p o ide quick
ene gy o he body, while ibe s imp o e in es inal mic o lo a and no malize diges ion. In addi ion,
g asshoppe s con ain p ebio ic subs ances ha con ibu e o in es inal heal h.
The saxaul-buk i g asshoppe is ich in mine als, including:
• Calcium (Ca): Ensu es he s eng h o bones and ee h.
• I on (Fe): Plays a i al ole in he p oduc ion o ed blood cells.
• Magnesium (Mg): Suppo s muscle and ne ous sys em unc ions.
• Zinc (Zn): S eng hens he immune sys em and p omo es cell egene a ion.
Addi ionally, g asshoppe s con ain i amins o g oups A, B, and E, which suppo me abolic
p ocesses, ision, and skin heal h.
Global s udies show ha g asshoppe s a e highly impo an as ood o bo h humans and animals. Fo
example:
• In A ica, g asshoppe s a e collec ed annually as a p o ein sou ce amoun ing o 0.5–2 ons.
• In Asia, hey a e used as eed o bi ds and mammals.
• 100 g o d ied g asshoppe p o ides app oxima ely 60–70 g o p o ein, 15–20 g o a , 5–7
g o ca bohyd a es, and 3–5 g o mine als.
The p o eins and a s in g asshoppe s ha e high biological alue, making hem an essen ial
componen o a heal hy die and a key ac o in ensu ing ood secu i y in a id egions. Global
expe ience in using g asshoppe s as ood indica es ha hey a e an e icien and ecologically
sus ainable al e na i e o adi ional li es ock mea as an ene gy sou ce.
The saxaul-buk i g asshoppe (Haloxylon buk i) possesses no only local ecological impo ance bu
also global nu i ional and economic signi icance. The use o g asshoppe s as ood and animal eed
has de eloped o e cen u ies in a ious egions o he wo ld, pa icula ly in a id and semi-dese
a eas. Today, scien i ic esea ch and echnological ad ancemen con ibu e o expanding he e icien
u iliza ion o his adi ional biological esou ce.
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Composi ional Analysis and Scien i ic Re iew o he Saxaul Buk i G asshoppe (SBCH)
Sample by XRF Me hod
1
The esul s o he X-Ray Fluo escence (XRF) analysis indica e ha he Saxaul buk i g asshoppe
(SBCH) sample consis s o 23 de ec ed elemen s, among which he mos abundan a e as ollows:
• Po assium (K) – 31.8 mass%
• Calcium (Ca) – 23.2 mass%
• Chlo ine (Cl) – 13.0 mass%
• Phospho us (P) – 7.47 mass%
• Sul u (S) – 6.11 mass%
1
P epa ed by he au ho based on labo a o y da a
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These i e elemen s collec i ely cons i u e 81.58% o he o al mass o he sample. The dominance
o po assium, calcium, and phospho us s ongly indica es he o ganic o igin o he sample, as hese
elemen s a e ypically abundan in plan and animal issues.
In addi ion, he ollowing ace elemen s we e iden i ied in smalle quan i ies:
• Sodium (Na) – 5.41 mass%
• I on (Fe) – 4.10 mass%
• Silicon (Si) – 3.35 mass%
• Ti anium (Ti) – 0.355 mass%
• Coppe (Cu) – 0.232 mass%
• Zinc (Zn) – 0.323 mass%
A ema kable inding is he de ec ion o a e and adioac i e elemen s in he sample, including:
• U anium (U) – 0.235 mass%
• Gold (Au) – 0.179 mass%
• Bismu h (Bi) – 0.166 mass%
The ela i ely high concen a ion o u anium (0.235%) sugges s ha he sample may possess
adioac i e p ope ies.
Fo each de ec ed elemen , he de ec ion limi s we e signi ican ly lowe han he measu ed
concen a ions, con i ming he high eliabili y o he analy ical esul s. The “w/o no mal” column in
he da a ep esen s he unno malized aw esul s, while he inal no malized esul s we e adjus ed so
ha he o al composi ion app oaches 100%.
O e all, he XRF analysis o he Saxaul buk i g asshoppe (SBCH) sample e eals a complex
composi ional s uc u e, cha ac e ized by he simul aneous p esence o o ganic elemen s (K, Ca, P)
and ino ganic mine al elemen s (Fe, Si). The de ec ion o elemen s such as u anium, gold, and
bismu h sugges s ha he sample may ha e mine al deposi cha ac e is ics o possibly con ain
indus ial ace esidues.
Gi en he p esence o a adioac i e elemen (u anium), i is ecommended o apply app op ia e sa e y
measu es when handling his sample. Fu he geological and chemical in es iga ions a e equi ed o
de e mine he p ecise o igin o he sample and o explo e i s po en ial en i onmen al and biological
implica ions mo e comp ehensi ely.
