|
Abstract : |
Proximate and chemical analysis was carried out on the larva, larval protein and oil, of Rhynchophorus phoenicis (F.). The chemical score of the protein was evaluated. A high total carbohydrate (35.58% wet weight) and protein (31.61% wet weight) content was observed. The protein was rich in the essential amino acids (with histidine, methionine and phenylalanine being very high) and has a protein score of 72.97% with valine as the limiting amino acid. The oil had a high proportion (60.91%) of unsaturated fatty acids, part of which were the essential fatty acids, linoleic acid and linolenic acid. The mineral analysis revealed a very high sodium (20.29 mg/100 g) content with moderate levels of iron, copper and manganese (4.50 mg/100 g, 2.61 mg/100 g and 2.31 mg/100 g, respectively), very low potassium (0.15 mg/100 g) and low calcium/potassium ratio (0.10)., |
