Nutritional Potentials of the Larva of Rhynchophorus phoenicis (F)

Abstract

Proximate and chemical analyses was carried out on the larva of Rhynchophorus phoenicis (F) and the observed results used to assess it nutritionally. A high fat content ( 25.30±0.20% wet weight ) rich in the essential fatty acids was observed, while all the essential amino acids were detected in varying amounts in the protein component. Macro-elements like sodium (773.49±1.02 mg/100g), calcium (60.81±0.32 mg/100g) and potassium (26.65±0.24 mg/100g) as well as micro-elements like copper (1.26±0.04 mg/100g), cadmium (0.039±0.022 mg/100g) and zinc (10.57±0.89 mg/100g) were present in significant amounts in the insect larva. The insect larva could form a base for new food /feed products of considerable nutritive value, especially if some level of defatting is done to further increase the relative proportion of the protein component.