The analysis esul s indica e ha he sample consis s o 23 elemen s, wi h he ollowing being he
mos abundan :
• Po assium (K) – 31.8 mass%
• Calcium (Ca) – 23.2 mass%
• Chlo ine (Cl) – 13.0 mass%
• Phospho us (P) – 7.47 mass%
• Sul u (S) – 6.11 mass%
These i e elemen s oge he accoun o 81.58% o he o al mass o he sample. The p esence o
such elemen s indica es he o ganic o igin o he sample, as po assium, calcium, and phospho us a e
commonly ound in plan and animal issues.
The ollowing ace elemen s we e also iden i ied:
• Sodium (Na) – 5.41 mass%
• I on (Fe) – 4.10 mass%
• Silicon (Si) – 3.35 mass%
• Ti anium (Ti) – 0.355 mass%
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• Coppe (Cu) – 0.232 mass%
• Zinc (Zn) – 0.323 mass%
A ema kable inding is he p esence o a e and adioac i e elemen s:
• U anium (U) – 0.235 mass%
• Gold (Au) – 0.179 mass%
• Bismu h (Bi) – 0.166 mass%
The ela i ely high con en o u anium (0.235%) sugges s ha he sample may exhibi adioac i e
p ope ies. The de ec ion limi s o each elemen we e signi ican ly lowe han hei measu ed
concen a ions, indica ing he high eliabili y o he esul s. The “w/o no mal” column e lec s
p elimina y da a be o e no maliza ion, while he inal no malized alues ensu e ha he o al sum o
all elemen s app oxima es 100%.
The XRF analysis o he Saxaul Locus (SBCh) sample e eals i s complex composi ional s uc u e,
cha ac e ized by a combina ion o o ganic elemen s (K, Ca, P) and mine al componen s (Fe, Si). The
p esence o u anium, gold, and bismu h sugges s ha he sample may ha e o igina ed om a mine al
deposi o could ep esen an indus ial byp oduc .
Due o he de ec ion o a adioac i e elemen (u anium), i is ecommended o ollow sa e y
p ecau ions when handling his sample. Fu he geological and chemical in es iga ions a e equi ed
o de e mine i s exac o igin and o s udy i s p ope ies in g ea e dep h.
This s udy highligh s he impo ance o a comp ehensi e composi ional analysis o samples and
demons a es he occu ence o unexpec ed chemical componen s in na u e.
Globally, locus species, including hose ela ed o he Saxaul Locus , a e widely u ilized as a ood
sou ce o bo h humans and animals. In A ican coun ies such as Nige ia, Malawi, and Tanzania,
locus s a e collec ed annually as a sou ce o 0.5–2 ons o p o ein. They a e commonly consumed
oas ed, d ied, o g ound in o powde , pa ially ul illing he local popula ion’s p o ein equi emen s.
In Asian egions, pa icula ly China, India, and Indonesia, locus s a e also alued as a nu i ional
esou ce. Fo example, in China, locus s a e p ocessed in o p o ein- ich p oduc s ha se e as
ing edien s o high-nu i ional- alue oods. Simila ly, in he Middle Eas and A ab coun ies, locus s
a e d ied, mixed wi h black and whi e sal , and s o ed as a long-las ing ood sou ce. In hese a id
egions, hey p o ide a s able sou ce o nu i ion unde d ough condi ions. Thus, locus s play a c ucial
ole no only in na ional bu also in egional ood secu i y. The Saxaul Locus , due o i s low wa e
demand and adap a ion o eeding on Haloxylon plan s, is conside ed a aluable esou ce, pa icula ly
in a id ecosys ems.
The economic signi icance o he Saxaul Locus mani es s in se e al aspec s.
Fi s , he collec ion and p ocessing o locus s gene a e new employmen oppo uni ies. In many
A ican egions, u al popula ions collec locus s seasonally, d y and oas hem, and sell hem in local
ma ke s, he eby inc easing household income.
Second, ans o ming locus s in o p o ein- ich p oduc s acili a es he p oduc ion o p o ein-en iched
ood addi i es and con ec ione y i ems in he ood indus y, c ea ing oppo uni ies o inno a i e
en e p ises and s a ups.
Thi d, locus s se e as a na u al ood sou ce o bi ds, ep iles, and small mammals. Thei high p o ein
and i amin con en suppo s he heal hy g ow h and ep oduc i e capaci y o animals. Fu he mo e,
he Saxaul Locus o e s economic ad an ages h ough i s ecological sus ainabili y — i equi es
minimal wa e , no syn he ic e ilize s, and ew ex e nal esou ces, making i s collec ion and
p oduc ion mo e e icien .
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In he global ood sys em, he Saxaul Locus ep esen s a sus ainable esou ce. Since p oducing
adi ional mea and dai y p oduc s in a id a eas is challenging, locus s se e as an essen ial al e na i e
sou ce o p o ein. La ge-scale ha es ing o locus s can be conduc ed wi hou causing signi ican
ha m o na u al ecosys ems, helping main ain ecological balance. Mo eo e , locus s h i e in a id and
semi-dese clima es, making hem less ulne able o clima e change and a s able sou ce o nu i ion.
