Nutrient contributions of Rhynchophorus phoenicis Fabricius, 1801 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), very appreciated larvae in Côte d’Ivoire compared with beef (N'Dama breed) and thon (Thunnus thynnus)

Abstract

In Côte d’Ivoire, the larvae of the oil palm weevil, Rhynchophorus phoenicis, are appreciated and consumed by rural and urban populations. However, many people are unaware of the nutritional qualities of these larvae. The objective of this study was to compare the nutritional value of these larvae with that of the beef and fish usually consumed. The different nutritional components of late stage larvae, beef and fish were determined from standard analytical methods. Moisture contents of 25.66 ± 0.05; 60.47 ± 0.08 and 39 ± 0.28 mg / 100 g, lipid 39.14 ± 0.01; 12.47 ± 0.05 and 1.26 ± 0.005 mg / 100 and protein of 29.9 ± 0.11; 25.56 ± 0.02 and 22.16 ± 0.15 mg / 100 g were obtained for R. phoenicis, beef and fish, respectively. The ash content was 5.02 ± 0.01; 1.5 ± 0.1 and 0.46 ± 0.57 mg / 100 respectively for R. phoenicis, beef and fish. These three samples are characterised by respective iodine numbers of 161.86 ± 0.1; 142.83 ± 0.2 and 45.5 ± 0.4 I2 / 100 g and saponification of 159.53 ± 0.61; 69.33 ± 0.00 mg KOH / g. Larvae, beef and fish oils have acid values of 3.06 ± 0.01; 6.43 ± 0.05 and 6.33 ± 0.057 KOH / g and peroxides 4.56 ± 0.11; 8.56 ± 0.16 and 7.03 ± 0.05 meq O 2 / kg low. This study shows that late stage R.phoenicis larvae have significant nutrients that are able to balance diets.

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Keywords: Rhynchophorus phoenicis, nutritive composition, edible insects, Côte d’Ivoire