Edible orthopteran and lepidopteran as protein substitutes in the feeding of experimental albino rats

Abstract

Experiments was conducted on the use of Zonocerus variegatus (Orthopteran) and Cirina forda (Lepidopteran) as possible protein subtitutes in the feeding of experimental albino rats in the laboratory. The result of the proximate composition of C forda and Z variegatus showed a high crude protein values of 49.70%, 48.6%; moisture content of 10.92% and 11.11% and Fat of 22.21% and 7.14% respectively. These compares favourably well with the result recorded for fish. The two insects have a considerably high amounts of potassium, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, magnessiun and Iron. There was an increase in the weights and lengths of rats fed with diets containing C forda and Z variaegatus. There were no significant differences in growth recorded for the experimental diets and the control at 5% level of probability using fishers' least significant difference (LSD).



AJAZEB Vol. 7 2005: pp. 48-51