Nutrient-Rich Grubs: Evaluating the Food Value of Palm Weevil Larvae in Delta State | InformativeBD

Eyaguobor E. Elliot, Nmorsi OPG, and Ede E. Lemy,  from the different institute of  Nigeria. wrote a Research Article about, Nutrient-Rich Grubs: Evaluating the Food Value of Palm Weevil Larvae in Delta State. Entitled, Assessment of nutritional qualities of palm weevil larvae from Elaeis guineensis Jacq and Raphia ferinifera (Gaertn.) Hyl.) in Amukpe, Delta State, Nigeria. This research paper published by the Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences | JBES. an open access scholarly research journal on Biodiversity. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess the nutritional qualities of the larva of Rhynchophorus phoenicis collected from rot oil palm trees (Elaeis guineensis Jacq) and Raphia palm trees (Raphia farinifera (Gaertn.) Hyl.) at Amukpee, Delta State, Nigeria. Samples of fresh Rhynchophorus phoenicis larvae collected at different locations in the study area were subjected to analysis for their nutritional mineral qualities using standard laboratory methods. The results showed that variations occurred in composition of nutrient, proximate and mineral compositions of the different samples. R. Phoenicis obtained from raphia palm and oil palm trees recorded higher values of moisture contents in fresh samples with 52.21% and 50.10% respectively. Dry matter composition also recorded higher values in fresh samples of both palm species. From the results, no significant difference (P> 0.05) was spotted in vitamin A and C of R. Phoenicis across the different palm trees with higher values recorded in fresh samples accordingly. Vitamin C results obtained from raphia palm tree samples recorded statistically higher value of 3.23ppm for fresh compared to 2.4ppm recorded for oil palm tree species. The mineral composition varied in the different palm trees. The composition of copper showed that oil palm tree samples recorded higher value of 0.95ppm, 0.87ppm and 0.69ppm for roasted, dried and fresh samples. Also, phosphorus composition obtained from raphia palm tree samples recorded higher values of 5.66ppm, 4.84ppm and 4.34ppm of phosphorus for roasted, dried and fresh samples. Considering the nutritional values of these oil palm weevils, the consumption of these larvae should be incorporated into our daily meal as complementary cheap diet in our society.

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Introduction

Edible insects have played a nutritional role in the diet of people in many parts of the world and are currently being promoted as an inexpensive alternative source of protein in underdeveloped countries due to the rising cost of conventional animal protein and the foreseen future deficit in its supply. Nutrient and chemical analysis of these grubs revealed the presence of protein, carbohydrates, saturated and unsaturated oil and fatty acids at about 31- 61% wet weight (Ukoroije, 2019). Minerals found include sodium, zinc, iron, copper, manganese, potassium, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in low, moderate and high content levels (Okaraonye and Ikewuchi, 2008). The larvae are proven to contain the richest source of animal fat and high energy value of 234.9KJ/100g of larvae (Oliveria et al. (1976). Chaney (2006) reported the larvae of R. phoenicis has higher protein compared to termites, milk obtained from cattle, eggs and beef. Hence, larval meal can significantly improve protein requirements for human daily.

It is also rich in essential amino acids such as histidine, methionine and phenylalanine (FAO/WHO/UNU, 1991). Its high content of unsaturated fatty acids is an indicator that the oil is safe for consumption by individuals prone to dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases since its intake reduces the risk of these attacks (Martirosyan et al., 2007). Vitamins found in high amount include thiamine and riboflavin (Thomas and Briyai, 2019).

Factors such as climatic condition, geographical variations, meal preferences of these insect are mainly responsible for the variations usually recorded in their nutrient compositions. Also, variations to so extent has also been recorded in their trace metal composition, this is well obvious in species of same genus. R. phoenicis larvae usually feed on palm species by boring holes on the trunks while the adults feed on terminal buds. They are considered main pests infesting Arecaceae as well as plants such as pawpaw, sugarcane, banana and cacao (Rochat et al., 2017).

Several studies have been conducted on the nutritional status of larvae of the palm weevil, these studies has turned out positive in terms of their contributions to human health, with emphasis on their abundance in locally sourced and traditional diets (Alamu et al., 2013). In general, larvae of palm weevil have shown to harbor essential nutrients including iron, fat, zinc and amino acids (Chinweuba et al., 2013). Palm weevil larvae have shown significantly to offer macro and micronutrient compared to beef and chicken (Payne et al., 2016). Although these studies suggest their potential to combat under-nutrition, though their nutrient content is subject to significant variation caused by factors such as feed, lifecycle and geography (Laar et al., 2017).

Several research on nutrient and mineral contents of R. phoenicis larvae obtained from Raphia palm tree, have been documented by other authors, including Okoli et al. (2019), Agbemebia et al. (2020), Ojianwuna et al. (2021), Adobeze and Enemor (2022). However, these studies have not provided adequate nutrient compositions and proper comparison of nutritional contents of R. phoenicis larvae obtained from Raphia and oil palm. However, this study therefore gives a comparative assessment of the nutritional composition of Rhynchophorus phoenicis larva collected from rotted oil palm and Raphia palm trees within Amukpe community in Delta State, Nigeria.

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Article source : Assessment of nutritional qualities of palm weevil larvae from Elaeis guineensis Jacq and Raphia ferinifera (Gaertn.) Hyl.) in Amukpe, Delta State, Nigeria