Due o hei high p o ein and i amin con en , locus s con ibu e o human and animal heal h and
s eng hen ood secu i y.
Acco ding o global s a is ics, app oxima ely wo billion people wo ldwide consume locus s and o he
edible insec s as pa o hei die . The p o ein con en o locus s is highe han ha o con en ional
mea — 100 g ams o d ied locus s con ain abou 60–70 g ams o p o ein. The e o e, hey a e
conside ed an ene gy-e icien and nu i ionally dense ood sou ce. Economically, he locus indus y
is g owing each yea ; in Asia and A ica alone, i possesses a mul ibillion-dolla ma ke po en ial.
Consequen ly, he Saxaul Locus dese es a en ion as a sus ainable, high-nu i ional, and
economically bene icial esou ce wi hin he global ood sys em.
Some imes, he p oli e a ion o locus popula ions, alongside o he ha m ul species, may damage
ag icul u al c ops. The e o e, moni o ing and con ol measu es a e implemen ed, including:
1. Chemical ea men (only o ha m ul species).
2. Biological con ol (using na u al p eda o s and pa asi es).
3. Popula ion moni o ing (assessing li e s ages and dis ibu ion a eas).
These ac ions help main ain ecological balance and minimize human-induced damage o ecosys ems.
The Saxaul Locus (Haloxylon buk i) is an ecologically and nu i ionally signi ican species. I no
only a oids damaging ag icul u al c ops bu also se es as a aluable p o ein sou ce o bo h animals
and, in ce ain egions, humans. Resea ch demons a es ha his locus species, due o i s high p o ein
and a con en , can compe e wi h adi ional ood sou ces and play a i al ole in ensu ing ood
secu i y in a id egions. I s li e cycle, dis ibu ion, and ecological ole a e o g ea impo ance o
moni o ing and scien i ic s udy, enabling be e unde s anding o popula ion dynamics and habi a
dis ibu ion.
Fu he mo e, he managemen and con ol o locus popula ions a e c ucial o main aining ecological
s abili y and maximizing hei bene icial po en ial. In he global con ex , he Saxaul Locus ep esen s
a sus ainable ood esou ce. Because mea and dai y p oduc ion in a id zones is di icul , locus s
p o ide a eliable al e na i e ich in p o ein and i amins. La ge-scale ha es ing can be conduc ed
wi hou ecological damage, suppo ing en i onmen al balance. Thei esilience o clima e change and
low esou ce equi emen s make hem i al o s eng hening ood secu i y in dese and semi-dese
egions.
Nu i ionally, he Saxaul Locus is highly aluable: app oxima ely 60–70% o i s body mass consis s
o p o ein, 15–20% o heal hy a y acids, and 5–7% o ca bohyd a es, while i s mine al and i amin
con en con ibu es posi i ely o human and animal heal h.
Economically, he Saxaul Locus plays an essen ial ole in job c ea ion, ood indus y di e si ica ion,
and he de elopmen o inno a i e business oppo uni ies. By collec ing and p ocessing locus s, u al
popula ions can inc ease hei household income. Mo eo e , ans o ming locus s in o p o ein- ich
ood p oduc s p omo es economic g ow h while suppo ing sus ainable ood sys ems.
Recommenda ions
1. Enhance ecological moni o ing — con inuous obse a ion o popula ion size, dis ibu ion,
and li e s ages o he Saxaul Locus is necessa y.
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2. Expand scien i ic esea ch on he nu i ional composi ion and sa e y o locus s o de elop new
ood p oduc s.
3. De elop locus collec ion and p ocessing indus ies, he eby con ibu ing o local and egional
economies.
4. P omo e public awa eness abou he nu i ional and economic bene i s o locus s o inc ease
hei accep ance as ood and enhance ood secu i y.
Addi ionally, ensu ing ecologically sus ainable collec ion and popula ion managemen will help
p ese e egional en i onmen al balance. Conduc ing global and egional s udies, as well as c ea ing
a scien i ic da abase on he nu i ional, economic, and ecological signi icance o locus s, will bene i
bo h he scien i ic communi y and policymake s.
In summa y, he Saxaul Locus is ecognized as an ecologically, nu i ionally, and economically
aluable species. I does no ha m ag icul u e, se es as a sus ainable ood sou ce, and suppo s local
and global ood secu i y. Maximizing i s po en ial h ough e ec i e moni o ing, scien i ic esea ch,
indus ial de elopmen , and public educa ion will con ibu e o he c ea ion o a sus ainable ood
sys em and os e economic g ow h in a id egions.
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3. Reb ina, F. e al. “Vege a ion Heigh as he P ima y D i e o Func ional … (g asshoppe
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4. Kaspa i, M. e al. “How and why g asshoppe communi y ma u a ion a es a e …”, PMC, 2022.
5. O‘zbekis on O‘simlikla ni ka an ini a himoyasi agen ligi — sakso ul buk i (buku ) chigi kasi
bo‘yicha ma’lumo la a moni o ing/ku ash hisobo la i (mahalliy hisobo la , ogohlan i ishla ).
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